The following articles appeared in Aberdeen Journals Green Final on the dates indicated, subject to editorial adjustment.
Following the summer close down the Aberdeen and District Badminton League started its 98/99 season at the end of September. This new season sees the League supporting four divisions of mixed and gents teams and one ladies division. The League's 22 badminton clubs have entered a total of 46 individual teams into the League.
Malcolm Campbell the League Secretary is reminding clubs and players about the North East Restricted Badminton Tournament. This annual event, which includes both handicap and open events, will take place at Kincorth and Hazlehead Academies from the 26 to the 31 October 98. Entry forms for the tournament can be obtained from Andy Alexander, the Tournament Organiser (Telephone Aberdeen 740366), your club officials or from the League's own Web Site at the following address.
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~braesplc/northeastbadminton/
Match secretaries are reminded that all match scorecards this season, should be returned to Malcolm Campbell the League Secretary at 55 Braeside Place, Aberdeen, AB15 7TX (email address: [email protected])
Look for the first results next week.
The League fixtures for the first half of the season are:
See attached fixtures:
Malcolm Campbell
5 October 1998
Tel Abdn 317327
Cults "A" got of to a flier in Division 1 of the Mixed League winning their opening match against Racquets "A" by 6 rubbers to 3. Jasper Naylor and Lynne Macfarlane were the top couple winning all three rubbers, though they were taken to 3 sets by Alan Keith and Lesley Yule. Division 2 of the Mixed League saw Westhill gain two valuable away points in defeating Ellon Victoria by 6 rubbers to 3.
The first Gents League return resulted in newly relegated Grampian Police going down to Exiles at Torry in Division 3, also by a score of 6-3. In the opening fixture of the Ladies League played at the BP Exel Sports Centre at Dyce, Portlethen and the hosts BP Exel fought out a 2 all draw.
Clubs are asked to take note of an important change to the rules of badminton which became operative from the 1st August. Setting in matches will now only apply at 14 all in doubles play and at 10 all in ladies singles. Setting in all cases is now 3 points. This may help to shorten the length of closely contested matches!
The draw for this years senior Crombie Cup competition was made earlier this week and saw Upper Deeside being paired against the holders Aberdeen in the first round. This match requires to be played by Sunday the 29 November. The winner will go on to play Ellon in the semi final. The other semi final is between Peterhead and Inverurie. The semi finals require to be played by the 14 February 1999.
Finally it is great sadness that we report the death of Robert McCoig, considered by many to be the greatest player Scotland has produced.
FINISH
Malcolm Campbell Aberdeen and District Badminton League Secretary 13/10/98
Division One Gents Champions Gordonians kept last season's form going with a solid opening 7-2 home victory against Ellon Victoria. That win puts them in pole position at the top of that Division.
The Mixed League saw newly promoted Portlethen clinch a thrilling away win against Racquets "B" in Division One. A 6-3 win puts them equal on points with Cults "A" at the top. This despite a sterling performance from Racquets "vets" Dave Plank and Margaret Sked, who narrowly missed out on taking 3 rubbers. Away victories were the name of the game with Beacon recording a fine 6-3 win against Meadows at Ellon. Ian Robb and F Coull capped a good performance with 3 rubbers all won in straight sets.
An impressive start has been made to starting up a Junior Badminton League in the north east. North East Badminton Group Convener, Susan Spence reported that the initial response to the Junior League had been very encouraging with some 20 teams wishing to take part. This included teams from Banff in the north to Stonehaven in the south, in addition to teams from Aberdeen. The League is based on a model used in Glasgow, which saw numbers rise from 7 teams in the first year to up to 100, three to four seasons later. The Junior League is restricted to children of secondary school age at the present time, but it is hoped that the age groups can be extended in coming seasons. Clubs or schools interested in participating in the Junior League should contact Susan's husband Gordon on Aberdeen 636184.
Finally the north east's premier tournament for club players "The North East Restricted", gets underway at Kincorth Academy on Monday 26 October and runs through to the finals on Saturday the 31 October.
