Badminton: Kelso Open is a big hit
Having had to postpone the event in December, due to adverse weather conditions, organisers were slightly concerned that entrants might not make the new date.
But fears were allayed when players from across the region turned up en masse for the first tournament of 2016.
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Hide AdThe Girls competition got underway first with the top three seeds Jessica Mitchell (Kingsland), Tilly Lucas (Coldingham) and Lucy Bell (Edenside) making it through to the Semi-final knock outs together with Chloe Blackie from Drumlanrig. After some tough ties the Borders squad players made it to the final with Jessica beating Tilly 21-7. The pair then went onto partner each other and win the Doubles competition which was ran as a Round Robin. Chloe Blackie and Sophie Skeet (Jedburgh) were runners-up.
Umpires and coaches decided that Poppie Gibson from Stirches Primary School should receive the ‘Best Girl’ trophy for the enthusiasm, promise and attitude shown throughout the competition.
The boys competition was much busier with 33 entrants from all over the Borders competing in nine round robin groups.
Pool winners were: Duncan Crowe (Coldingham); Keiran Burns (Duns); Finlay Rhind (Duns); Liam Hunter (West Linton); Matthew Domingo (Jedburgh); Charlie Worrell (Coldingham); Daniel Ritchie (Duns); Ben Stewart (Edenside); Finaly McLean (Edenside).
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Hide AdIn the end in a very hotly contested final Keiran Burns managed to overcome the might of Duncan Crowe, 22-20, 21-19.
The B Consolation tournament was won by Archie Langley (Chirnside) who beat Dylan Mann (St Boswells). Dylan also impressed the coaches and umpires with his grit, determination, fair play and lovely positive attitude to win the ‘Best Boy’ Trophy.
In the doubles final Finaly Rhind and Duncan Crowe met Keiran Burns with Charlie Worrell with the former pair victorious.
Organiser Lynn Young would like to thank all the parents who donated raffle prizes and cakes and for helping on the coffee stall which made £80.70p. Also raffle ticket sellers Sophie, Chloe, Poppy and Georgie who helped to raise over £60 for the club; Aiden Lee, Sophie Younger and Craig Younger from Kelso High School badminton club for umpiring for the whole day; Border Badminton group coaches ‑ Pete Hardie and Dave Burns (Duns), Alys Rodwell (West Linton) and Nancy Morrison (Stirches) as well as Judith Younger, Brian Young, Andrew McLean and Linsey Young on technical the table and of course the fantastic janitor Gordon.
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Hide Ad“A huge occasion for the small Kelso Junior Club but well worth all the effort and hard work,” she added. The next competition is the Borders Secondary Schools Tournament on Sunday, January 31. With the Primary Schools event on Saturday, February 20.