Orkney Inter-County - Season 2008-2009

Contents:- -Home-|-Away-

'A' team win trophy but 'B' struggle - 14/02/09 (Home)

Caithness Badminton 'A' select are celebrating reclaiming the spoils in their annual tussle versus their counterparts from across the Pentland Firth.

Orkney went into Saturday's match in Wick Games Hall handicapped by a 7-5 deficit they incurred in the first leg on the island.

After edging 2-1 wins in both level doubles, Caithness quickly secured the two mixed contests they needed to secure overall victory.

There was consolation for the visitors in the 'B' match in which they scored a runaway win.

Arguably, the mainland county's top performer was Benji Mackay, whose dynamic, high-tempo play ensured he was one of five home players to secure two wins in the 'A' encounter.

Fittingly, his straight sets success with Wick team-mate Donna Majilton over late call-up Ewan Gray and Kim McIntosh clinched the trophy for Caithness.

Earlier, Mackay featured in one of the games of the day when he and Thurso's Martyn Cook prevailed after an epic three-setter versus Stuart Slater and Gary Nicolson.

After losing the second set, the Caithness combination dug in to take the decider with Mackay's accurate and powerful smashing, more than anything else, swinging the contest his side's way.

The only other three setter involved Thurso duo Pam Bain and Jane Grant versus Kim McIntosh and Caithness exile Kath Bremner.

Early unforced errors meant the home pair were always playing catch-up in the first set but they clawed their way back after taking a marathon second set before winning the decider.

Other Caithness players to win both their matches were Mark Mackay, John Durrand, Carole Mowat and Pam Bain.

Caithness, who trailed 8-4 from the Orkney leg of the 'B' match, under-performed in the return with too many playing below par.

Orkney had comfortably secured the silverware before the start of the mixed contests.

Caithness relied on their juniors for their successes in the 9-3 reverse with Lauren Gunn, from Thurso, winning both her games.

report from Iain Grant

Scoresheets

Good results for Caithness leave it wide open in the return - 06/12/08 (Away)

report from Calvin Reid and photos from Rae Slater, both Orkney

Caithness 'A' & 'B' county teams took on Orkney in the first leg of the annual Inter-County match. The match was being sponsored by Aurora Jewellery.

'A' County

3rd Ladies

Both sets of players started nervously but it was the Caithness pair who settled down first to win the first set. They continued this form to win the second set and the match.

3rd Mens

The first set was very close with both sets of players playing tight net shots. Orkney managing to win the set 21-19. Strong play from Caithness at the start of the second set kept them in control to tie the match at one game all. The third set saw Caithness play the more consistent to win the match and put Caithness 2-0 up in the overall match.

2nd Ladies

Orkney managed to take control of this match from the start with Elaine Gray smashing well from the back allowing Moira Nicolson to dominate the net. Orkney winning in two sets.

2nd Mens

Calvin Reid and Trevor Kinghorn struggled to find form losing the first set 15-21, continuing to struggle in the second they saved three match points before battling back to win the set 22-20. Now given a lifeline they started to play better and held a lead throughout the third set to win 2 games to 1.

1st Ladies

Orkney started slowly and were 5-0 down before fighting back to level at 5-5, from here the match was level until Caithness pulled away towards the end of the set. From here Caithness played very well with Orkney trying their hardest, however Caithness won in two sets.

1st Mens

Orkney found the going tough against a very strong Caithness pair. Orkney fought hard without reaching their best form which is much needed in games of this calibre. Caithness winning in two sets.

6th Mixed

Orkney started fantastically well and gained a big lead before Caithness hit back to close the gap. Orkney held their nerve to win the set 21-16. Caithness changed their style of play to good effect in the second to win it comfortably. Orkney tried to combat this in the third but Caithness held on to win two games to one.

5th Mixed

Orkney continued to attack through the first set and deservedly won 21-16, Caithness fought back in the second to gain a few point lead but again Orkney fought back to win the set and the match 21-18.

4th Mixed

The experienced pair of Moira Nicolson and Trevor Kinghorn won the match convincingly in two sets.

3rd Mixed

This match started evenly before Orkney started to take control in the middle of the set. From here on they were always in the lead winning the match 2 - 0.

2nd Mixed

An edgy first set saw the match all square at 15-all before Caithness edged ahead to win the set. From here it was one way traffic in Cathness' favour as Orkney were cuffed in the second set.

1st Mixed

A very even first set reached 20-all before Caithness edged ahead to win 22-20. From here Caithness were in more control in the second set to win 2-0.

After some exciting games Caithness were to secure a rare 7-5 away win, Orkney 'A' team will have to produce a fantastic away performance in February to retain the trophy.

'B' County

Third Ladies

Orkney started off well as youngsters Alison Shearer and Chelsea Cook got over some pre match nerves to win a close first set 21-17. From here they gained real confidence and won the second set convincingly.

Third Mens

The match started well for Orkney as they gained an early lead but Caithness ought back to 15-all. From here Caithness won the final few points to win 21-19. From here Caithness got into their stride to win in two sets.

2nd Ladies

Caithness started well but the Orkney pairs excellent teamwork proved to be too much as they fought their way back to secure a comfortable win in two sets.

2nd Mens

Orkney played a mixture of youth and experience here as Ewan Gray partnered Marty Flett. The combination of Marty's net play and Ewan's power were too much for their opponents to handle as they won in two sets.

1st Ladies

Caithness edged a close first set 21-19 and continued to use their powerful smashing to good effect winning the second 21-15 with Orkney battling to get back on terms.

1st Mens

Both sets were close until Orkney had runs of points to seize the initiative with good serving from Stevie Harvey and well played drop shots from Robbie Norquoy.

6th Mixed

Two close sets but Caithness managed to win the vital last few points to gain a two set win.

5th Mixed

Orkney struggled in the first set with Caithness dominating, however Orkney fought back into contention during the second. With the game tied at 20-all it was Caithness who won the vital last points to claim victory 2-0.

4th Mixed

This was the closest match of both Inter counties, Orkney winning the first set before Caithness hit back in the second to force a third set. With the scores neck and neck it was Orkney who gained the final points to win the set 21-19 and secure a 2-1 win.

3rd Mixed

Orkney got off to a flying start winning the first eight points, from here they were always in control winning the first set. The second set was much closer until 14-all where Orkney stepped up a gear winning the remaining points to win the set 21-14 and a excellent 2-0 win.

2nd Mixed

Orkney won the first set 21-16 before Caithness won the second set comfortably to force a third. From here Orkney played with real dogged determination to win the final set 21-15.

1st Mixed

This match saw lots of long rallies as both sets of players played well. Orkney were driving the shuttle well and gained the upper hand as they won a quality match 2-0.

This left the Orkney 'B' team in the strong position of a 8-4 lead to defend in Caithness during the second leg.

Thanks to The Pickaquoy Centre for their efforts in staging the match and to members of the public who came along to watch. Thanks also to coaches and selectors for their efforts.

Scoresheets

End-of-Document