Sport / Sporting round-up 13 January
GORDON Keith has been selected to captain Scotland’s masters badminton team in a match against Ireland on Friday.
The six-time Island Games medallist is set to lead the team out to face Ireland before the Scottish International Masters Championships over the weekend in Glasgow.
Keith has represented his country on a number of occasions, but this will be his first time as captain.
He was picked after winning the men’s singles over-60 event at the Scottish National Masters tournament last October, where he also won the mixed doubles competition with Jill Smith.
A WOMEN’S seven-a-side football league is being launched in Lerwick next month.
The non-competitive games are for players of all abilities, with new and returning players all welcomed. Players must be aged 15 or older, with a maximum of nine players to a team.
The league will start on Wednesday 4 February between 6pm-8pm on the new North Loch 3G pitch at Clickimin, with players encouraged to create and register their own team.
Teams can message the Shetland Girls & Womens Football club Facebook page to register, or can complete this link.
FOUR members of Shetland Table Tennis Club travelled south at the weekend to compete in the Edinburgh Open.
Joan Smith, Piotr Drozdowski, Stacey MacGregor and Steve Birrell entered the team event, mini assessments and veterans band one and two categories.
The standard of play throughout the weekend was exceptionally high, with the field including Scotland’s current number one player.
Drozdowski and Birrell were drawn in the same group as Smith and MacGregor in the team event, with both Shetland pairings delivering strong performances against formidable opposition and finishing third and fourth respectively.
Day two brought the mini assessments and veterans events. All four Shetland players recorded high-scoring matches, with wins and losses finely balanced.
A standout moment came when one of MacGregor’s extended rallies against a teenage rising star drew spontaneous applause – including recognition from Scotland’s number one, Colin Dalgleish.
Overall, it was a highly successful and encouraging weekend for the Shetland contingent.
SHETLAND Indoor Bowling Club held its annual Christmas competition at the end of December.
Eight teams of three were selected, and in a festive twist on the usual weekly scoring format the competition was decided on highest shot difference rather than highest score.
Each team played two games, moving rinks after each game to keep things varied and interesting.
The winning team on the night was Ian Leiper, Ian Pottinger and Alan Smith, finishing with an excellent shot difference of +7.
The club congratulated them and thanked everyone for the brilliant turnout on the night, as well as to those who donated raffle prizes and bought tickets.
THE SHETLAND men’s volleyball team went down to two defeats as they returned to league action away from home over the weekend.
First up were Nuvoc II, and the blues made a poor start as they tried to get back into their rhythm after weeks of festive rest – with Nuvoc taking a 12-6 lead.
Pinpoint serving from Jason Riise and Joshua Morrison pulled them back into the game, but Nuvoc continued to exploit gaps in Shetland’s defence to take the first set 25-18.
The teams traded points throughout the set, with some well-executed front-court attacks from Shetland, and the score was soon level at 15-15.
A dramatic moment saw Jarryd Jamieson receive a ball from NUVOC II and roll onto the floor, before Morrison quickly recovered a blocked ball to extend the rally.
Unfortunately an ill-timed attack saw the ball drop into Shetland’s court, costing them the point.
Shetland ultimately lost the second set 25-21. They started the third set strongly, and there was clear enthusiasm from Shetland as they worked hard to keep the ball alive.
A time-out was called by coach Ben Laurenson in an attempt to help Shetland regain their rhythm.
With the score at 14-6 in favour of Nuvoc, Shetland began to show signs of fatigue, making a few small errors on their side of the court.
It became clear that tiredness was taking its toll, with the score stretching to 22-11, and Nuvoc ultimately won the set 25-13 and the game 3-0.
Shetland’s second match of the day was against Glasgow Mets II, with the team clearly still feeling the effects of their previous match.
Mets II took an early five-point lead at 12-7, but Shetland continued to fight with Finlay Kirkness keeping one attack alive well.
With the score at 19–14 to Mets, Shetland began attacking with confidence and playing their own game.
They pushed Mets hard, but the Glasgow side held firm to win the set 25-19.
The second set saw Shetland and Mets II trade points in a fast-paced battle. With the score 14-7 to Mets, communication issues crept in for Shetland.
Mets went on to secure match point and closed out the set and match, 25-18.
Shetland came out firing in set three, taking an early 3–0 lead. They maintained control throughout the set, with sharp communication and confident play.
Leading 24–21 and on set point, Jason Riise stepped up to serve. Mets managed to get the ball up, but Jamieson rose at the net and delivered a commanding attack to seal the final point.
In the fourth and final set, both teams gave everything to keep the ball in play, sprinting for every shot and refusing to let it hit the floor.
By 21-18 to Mets, Shetland began to lose momentum. The set and the match ended with Mets II claiming it 25-18 for a 3-1 win.
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