FINISH
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League Secretary
20 October 1998
Ellon Victoria's poor start to the season in Division One of the Gents League continued when they were beaten 9 rubbers to love at home by a CAS. The CAS team was revitalised by the inclusion of Gordon Spence, returning after a difficult injury. Meanwhile Beacon's Gents team, a useful blend of youth and experience, had a successful return to Division 2, with an excellent 7-2 away win against BP Exel at Dyce.
Portlethen's comprehensive defeat of Aberdeen University, by 9 rubbers to love at Portlethen Academy, saw them take an early lead in the Gents Division Two League. Additions to their player pool, Graham Gammack and Craig Stewart, have clearly strengthened their bid to gain promotion this season.
Cults "B" emulated the winning start of their "A" squad with a very solid 9-0 defeat of Meadows at Cults Community Centre. This leaves Meadows pointless after two matches and they will have to bounce back quickly to lift themselves out of the relegation zone of Division 3 of the Mixed League.
It is with disappointment that we report that RGU Badminton club has not been able to field teams in the Mixed and Gents Leagues this season. Bridge of Don Badminton club has also announced that it has had to pull its Mixed team out of Division 4 of the League due to a shortage of ladies. This is a problem that unfortunately is affecting a number of clubs at the moment. Hopefully these teams will return to the League next season.
Finally if you can find time to pull yourself away from your Halloween celebrations, please try to make the finals of the North East Restricted Tournament, being played at Kincorth Academy this evening.
FINISH
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League Secretary
27 October 1998
Results of League matches played in the past two weeks, saw Grampian Police record a tight 5-4 away victory against Aberdeen University in the Gents Division 3 League. Portlethen's winning start to the season, in the same Division, was repeated when they defeated 71 Club by 9 rubbers to 0 at Fernielea. 71 Club's bad run continued with Exiles also beating them by 9 rubbers to 0. This takes Exiles into second spot behind Portlethen in that Division.
In Division 2 of the Mixed League BP Exel were granted a 9-0 walkover against Kaimhill, who could not field a team. They then followed that up with a fine 5-4 away victory against Westhill, with Maureen McFarland and John McManus winning three times. Cults "B" continued their good start to the season with a solid 7-2 win against Beacon in Division 3 of the Mixed League.
The North East Restricted Badminton Tournament was recently concluded at Kincorth Academy. Steve Thomson had a successful return to the Granite City, defeating clubmate David Bennett (15-13, 15-10) in the final of the Mens Singles Open. Steve also won the Mens Doubles Open with Graham Willox, defeating Colin and Graham Ross (15-8, 15-13). He lost out in clinching three titles, when Susan Spence and himself were beaten by defending champions Colin Ross and Robin Huthwaite (15-12, 15-13), in the final of the Mixed Doubles Open Final.
The Ladies Singles Open, which was played on a round robin basis was won by last year's winner Anne Shipley, with CAS clubmate Lisa Douglas the runner up. The Ladies Doubles Open Final was closely contested, with Maureen McFarland and Shona Gatt edging out Anne Shipley and Pam Cowell (14-17, 15-9, 15-6), in three sets. The Mixed Doubles (Handicap) Final also featured Maureen and Shona, however in this instance they were beaten in three sets by Anne Shipley and Rachael Rennie (15-2, 8-15,15-3).
The Mens Doubles (Handicap) Final was won by the Portlethen pairing of Craig Stewart and Roy Paton, who defeated Ian Robb and Neil Smith (15-12, 15-11). The Mixed Doubles (Handicap) Final, an all Racquets affair, was secured by Alan Keith and Louise Yule (11-15, 15-8, 15-8), against Alan Denny and Ava Gray. Junior, Calum Menzies had a successful tournament winning both the Under 14 and Under 18 Boys Singles Events. Richard MacKay and Thomas Longhurst were the respective runners up in the two events.
