Bajan duo rocks the boat

BARBADIANS Nicholas Reifer and Mariama Eastmond caused the biggest upset on Day 1 of the third edition of the Chinese Association of Trinidad and Tobago Badminton Tournament in the twin-island republic on Tuesday.Reifer and Eastmond defeated No. 1 seeds Nekeisha Blake and Kerwyn Pantin of Trinidad and Tobago 21-9, 21-18 in their doubles match in St Ann’s, just outside the capital Port-of-Spain.   From the outset, Reifer and Eastmond displayed an extremely controlled game with Eastmond dominating at the net, complemented by good positional play and a strategy of directing their shots to the open spots of the court.  Both played away from Pantin, exposing Blake and making her play many unforced errors. In Game 2, the Barbadian duo moved away from their game plan allowing Pantin to gain control and forcing them out of position at times allowing the Trinidadians to lead for most of the game.  However, Eastmond and Reifer were once again able to seize the advantage after the scores were locked at 16-16 and eventually won the match.  National women’s singles champion Shari Watson also made her presence felt after missing the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, teaming up with Kevin Wood in the mixed doubles to easily dismiss Latoya Riguad and Mattaus Wilford 21-11, 21-14.Summarised scoresJason Ramjass (TRI) def. Shem Scantlebury (BAR) 21-15, 21-17.Nicholas  Reifer (BAR) def. Richard Williams (TRI) 21-1, 21-12.Kevin Wood (BAR) def. Sarajudeen Mohammed (TRI) 21-12, 21-12.Mariama Eastmond/Nicholas Reifer (BAR) def. Nekeisha Blake/Kerwyn Pantin (TRI) 21-9, 21-18. Shari Watson/Kevin Wood (BAR) def. Latoya Rigaud/Mattaus Wilford (TRI) 21-11, 21-14.Kristi Reno Sing/Milind Ogale (TRI) def. Tamisha Williams/Andrew Clarke (BAR) 21-17, 17-21, 21-18. (PR/SAT)