Harry and Ben triumph at end of a busy season.
The prestigious U11 Scottish National Junior Badminton championships were held as usual, at the end of a busy season, at the Scotstoun National Badminton Centre in Glasgow. It provides the platform for the players of tomorrow to show their potential. Five East Lothian Shuttlers entered the Championships but, alas, our only seeded player Katie Taylor, U11 from Dunbar Primary, and her Edinburgh partner Hannah Carlisle both had to with draw due to injury prior to the event.
That left U9 year old Callum Jack, U10 Ben Riddle plus Harry Bent and Finlay Jack, both U11, and all from Law Primary to fly the East Lothian flag. Ben, Finlay and Harry all came through their singles’ pool games to the ‘A’ event while Callum progressed to the ‘B’ event. Matches were challenging in both events for our young players. Harry lost out 21-18 for a place in the quarters while Ben beat Finlay 21-15 to reach the semi-final before losing 21-17 to the eventual winner, Daniel Harris, from Stonehaven.
In the Boys’ Doubles Callum joined forces with older brother Finlay to reach the semi-final in the ‘B’ event as Ben and Harry caused great upsets in the ‘A’ Doubles. This exciting pair lost their only pool game 23-21 to the No. 2 seeds. That allowed them through to the ‘A’ event where they gained revenge for Ben’s singles loss by beating Daniel Harris and his partner 21-18 before tackling their pool winners, who had knocked out the top seeds in the other semi-final. Ben and Harry made few mistakes in the final and raised their game to beat the No.2 seeds 21-10 and take the National U11 Doubles title. What a way to end the season as National U11 Doubles Champions!