Last but not least, the final of the Seniors Mens Doubles event brought success to Robert Glennie and newcomer Bruce Robertson. Dave Plank and Ian Pratt were the runners up. The Senior Mixed Doubles Event was won by last year's winners Anne Shipley and Ian Robb, with Maureen McFarland and Dave Plank the runners up.
FINISH
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League Secretary
10 November 1998
The first results of Fetteresso's participation in the Leagues were received this week. The defending Division One Mixed Champions started where they left off last season with two fine victories, on consecutive days. They firstly recorded a tight 5-4 home win against a strong Cults team and followed this up with a convincing 9-0 win over Division 1 newcomers Portlethen.
Fetteresso's two Gents outfits also got away to winning starts, with the "A" team winning 6-3 at Ellon in Division One and the "B" team recording a 7 rubbers to 2 home victory over ELF in Division Two. Ellon's defeat leaves them firmly on the bottom of Division One and their next match against Racquets in December could be crucial to them retaining their Division One status.
Portlethen were in action twice recently in the Ladies Division, with mixed fortunes. They won by 4 rubbers to 0 at Banchory, however they were on the wrong end of the same score in their match against CAS.
The League's annual Club Doubles Tournament is due to take place in January 1999 and full details of the competition will be sent out to clubs in early December. It will feature mixed, gents and ladies doubles events, which are all played under handicap. If you wish to find out more about the tournament, please contact the League Secretary, Malcolm Campbell.
FINISH
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League Secretary
17 November 1998
There was a flurry of action in the badminton leagues these past two weeks. This saw teams from Banchory and Summerhill in action for the first time this season. Division one of the mixed league saw Cults "A" move to the top of the league with a 7-2 victory over Racquets "B".
In Division three of the mixed league 4 matches were played with 3 of them involving Banchory. Cults "B" sought to stretch their lead at the top with an 8-1 win over Banchory, however they were pulled back a bit by Aberdeen University who beat them 5-4 at the Butchart Sports Centre. The University was also involved in a 5-4 away victory over Banchory. Banchory had better luck at Ellon where they defeated Meadows 8-1.
Summerhill ladies made their debut in the ladies league against the League Champions Racquets with a creditable 3-1 defeat. CAS meanwhile moved Portlethen off the top spot with a solid 3-1 victory over Banchory. CAS gents followed suit and moved to the top of Division one of the mens league with a 6-3 away victory over current champions Gordonians.
The mens Division two league saw Summerhill in action twice with 8-1 victories over Beacon at home and ELF at their sports centre in Bridge of Don. ELF had better luck against BP Exel with a tight 5-4 win. These results see Summerhill dug in at the top of the division with BP Exel stuck at the bottom.
FINISH
Please find below the latest badminton league tables. I would be obliged if they could be included in the Evening Express this Saturday under the column "Latest League Positions".
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District League Secretary
24 November 98
PORTLETHEN WIN DIVISION 3 PROMOTION THRILLER
Portlethen won a vital promotion thriller against Exiles in Division 3 of the Gents League by 6 rubbers to 3. Exiles defeat of Aberdeen University by 7 rubbers to 2 at Torry still sees Exiles stay on top by virtue of superior rubbers. Portlethen do however have a game in hand. This week saw the first matches in Division 4 of the Gents League played. Civil Service was in action twice, losing out narrowly by 5 rubbers to 4 to both Bridge of Don and Banchory. The Deeside team moved clear at the top of that Division with a 5-4 away victory over Bridge of Don. Division 4 currently only has three teams competing, due to the late withdrawal of RGU. The Division will be boosted, however, with the entry of The Pecten Club into the League. Details of the Pecten Club, who play out of Woodbank House have been sent out to the relevant clubs.
CAS confirmed their Division One Gents League title ambitions with a 9-0 win over Racquets. This moves CAS clear at the top of that Division. Beacon kept open their title aspirations in Division 3 of the Gents League with a 5 rubbers to 4 victory over Fetteresso "B".
