CARIBBEAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE NATIONAL SENIOR CHAMPIONSIPS

Night 1

Ok so, all I remember was that somehow I made it to work Thursday morning.  Upon arrival, I realized there was much to do, so I did it.  Somehow I returned home and got down to the gymnasium to attend the lecture hosted by the BOA and then immediately after, the competition, which luckily was in the same building.  

My eyes were burning in the lecture and after, I was soooo tired.  I began to think, "I wonder how Jade is holding up?"  To be honest, the thought began and ended there because as soon as I stepped onto the gymnasium floor, I was in work mode.

I remember being asked about the trip many times, and answering, but again I was in work mode.  I had to concentrate, my body was tired and so was my mind.  So much so, I remember I asked about a set of matches I thought began at 10:30p.m. to then be corrected that the time was actually 9:30a.m. and not 10.  I simply read the sheet and converted the 24 hr time stamp incorrectly.  With adequate rest that would not have occurred, but hey who's perfect.

 From what I do recall accurately, here's a snapshot of the night's events:-

 

Members of the BBA Executive and Tournaments Officials posing with Managing Director of Caribbean Alliance Insurance Co. Ltd, Mr. Adrian Layne at the Opening Ceremony

The 2013 Caribbean Alliance Insurance Co. Ltd National Senior Badminton Championships got underway at the Wildey Gymnasium on Thursday night with the defending men’s and women’s Singles champions signalling their intentions to retain their respective titles.

Despite nursing an ankle injury earlier this season, Mariama Eastmond looked impressive as she defeated Tamisha Williams in the 1^st 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 have to now face Sabrina Scott who advanced to the next round by a walkover victory over Suzanne Griffith, while Monyata Riviera also secured her spot when she defeated Amanda Haywood 21-16, 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 along with Ali Forde and Damien Howell.

Clarke, who is a law major in Trinidad, came from behind after losing the 1^st game to defeat D’Andre 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 have the opportunity to advance to the semi-final round when he faces Shem Scantlebury in their quarter-final match.

The contest of the night was however the epic battle between Damien Howell and Ali Forde.  The match proved that either man was worthy of the win as it went down to the wire.

The 1^st set saw Forde jump out to a 5-0 lead and later on 18-14.  However, Howell scored 7 unanswered points to take the 1^st game.  In the 2^nd game, Forde led at the 1^st interval and did not relinquish the lead on this occasion to tie the match.

The decisive game, once again saw Forde seize control early and throughout. However on Forde’s match point, Howell scored 5 straight points to lock the scores and stunned everyone watching the match.  

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 for Forde to seal the win with a 21-18, 13-21, 24-22 victory.

SUMMARIZED SCORES

Men’s Singles

(1^st Round)

Greg Padmore def. 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

(2^nd Round)

Andre Padmore def. Andre Woodvine                       21-2, 21-1

Dakiel Thorpe def. Curwin Cherubin                          21-9, 21-15

Shem Scantlebury def. Charles Browne                     (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

(1^st round)

Monyata Riviera def. Onika Moe                               21-4, 21-8

Quarter-Finals

Sabrina Scott def. Suzanna Griffith                            (walkover)

Mariama Eastmond def., Tamisha Williams            21-15, 21-10

Monyata Riviera def., Amanda Haywood                 21-16, 21-11