Trebles for Lingyun Xiao and Angus Meldrum at the U15/19 Midland Junior Championships

With the recent surge in Covid cases it felt inevitable this would lead to a number of late withdrawals, we wish all affected a quick recovery. Despite this, a strong entry gathered at NICC Perth over 26^th/27^th March to compete in the U15/U19 Midland Junior.

Lingyun Xiao claimed a fine treble in the U15 age group, kicking off with a hard fought win over Tushar Senthilrajaram in BS. Lingyun then partnered Tushar to success in the BD final coming from behind to overcome Callum McWhirter & Lewis Smith in 3 sets. The treble was completed in the last final of the weekend as Lingyun & Qing Yang Xiao edged out Alfie Martin & Tushara Senthilrajaram in 2 close sets.

Earlier Qing Yang took the honours in a very close and exciting U15 GS final, just holding off  Tushara 21-17 in the 3^rd set. With a smaller entry in U15 GD, this event was played as a round robin. The decisive match proved to be Jaagruti Mannem & Tushara’s 3 set victory over Anshita Jaiswal & Shreya Vargheese which determined the overall winner and runner-up placings.

The top 2 seeds met in the U19 GS Final, where Abbie Brooks delivered another strong performance to comfortably defeat Sophie Ford. Likewise in U19 BS, Angus Meldrum lived up to his No1 seeding, although Finlay Jack made him work hard for his victory.

The spectators were then treated to two high quality, exciting U19 doubles finals. In BD Anthony McGuire & Angus Meldrum edged out Grant Lewis & Finlay Sheriff 21-19 in the 3rd set. Meanwhile on the adjacent court, Katrina Chan & Ishbel McCallister were facing Sophie Ford & Brooke Stalker in a re-match of a pool qualifier from the previous day. The pool match on Saturday was decided 26-24 in the 3^rd in favour of Katrina & Ishbel, suggesting another close match could be expected.  And so it proved, Katrina & Ishbel again just coming out on top after 3 closely fought sets.

Anthony McGuire & Brooke Stalker overcame No2 seeds Lewis Coghill & Katrina Chan to reach the U19 XD final where they faced Angus Meldrum & Abbie Brooks. Another close match, but it was Angus & Abbie who came through in 2 sets to complete Angus’s clean sweep, and deliver a 2^nd winners trophy for Abbie.

Midland Group tournament organisers wish to thank NICC Staff for their assistance in hosting this event, and the BSCO umpire team for their long shift officiating SFs and Finals matches on Sunday, helping to ensure all ran smoothly.

Full Tournament results available on Tournament Software.