CAS also moved quickly to the top of Division 1 of the Mixed League with two 9-0 victories over Racquets and Cults CC, respectively. Ellon Victoria had a fruitful 3 days in November recording 2 victories in Division 2 of the Mixed League. The first was a 5-4 away win at the BP Exel Club. The second a convincing 9-0 home victory over Summerhill. This moves them level on points with BP Exel at the top of the Division, who had a fine 6-3 away victory over Summerhill. Division 4 of the Mixed League saw Elf comprehensively defeat 71 Club by 8 rubbers to 1.
In the Ladies Division CAS stretched their lead at the top with a 4 rubbers to 0 win over Cults at Cults Community Centre. Summerhill Ladies recorded their first win in the Division, again by a 4-0 scoreline. The luckless opponents were Banchory.
Dates for the League's Annual Tournament have now been agreed. These are Sunday the 24 and 31 January 1999, at the BP Exel Sports Centre. Entry forms have now been despatched to clubs.
FINISH
Please find below the latest badminton league tables. I would be obliged if they could be included in the Evening Express this Saturday under the column "Latest League Positions".
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League
8 December 1998
Fetteresso Claim Top Spot
Fetteresso took over top spot in Division One of the Mixed League with an 8-1 win over Racquets "A". This moves them 2 points clear of CAS. Division Two of the same League saw Summerhill get of the mark with a 6-3 victory over Westhill. This Division has unfortunately been reduced to four teams with the withdrawal of Kaimhill Badminton Club. Beacon's title aspirations in Division Three of the Mixed League were confirmed with a 6 rubbers to 3 victory over Banchory, with I Robb and H Alexander claiming three of the rubbers.
Racquets were in action twice in Division One of the Mens League, unfortunately losing out to Fetteresso 7-2 and to Gordonians by 6 rubbers to 3. There is no change at the head of that Division, however, with CAS still clear at the top, by virtue of a having more rubbers. In Division Two of the Mens League Summerhill and Beacon share the lead. Results in that Division saw BP Exel lose to Fetteresso "B" 6-3 and to Summerhill, also by the same score. Beacon defeated Elf by 6 rubbers to 3 at the Beacon Sports Centre in Bucksburn. Portlethen confirmed their promotion credentials in Division Three with a 7-2 away victory over Grampian Police. This takes them 2 points clear at the halfway stage.
Racquets moved up into second spot in the Ladies League with a 3-1 win over Cults CC and a 2-2 draw with BP Exel. Cults CC moved off the bottom of that Division with a solid 4-0 win over Summerhill.
FINISH
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League Secretary
15 December 1998
JUNIOR LEAGUE GETS OFF THE GROUND
A Junior Badminton League is now ready to be launched and the first event will commence on Sunday the 31 January. The League is being organised by the Activ-8-Badminton Planning Group and a further two sessions are planned for the 28 February and the 25 April. The events are being held at the Beach Leisure Centre in Aberdeen and will feature junior players from secondary schools, from throughout the north-east. For those interested in attending, the events commence at 9.30 and run onto 13.30.
The second half of the League season started last week and 5 results have already been posted. Division One of the Mixed League saw wins for both Portlethen and Cults CC "A". The luckless victims were the two Racquets teams. Racquets "B" lost 8-1 to Portlethen, with Bobby Farrer and Alice Noble the sole winners for the losers. Racquets "A" lost narrowly by 5 rubbers to 4 to the Deeside club, with Jasper Naylor and Anne Christiansen taking all three of their rubbers.
In Division Two of the Mixed League, Ellon Victoria got their revenge on Westhill beating them 7-2 at Westhill Academy and moving 2 points clear at the top of that Division. Cults "B" stretched their lead at the top of Division Three of the Mixed League with a comprehensive 7-2 win at Banchory.
The sole gents result returned saw Grampian Police all but scupper Exiles hopes of taking the title in Division Three. In a closely contested match at the Beach Leisure Centre, the "force" edged through 5-4 in rubbers, 10-11 in games and 248 to 246 in points.
