Sandwick edge out Yell in division one badminton clash
Last week’s badminton league matches were all fairly close, Sandwick A beating Yell A in division one and Unst B beating Yell B and Gulberwick in division three.
John Leask and Son Division One
Yell A 4, Sandwick A 5
Unfortunately Sandwick were only able to field two women so they started the match 3-0 down.
The first mixed was won by Audrey Leask and Graham Keith 21-15, 18-21, 21-18 in a tense three setter against Zoe Anderson and Kevin Smith.
This stirred up the Sandwick team who then all put in a good performance. The second mixed was won by Norman and Kirstin Sineath 21-18, 21-19 against Annette Gear and an under-the-weather Ross Keith.
Zoe Anderson and Kirstin Sineath had a good win over Annette Gear and Audrey Leask 21-18, 21-18 (the only women’s doubles able to be played).
Sandwick took all the men’s doubles comfortably in straight sets, to redeem themselves and win the match 5-4.
A sociable cup of tea and chat was had before the ferry had to be caught.
Players of the match were Sandwick’s Kirstin Sineath, a good up-and-coming junior, winning her two games while it was a good team performance from the men. For Yell it was their third lady!
Division Three
Yell C 4, Unst B 5
The first mixed was a close fought match with Carly Gray and Stuart Bruce playing for Yell and Derek Sutherland and Karen Priest for Unst. It was tense game, going to three sets with Carly and Stuart securing it for Yell 23-21, 18-21, 21-17.
Daniel Nisbet and Tammie Fraser overcame Gordon Thomson and Desley Stickle 22-20, 21-17. Unst came back in the third mixed with Frank Josephs and Belle Spence winning 21-17, 21-15 against Alec Brown and Sarah Drever.
The men’s doubles were all won by Unst in straight sets. In the women’s doubles Yell won the first two games with ease but the third was a tough three-set battle. Karen and Belle pressured Carly and Sarah in the last game to win the match 21-17, 21-18, 21-11.
Burra 3, Gulberwick 6
No report was received.
Unst B 5, Gulberwick 4
There was not much to choose between the top mixed teams with Derek Sutherland and Karen Priest just missing out on the final leg 19-21 against the Gulberwick pairing of Brian Hill and Jenna McDonnell.
The second pairing saw Unst veterans Frank Josephs and Belle Spence overcome Grant Anderson and Chelsea Jamieson in two straight sets.
The final mixed game went to three sets with the Gulberwick pair of Andrew Anderson and Sarah Drever coming out on top 21-14 in the final set against Jordan Johnson and Desley Stickle.
Belle and Desley beat Chelsea and Sarah 21-17, 21-12. Karen and Desley were then beaten 21-18, 21-7 by the Gulberwick pair Jenna and Sarah and finally the Unst girls Karen and Belle beat Jenna and Chelsea 21-13, 21-19.
The first men’s doubles saw Unst lads Frank and Jordan take on Grant and Andrew with the Unst pair winning 21-13, 21-14.
The closest game of the match then took place between Derek and Jordan against the Gulberwick pair Brian and Andrew. Some fine rallies were exchanged but in the end Brian and Andrew came through 17-21, 21-14, 21-16.
The final game saw Derek and Frank win the match 5-4 for Unst by overcoming Brian and Grant in straight sets.
Players of the match were Belle for the home team and Jenna, Chelsea and Sarah for Gulberwick.
The Gulberwick team said they would like to thank the three junior girls who turned out for them due to injury to the Gulberwick women. They were impressed with their commitment and spirit competing against the older folk from Unst.
