The National Senior Badminton Championships got under way at the Wildey Gymnasium on Thursday night with the defending men’s and women’s singles champions signalling intentions to retain their titles.
Mariama Eastmond, who is recovering from a left ankle injury sustained earlier in the season, looked impressive as she defeated Tamisha Williams in the first quarter-final 21-15, 21-10. Eastmond’s shot selection was superb as she dominated from the start and never allowed Williams to find a rhythm.
Eastmond will face Sabrina Scott who advanced to the next round of the Caribbean Insurance Alliance Co. Ltd-sponosred tournament with a walkover victory over Suzanne Griffith. Monyata Riveira also secured her spot when she defeated Amanda Haywood21-16, 21-11.
Like Eastmond, Andre Padmore who has been dominant for the entire year, hardly broke a sweat as he dismissed Andre Woodvine 21-2, 21-1 to advance to the quarter-finals where he will face Derion Hurley.
Padmore is on course to meet the dynamic Dakiel Thorpe and his first real test.
The night’s most intriguing battles came on the other side of the draw which saw matchups between Andrew Clarke and D’Andre Thorpe and Athelstone Forde against Damien Howell.
Clarke came from behind after losing the first game to defeat Thorpe 20-22, 21-18, 21-17 in a hard-fought contest. Clarke used his experience to his advantage and also made some spectacular saves to keep the bird in play.
Clarke will face Shem Scantlebury in their quarter-final.
The contest of the night was however the epic battle between Howell and Forde which went down to the wire, with Forde prevailing 18-21, 21-13, 24-22.
The first set saw Forde jump out to a 5-0 lead and later on 18-14. However, Howell scored seven unanswered points to take the first game. In the second game, Forde led at the first interval and did not relinquish the lead to tie the match.
The decisive game, once again saw Forde seize control early and throughout, but on match point, Howell scored five straight points to lock the scores (20-20).
In a premature celebration, Howell then missed a return by Forde which simply floated past him to keep Forde in the game and later allowed Forde to seal the win.
The action continues tonight at 7:30. (PR)
Summarized Scores
Men’s Singles
First round
Greg Padmore defeated Sabeel Foster 21-17, 21-18
Curwin Cherubin def. Cory Fanus 21-16, 21-14
D’Andre Thorpe def. Michael Bourne 21-10, 21-6
Second round
Andre Padmore def. Andre Woodvine 21-2, 21-1
Dakiel Thorpe def. Curwin Cherubin 21-9, 21-15
Shem Scantlebury def. Charles Browne by walkover
Shae Martin def. Jade Browne 20-22, 21-14, 21-13
Derion Hurley def. Daniel Duncan 21-14. 17-21, 21-11
Bradley Pilgrim def. Greg Padmore 21-15, 21-13
Andrew Clarke def. D’Andre Thorpe 20-22, 21-18, 21-17
Athelstone Forde def. Damien Howell 21-18, 13-21, 24-22
Women’s Singles
First round
Monyata Riviera def. Onika Moe 21-4, 21-8
Quarter-Finals
Sabrina Scott def. Suzanna Griffith by walkover
Mariama Eastmond def. Tamisha Williams 21-15, 21-10
Monyata Riviera def. Amanda Haywood 21-16, 21-11