The League's annual Club Doubles Tournament gets underway at the BP Exel Sports Centre this Sunday, with the Ladies and Gents Doubles. The event commences at 9am and runs through till 5pm. The Mixed Doubles takes place the following Sunday, with a 12.30 start.
The outstanding fixtures from the first half of the season are listed below. Clubs are asked to get the results to the League Secretary as soon as possible. Matches not yet played should be arranged and played as soon as possible.
GENTS
Division 1
Racquets Vs Ellon Victoria
Division 3
University Vs 71 Club
MIXED
Division 1
Fetteresso Vs CAS
Racquets Vs Racquets "B"
Portlethen Vs Racquets
Racquets Vs CAS
Racquets Vs Fetteresso
CAS Vs Portlethen
Cults CC Vs Portlethen
Division 3
Beacon Vs University
University Vs Cults CC "B" (to be replayed)
University Vs Meadows (to be played early in 1999)
LADIES
Cults CC Vs BP Exel
CAS Vs BP Exel
FINISH
PS. Is it possible to get the article in this week please.
Thanks.
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League
19 January 1999
BP EXEL CLUB RECORD TRIPLE SUCCESS AT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
The BP Exel Club produced a memorable treble at the Aberdeen and District Badminton League's 1999 Club Doubles Tournament. Couples from BP tasted success in the Ladies Doubles, Mixed Doubles (Class "B") and the Gents Doubles (Class "B") Events. The Tournament commenced at the BP Exel Sports Centre on Sunday 24 January and started at 9am with the Ladies Doubles. Couples were entered from Racquets, Fetteresso, CAS, Portlethen and the home club BP Exel. Maureen McFarland and Debbie Milne from BP got of to a flier with straight sets wins against Lisa Douglas and Anne Shipley of CAS and Fiona Rice and Vicky McGillivray of Portlethen. They then faltered losing in three sets to Marion Wands and Shona Gatt of Racquets. They rallied to pull out a vital win in their last match defeating Pam Cowell and Pauline Duncan of Fetteresso, again in three sets. That win was enough to see them edge out CAS, by one of a difference in games won and lost. Fetteresso and Racquets finished third and fourth in the Section, respectively. Last year's Class "B" winners, Portlethen were not in luck this time and finished up with the wooden spoon.
The Gents Doubles event played in the afternoon featured both "A" and "B" Sections. Class "A" comprised of couples from five clubs; Racquets, Fetteresso, CAS, Gordonians and Portlethen. The Class "A" event was won convincingly by Jasper Naylor and Alan Fish of Gordonians, who took full advantage of their handicap to win all their four matches in straight sets. Three couples finished with two wins apiece. These were Craig Stewart and Roy Paton of Portlethen, Bobby Farrer and Colin Anderson of Racquets and Steve Morrice and Mathew Hodgson of CAS. The wooden spoon in this section was taken by top seeds Graham Ross and Jason Guyan, who were perhaps over-burdened by their low handicap.
The Class "B" event featured four couples, from Fetteresso, Exiles, Portlethen and BP Exel. In a closely contested section, BP Exel, represented by Mike Kinghorn and Jason Labrooy won all their matches to record the second victory of the day for the home club. This required a three set win over runners up and seasoned campaigners, Grant Scott and Jimmy Wilson of Exiles. Ross Watson and Richard Saterley from Fetteresso finished third in the Section with Neil McEwan and Merv Dias of Portlethen in fourth place.
The Mixed Sections of the League Tournament commenced at 12.30pm, on Sunday the 31 January. Section "A" was made of couples from Racquets, Fetteresso, Portlethen, and Cults CC. The winners were Neil Stewart and Tracy Archibald from Portlethen, who won all their rubbers Alan Keith and Louise Yule of Racquets, were runners up with Paul Wilson and Margaret Duncan of Fetteresso unable to retain the title they won last year, despite a spirited performance. Lynne McFarlane and Jasper Naylor of Cults were forced to retire after Jasper was unable to continue after injury.
