Keith twins remain a top pairing

Shetland Badminton Association held the annual championships for open and handicap events on Sunday at the Clickimin centre.

The men’s doubles were played all in one group and in a round robin format. Kevin Smith and Stuart Sineath got off to a good start by beating Colin Grant and Norman Sineath in the first match.

In the last group match Graham and Gordon Keith faced Kevin and Stuart. Both pairs were on full points so the top two would take the title. The twins attacked well and Kevin and Stuart replied but were forced to make the occasional error. Gordon and Graham continued to apply pressure and won 21-19, 21-18.

In the women’s doubles top seeds Morag Fox and Zoe Anderson topped group A while Diana Jamieson and Anne Wood were top of Group B. In the final Morag and Zoe’s power overcame Diana and Anne 21-15, 21-15 to win the title.

The mixed doubles was a straight knockout competition. In the first round Diana Jamieson and Kevin Smith were successful against Annette Gear and Stuart Sineath 11-21, 21-14, 21-15. Diana and Kevin continued to play well in the semi-final against Anne Wood and Colin Grant but they lost out this time 22-24, 21-16.

In the other half of the drawn Audrey Leask and Graham Keith had a good 21-16, 21-14 win against Morag Fox and Gordon Keith and then 21-15, 21-14 against Louise Hutchison and Norman Sineath to reach the final.

In the final Anne and Colin took the first set 21-11 and looked to be in control of the second, being up 20-17 and looking for match point. Graham and Audrey dug deep, however, and won the second set 22-20. The decider was close throughout but Graham and Audrey won 21-18 to take the title.

The handicap events were run throughout the day and in the final of the men’s doubles John Lowrie Irvine and Owen Strachan won 31-25 against Jim Wood and Brian Hill.

In the women’s doubles handicap Kirsten Sineath and Wilma Sineath had a good win over Vaila Kay and Lorraine Anderson (-14) 31-28.

Mother and daughter team Julie and Caroline Keith (-6) lost out to Jackie Guthrie and Diana Jamieson (-11) and in the final Jackie and Diana won 31-23 against Kirsten and Wilma.

The handicap mixed competition was played in a round robin. Junior players Kirsten and Stuart Sineath had no trouble, winning all their matches to top the group and take the title against the older players.

With all the games played, tournament secretary Audrey Leask introduced Peter Leask from sponsors John Leask & Son to present the trophies. The singles winners from last Monday also received their trophies.

Next week is the turn of the under-15 players starting at 10am at Clickimin. Under-18 players are asked to register at 2.30pm for a 3pm start.

There will be open trials for B county match against Orkney, scheduled for Saturday 28th March at Scalloway games hall from 4.30pm to 8pm. The trials will be held on Monday at the AHS games hall from 6pm 8pm and Wednesday 8-10pm at the Brae games hall. Players are urged to attend both dates but must attend one to be selected.

All senior and junior players are invited except those who played in the A county match against Orkney in 2008.

An under-18 inter-county match is to be played at Sandwick games hall next Saturday from 4pm to 8pm.

The under-13 match against Orkney is scheduled for Sunday from 10am to 2pm at Sandwick. Spectators are welcome.