Shuttlers “A” signalled strong intentions of retaining their title in the David King Memorial Inter-Club Badminton Championships 2010, after disposing of Pioneers “A” on Monday night at the gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
In the top-of-the-table clash, Shuttlers defeated Pioneers “A” 4-1, disposing of the biggest threat in Group 1, and virtually securing a second successive trip to the final, which will be staged tomorrow night.
The mixed pair of Kevin Wood and Shakeira Waithe got the early lead with a 23-21, 21-19 victory over Pioneers’ Sabrina Scott and Ryan Holder.
They started shakily, however, as Waithe made many unforced errors at the net. Having trailed for most of the first game, they came back to edge Holder and Scott.
Neither team held the clear advantage in the second game, but Wood and Waithe held on for a close victory.
In the men’s singles, Pioneers’ Andre Padmore pushed Andrew Clarke to all parts of the court, quickly tiring him out.
Whether it was fatigue or just an off night, Clarke made lots of unforced errors, even when he had chances to easily score on the open court, and capitulated 21-10, 21-15, levelling the tie 1-1.
Pioneers were expected to win the women’s singles with national champion Shari Watson, but Mariama Eastmond signalled from the beginning that she was prepared to fight.
She kept pushing Watson to the back court so as to play the drop at the net, and Watson had no response.
Sings of fatigue were clearly evident and Watson made attempts to catch her breath, but Eastmond stayed focused, and continued to apply the pressure.
In the second, Watson made a last-gasp attempt at a comeback, winning four straight points, but Eastmond held her nerve and wrapped up the 21-16, 21-18 upset with a series of spectacular smashes.
Knowing that their backs were against the wall, Pioneers’ men’s doubles team of Holder and Padmore quickly squashed the hopes of the Shuttlers supporters, taking the first game 19-21.
Wood and Thorpe changed tactics in the second and third by playing a flat game, pushing Holder to the back court.
They played the drop for Padmore and when Holder moved to compensate, they created the open space to win the point, roaring back to win the next two games, the match and the tie 19-21, 21-18, 21-18.
The women’s doubles were a formality, and Waithe and Eastmond beat Watson and Scott 21-13, 18-21, 21-19.
Not to be outdone, Shuttlers “B” hammered Pioneers “C” 5-0, and Shuttlers “C” edged Junior “B” 3-2.
Last year’s runners-up Juniors “A” defeated Pioneers “B” 5-0, despite being slightly weakened by the loss of Kelvin Mallett Jr and Bradley Pilgrim who are no longer junior players.
Prior to the start of the matches, the Barbados Badminton Association observed a minute’s silence in honour of late Prime Minister David Thompson.
The association extends sincere condolences to wife Mara and the rest of the family. (PR/SAT)
Results
Group A
Shuttlers “A” 4, Pioneers “A” 1
Men’s Singles: Andre Padmore (Pioneers) def. Andrew Clarke 21-10, 21-15.
Women’s Singles: Mariama Eastmond def. Shari Watson 21-16, 21-18
Men’s Doubles: Dakiel Thorpe/Kevin Wood def. Andre Padmore/.Ryan Holder 19-21, 21-18, 21-18
Women’s Doubles: Mariama Eastmond/Shakeira Waithe def. Shari Watson/Sabrina Scott 21-13, 18-21, 21-19
Mixed Doubles: Kevin Wood/Shakeira Waithe def. Sabrina Scott/Ryan Holder 23-21, 21-19
Shuttlers “C” 3, Juniors “B” 2
Men’s Singles: Carl Broomes def. Mark Trotman 21-16, 21-13
Women’s Singles: Sherene Ward def. Amanda Haywood 21-11, 21-10
Men’s Doubles: Ryan Toppin/Dwight Miller def. Cory Fanus/Jordan Ollivierre 21-15, 21-11
Women’s Doubles: Lisa King and Cheriann Fanus def. Lisa .Fields and Joann West 21-11, 21-10
Mixed Doubles: Ryan Toppin/Beverly Harding def. Carl Broomes/Akila Knight 21-10, 21-16.
Group B
Shuttlers “B” 5, Pioneers “C” 0
Men’s Singles: Nicholas Reifer def. Keith Browne 21-11; 21-9.
Women’s Singles: Tameisha Williams def. Wendy Barrow-Smith walkover.
Men’s Doubles: Nicholas Reifer/Bradley Pilgrim def. Akeem Smith/George Medford 21-3, 21-1.
Women’s Doubles: Tamisha Williams/Chalise Jordan def. Wendy Barrow-Smith/Natalie Campbell walkover.
Mixed Doubles: Athlestone Forde/Chalise Jordan def. Keith Browne/Natalie Campbell walkover.
Juniors “A” 5, Pioneers “B” 0
Men’s Singles: Jevon Gaskin def. Christopher Campbell 21-1, 21-13.
Women’s Singles: Mikeila Carrington def. Claudia Martindale 21-10, 21-12.
Men’s Doubles: Finn West/Shem Scantlebury def. Sheldon Worrell/Dave Waithe 21-10, 21-14.
Women’s Doubles: Monyata Riviera/Mikeila Carrington def. Claudia Martindale/Gloria Chung 21-9, 21-12.
Mixed Doubles: Jevon Gaskin/Monyata Riviera def. Gloria Chung/Dave Waithe 21-18, 22-20.