Section "B" saw Maureen McFarland of BP Exel, in partnership with Mark Wallace collect her second title of the Tournament and BP'S third. Runners up were Racquets stalwarts, Dave Plank and Margaret Sked. The other two teams participating were CAS (Bob Glennie and Heather Wallace) and Beacon (Neil Smith and Janice Gordon).
League results posted the past two weeks saw Cults CC "A" moving clear at the top of Division One of the Mixed League with an 8-1 home win over Portlethen. In the same Division Racquets "A" narrowly edged out their "B" team 5-4. Westhill had a good away win over BP Exel at Dyce winning by 5 rubbers to 4. Gents League's results saw BP defeat ELF 5-4 in Division 2 and Portlethen beat 71 Club 9-0 in Division 3. In the Ladies League, Portlethen recorded a closely contested 2-2 draw with Racquets, whilst Cults CC won 4-0 at Banchory.
FINISH
Please find below the latest badminton league tables. I would be obliged if they could be included in the Evening Express this Saturday under the column "Latest League Positions".
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League
2 February 1999
League results posted the past few weeks saw Cults CC "A" moving clear at the top of Division One of the Mixed League with an 8-1 home win over Portlethen. In the same Division Racquets "A" narrowly edged out their "B" team 5-4. Westhill had a good away win over BP Exel at Dyce winning by 5 rubbers to 4, in Division Two of the Mixed League. Meanwhile Cults CC "B" continued their march towards Division 2 badminton next season with two gutsy 5-4 away wins over bottom club Meadows and nearest challengers Beacon. Beacon and Meadows also fought out a 5-4 match with the Ellon club still failing to record their first victory of the season. In the same Division Banchory recorded a 6-3 away win over Aberdeen University.
CAS recorded two 7-2 wins over Racquets and Ellon Victoria, respectively in the Gents Division One League. This takes them 6 points ahead of Gordonians and keeps their recent opponents firmly entrenched at the bottom of the Division One table. Other Gents League's results saw BP defeat ELF 5-4 and Summerhill defeat the same luckless opponents, ELF by 8 rubbers to 1. This keeps Summerhill well clear at the top of the Division 2. Portlethen beat 71 Club 9-0 in Division 3 as did Grampian Police (by 6 rubbers to 3) and University (by 5 rubbers to 4). The one result posted in Division Four sees Banchory stay top, with a 9-0 win over Bridge of Don. In the Ladies League, Portlethen recorded a closely contested 2-2 draw with Racquets, Cults CC won 4-0 at Banchory and BP Exel defeated Summerhill by 4 rubbers to 0. CAS still remain top, but only on rubbers from Racquets.
FINISH
N.B. Is it possible to get the article in Wednesday's Evening Express, if there is no room in the Green Final?
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League
17 February 1999
ELLON STORM THROUGH TO CROMBIE CUP FINAL
Ellon upset favourites Aberdeen to storm through to the final of this year's Crombie Cup. A strong team consisting of Graham Willox, Anne Shipley, Colin McLeay, Maureen McFarland, Alan Keith and Louise Yule were too good on the day for Aberdeen. The final score for the match, which was played at the BP Exel Sports Centre was 9-0 for Ellon. The Aberdeen team, whilst strong on paper never really got going and their misery was compounded when they were forced to concede some rubbers due to injury and lack of time. Ellon now go on to meet Inverurie in the final, the Gaioch club eliminating Peterhead in the other semi-final.
There was considerable activity in the Gents League this past week, with results in from Divisions 2,3 & 4. Beacon won 5-4 at Fetteresso to remain in second place behind promotion favourites Summerhill, in Division Two. In Division Three Aberdeen University lost 5-4 to top club Portlethen, whilst Exiles easily demolished 71 Club by 9 rubbers to 0. Division Four saw newcomers Pecten in action twice, winning 5-4 against Bridge of Don and losing 6-3 to Civil Service. This still leaves Banchory firmly at the top of that Division.
