Caithness juniors lose out in Orkney inter-county challenge
Caithness Junior Badminton Club came off second best in a hard-fought inter-county challenge against Orkney.
A total of 37 youngsters travelled to the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall to compete across three age groups – under-13s, 15s and 18s – accompanied by 10 coaches/parent helpers.
The three teams were made up of six boys and six girls, with a couple of reserves. They all played one game of singles, one level doubles and one mixed doubles, so a total of 24 matches which were all best of three to 21.
The U13 team comprised Liam Sinclair, Finlay Aitken, Pátraic O’Prey, Jamie Rathie, Jack Sinclair, Cameron Forbes, Sophie Mackay, Sophie Sinclair, Lexie Mackenzie, Emily Mackenzie, April Steven and D’Arcey Taylor. They all played exceptionally well over the course of all the games before Orkney took the win by 14 games to 10.
The U15 team members were Matthew Cook, Dhaill Mackay, Angus Mackay, Finlay McDonald, Ruaridh Kean, Ross Mackay, Sophie Mackay, Freya Mackay, Ashlyn Gunn, Blayr Howden, Erna Thain and Rhea Bruce, with reserves Owen Malcolm and Callum Aitken. They all played tremendously well, with Caithness taking the win by 18 games to six.
The U18s consisted of Arran Johnson, Alexander Mackay, Qida Du, Lewis Malcolm, Brody Mackenzie, Ronin Kean, Chloe Mackenzie, Ava Cook, Chloe Begg, Freya Swanson, Hallie Bremner and Rebecca Henderson. They all played well and tried hard but Orkney came out on top by 20 games to four.
Orkney lifted the shield this year after winning 40-32.
Caithness Junior Badminton Club organiser Kerry Mackenzie said: “A huge thank-you to Orkney for hosting such a good event for the teams, and well done to them on winning.
“A massive well done to our own players who all did so well and should be proud.”
She said the message to the juniors from their coaches is to “keep up the hard work for next year”.
Sponsors that made the trip possible were Dounreay Communities Fund, NorthLink Ferries, A&J Mackay Plumbing and Heating, and Sinclair Glazing and Joinery.