CARIBBEAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE NATIONAL SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

NIGHT 3

The competition was now definitely on.  Was it the luck of the draw???  Maybe! Either way, it really didn't matter because when you step onto the court, you simply have to be ready to play.  

Before going to the gym, I made an appearance on "Sports Express" with Shawn Greene to talk about the night's action and the finals the following day.  It was alot of fun as usual to talk with Shawn, as I have before on many other opportunities. 

It was my first time on that particular programme, and I thought to myself after how amazing it was to talk about so many things in only 9 minutes.  After talking with him a little while after the show and I hurried back home to get ready.  My hope was that the players were would be ready too....  U be the judge.  Here's my submission to the media on the night's action........

 

Mariama Eastmond and Andre Padmore will defend their singles titles when the Finals of the 2013 Caribbean Alliance Insurance National Senior Badminton Championships concludes at the Willdey Gymnasium tonight.

Eastmond continued her dominance when she defeated Sabrina Scott 21-14, 21-11 to advance to the first of three title opportunities.  She will face Shari Hope who easily defeated Monyata Riviera 21-9, 21-5 and who will seek to regain the crown with Eastmond took from her the previous year.  

Hope will also be looking for some redemption after being ousted the night before in the mixed doubles division by Eastmond and her partner.  However, they will also have to team up to defend their Womens’ Doubles title against Tamisha Williams and Monyata Riviera who advanced after defeating Sabrina Scott and Amanda Haywood 21-17, 21-15.

Eastmond’s final attempt at the treble will come with Dakiel Thorpe in the mixed doubles division when they will come up against former champions Sabrina Scott and Kevin Wood.  Eastmond and Thorpe advanced when they comfortably defeated the young team of Amanda Haywood and Shae Martin despite the 21-12, 21-19 score line.

Monyata Riviera and Jade Browne nearly provided the spectators with another upset when they carried Scott and Wood to the wire in the 2^nd semi-final.  The young duo showed grit and determination and constantly pressured Scott and Wood.  Browne would play some superb drives and cross court shots, but even with the crowd behind them, they eventually conceded 21-17, 22-20.

Andre Padmore defeated Dakiel Thorpe 21-14, 21-13 in the marquee match-up of the night.  Padmore controlled the tempo of the game by slowing it down after realizing he could not match Thorpe’s fast paced game.  His strategy worked and allowed for Padmore to execute some spectacular cross court plays and force Thorpe into a number of unforced errors.

Only first time finalist Bradley Pilgrim stands between Padmore and his 6^th successive singles title, after Pilgrim defeated Andrew Clarke 21-18, 21-15.  Pilgrim will have two chances to prove himself, when he also pairs with Dakiel Thorpe to retain their mens’ doubles title against Padmore and his long-time partner Kevin Wood.

Pilgrim and Thorpe cruised to an easy 21-12, 21-15 victory against Derion Hurley and D’Andre Thorpe, while Wood and Padmore faced much stiffer competition in the form of Nicholas Reifer and Greg Padmore.

Reifer and Padmore won the 1^st game and though they eventually lost the match, it could have gone either team’s way.  Wood and Padmore looked vulnerable at times but it is expected they will make the necessary adjustments in their bid to regain the title.

 

Eastmond as she prepares to serve during her semi-final match

SUMMARIZED SCORES

WOMEN’S SINGLES

Semi-Final #1: Mariama Eastmond def. Sabrina Scott                                                        21-14, 21-11

Semi-Final #2: Shari Hope def. Monyata Riviera                                                                21-9, 21-5

MEN’S SINGLES

Semi-Final #1: Andre Padmore def. Dakiel Thorpe                                                             21-14, 21-13

Semi-Final #2: Bradley Pilgrim def. Andrew Clarke                                                           21-18, 21-15

WOMENS’ DOUBLES

RR #2: Tamisha Williams/Monyata Riviera def. Amanda Haywood/Sabrina Scott            21-17, 21-16

MENS’ DOUBLES

Semi-Final #1: Bradley Pilgrim/Dakiel Thorpe def. Derion Hurley/D’Andre Thorpe        21-12, 21-15

Semi-Final #2: Andre Padmore/Kevin Wood def. Nicholas Reifer/Greg Padmore             21-23, 21-15, 21-16

MIXED DOUBLES

Semi-Final #1: Mariama Eastmond/Dakiel Thorpe def. Amanda Haywood/Shae Martin   21-12, 21-19

Semi-Final #2: Sabrina Scott/Kevin Wood def. Monyata Riviera/Jade Browne                      21-17, 22-20