The one result from the Mixed League, Division One saw Racquets step up a gear and defeat Portlethen 8-1. In the Ladies League BP Exel won 4-0 against bottom Club Banchory to go top of the table on rubbers played.
The North East Junior Restricted Tournament was played last weekend at Hazlehead Academy and full results of that tournament can be found on the League's Web Site at: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~braesplc/northeastbadminton/
The next round of matches in the Activ-8 Junior Badminton League, begin at the Beach Leisure Centre tomorrow.
Finish
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League Secretary
24 February 1999
JUNIOR BADMINTON LEAGUE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
The Activ-8 Junior Badminton League held its second session at the Beach Leisure Centre on Sunday 28 February 99. Like the first time, held in January, 23 teams participated from across the North East, involving 92 children. Each team was well supported by their Team Captains/Coaches. A full report of the matches and all the results will be posted on the League's Web Site at the following address. The next session will take place on Sunday 25 April 1999.
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~braesplc/northeastbadminton/
Results were received from 8 matches in the Aberdeen and District Badminton League this week. In the first Division of the Mixed League, CAS recorded another convincing victory, beating Racquets "B" 9-0. This takes them to the top of the Division, though they still have some outstanding scorecards from the first half of the season. In Division Two Summerhill played twice and lost twice. They were beaten 7-2 by Westhill and lost narrowly by 5-4 to Ellon Victoria, who now move to the top of the Division. In Division 3 Banchory defeated Meadows 5-4.
Three matches were played in Division 4 of the Gents League. Banchory remain as pace setters after winning by 6-3 against Civil Service. Shell Pecten were in action twice losing 6-3 to Bridge of Don and also to Civil Service. In the last match two of their players incurred injuries, whilst playing. One of the injuries was a snapped Achilles tendon injury and we wish both players speedy recoveries. Portlethen defeated Summerhill 4-0 to move top of the Ladies League.
A date has now been set for the final of the Crombie Cup, which will be contested by Ellon and Inverurie. It is Saturday 13 March at Ellon Academy.
FINISH
Please find below the latest badminton league tables. If there is room, I would be obliged if they could be included in the Evening Express this Saturday under the column "Latest League Positions".
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League
03 March 1999
Results of matches are flooding in now as the League season draws to a close. In Division One of the Mixed League results of CAS's matches, both home and away against Fetteresso were received. Both results were 8-1 wins for CAS; they were not however sufficient to keep them at the top of the League. Cults CC's away victories over Portlethen (6-3) and Racquets "B" (5-4) put the Deeside club 2 points clear at the top, though CAS do have three games in hand.
One result from Division Three of the Mixed League, Beacon's 7-2 win over Aberdeen University, confirmed the Bucksburn Club's position as the team with the best chance of overtaking Cults CC "B". In the Ladies League Portlethen recorded a convincing 4-0 victory over Cults CC, which puts them into a clear lead in that League, with the finishing straight now in sight.
Excitement mounts in Division Two of the Gents League as Beacon defeat BP Exel 5-4 and also edge out promotion favourites Summerhill 5-4, to overtake them at the top. Summerhill do, however have a game in hand, which they now need to win. Portlethen have clinched the Division Three title with a 7-2 win over Grampian Police. Exiles slim hopes all but vanished when they lost 5-4 to the University in a very close match at the Butchart Recreation Centre.
Clubs are reminded to return all scorecards to the League Secretary as soon as possible and complete their matches before the season ends on the 31 March 99.
FINISH
Please find below the latest badminton league tables. If there is room, I would be obliged if they could be included in the Evening Express this Saturday under the column "Latest League Positions".
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League
09 March 1999
CROMBIE JOY FOR ELLON
Ellon recorded a famous victory on Saturday the 13 March, defeating Inverurie in the final of this season's Crombie Memorial Cup. The same Ellon team which saw off Cup favourites, Aberdeen in the semi-finals, was too good for an Inverurie side largely made up of players from the Racquets Club. The result of the match played at Ellon Academy was 7-2. Ellon won all the mixed doubles and the ladies doubles games, conceding two games in the gents doubles.
CAS are dominating the Aberdeen Leagues this season. Drawing from the strongest pool of players in the League, they have clinched the Division One Mixed title, the Ladies League title and are close to also securing the Division One Gents title. Summerhill are making a quick return to Division One after topping Division 2. They won their last match against BP Exel 9-0, whilst their nearest challengers Beacon conceded their final match to ELF. Two Other titles decided are Division Three and Four of the Gents League won by Portlethen and Banchory respectively. ELF won the Division Four title in the Mixed League. The other Divisions look like they will go to the last matches of the season to find a winner. Clubs are reminded to complete all their matches before March 31.
RESULTS
Gents:
Division 1
Fetterresso 8 Ellon 1
Racquets 4 Fetteresso 5
Gordonians 5 Racquets 4
Division 2
Fetteresso "B" 0 Summerhill 9
Summerhill 9 BP Exel 0
ELF 9 Beacon 0
Division 3
Exiles 2 Portlethen 7
Division 4
Pecten 3 Banchory 6
Pecten 6 Civil Service 3
Mixed:
Division 1
Racquets "A" 3 Fetteresso 6
Fetteresso 7 Portlethen 2
Cults CC 4 Fetteresso 5
Racquets "B" 3 Fetteresso 6
CAS 9 Racquets 0
CAS 9 Portlethen 0
Portlethen 4 CAS 5
CAS 9 Cults CC 0
Division 4
ELF 9 "71" Club 0
Ladies:
Division 1
BP Exel 0 CAS 4
CAS 4 Summerhill 0
Racquets 1 CAS 3
Cults CC 2 BP Exel 2
FINISH
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League
24 March 1999
CAS won their third title of the season when they defeated Fetteresso in their final match 5-4, this despite Gordonians inflicting the first defeat of the season on the Division One pacesetters. The 5-4 defeat by Gordonians was the first loss suffered by any of the CAS League teams this season. Heroes for Gordonians, last season's champions, were the pairing of Martin Stuart and Craig Walker who won all three of their rubbers. Gordonians unfortunately did not continue the good work, conceding their away match to Ellon Victoria 9-0. They did, however, defeat Fetteresso 5-4 in their last match of the season to finish second in the League. Two victories were posted by Fetteresso "B" in Division Two of the Gents League. Five-four wins were recorded against ELF and BP Exel, the latter team finishing bottom of the League.
Grampian Police defeated Aberdeen University 5-4 in their final match of the season, a result which sees them clinch second place in Division Three, six points behind Portlethen. Division Four champions Banchory, suffered their first defeat of the season by 5-4 to newcomers Shell Pecten. In the same Division Civil Service won their last match 5-4 against Bridge of Don.
A late result in Division One of the Mixed League confirmed CAS's position as the top team, the champions registered a 7-2 win over Racquets "B". Two results were posted in Division Two of the Mixed League. BP Exel were in action twice, beating Champions Ellon Victoria 6-3 and then losing by the same score to bottom club Summerhill. In Division Three of the Mixed League Aberdeen University defeated Cults CC "B" 5-4 and then conceded their other fixture against the Deeside Club 9-0. This confirms Cults as Division Three Champions. Runners-up were Beacon, who won their last two matches 7-2 against Banchory and 8-1 against the University. The last match in the Ladies League involved Racquets and Banchory, with last year's champions winning 4-0. This was not enough to lift Racquets into second place above Portlethen.
There are still several matches outstanding in Divisions One of the Mixed and Gents Leagues and in Division Three of the Mixed League. The cards for these matches should be returned as soon as possible, otherwise the matches will be declared null and void.
The final session of the Junior Badminton League will take place at the Beach Leisure Centre tomorrow morning, Sunday the 25 April. A large turn out of clubs from across the north east is expected.
Malcolm Campbell
Aberdeen and District Badminton League Secretary
20 April 1999
Please print the article this week (None of the articles that I have sent in the previous three weeks have appeared).
Thank you.