Mixed Fortunes for a Massive Scottish Contingent in Cardiff
1st December 2025 by Robert McLean
A strong Scotland team travelled to Cardiff in force last week for the 2025 Welsh International, sending one of the largest and strongest squads seen at a Home Nations event this season for the final leg of the series. The atmosphere around the team was energetic from the outset, with players across all age groups and disciplines aiming to finish the year on a high. What followed was a week of mixed fortunes, encouraging breakthroughs, and valuable learning experiences for the entire contingent.
Young Scots Shine in Women’s Doubles
One of the major highlights came from the youthful women’s doubles pairing of Lanna Campbell and Katie Stewart, who produced one of their best international runs to date. Displaying excellent on-court chemistry, fast defensive work, and increasingly confident mid-court pressure, the pair navigated their opening rounds with maturity beyond their years. Their journey carried them all the way to the Last 16, where they faced the experienced French 7th seeds Elsa Jacob and Falvie Vallet.
Despite ultimately falling short, Campbell and Stewart pushed the French pair with long rallies and disciplined tactics, leaving Cardiff with their heads held high and gaining crucial experience at this level.
Strong Showing in the Men’s Doubles Draw
On the men’s doubles side, Josh Taylor and Evan Kenny mirrored that success with a run of their own to the Last 16. The duo produced some of the most composed badminton of the week from a Scottish perspective, securing notable wins in earlier rounds through sharp serving patterns, aggressive counter-attacking, and clever rotation.
Their campaign came to an end against the talented Spanish 2nd seeds Daniel Franco and Rodrigo Sanjurjo. Although the match finished in straight sets, both were tightly contested, demonstrating that Taylor and Kenny are more than capable of competing with higher-ranked opposition on the international stage.
Experience Gained Across the Entire Squad
Beyond the headline results, the Welsh International served as an important development opportunity for the wider Scottish team. Across singles, doubles, and mixed disciplines, players embraced the challenge of competing in a high-quality international field, with many matches decided by fine margins. The squad’s depth was clear throughout the week, and the willingness of players to push themselves, whether through tough three-set battles or adapting to unfamiliar opponents, was evident.
A huge thank you and congratulations go to all Scottish athletes who represented the nation with professionalism and determination:
James Robertson, Callum Smith, Shaun Aamir, Benedict Tan, Sen Thomas, Sid Singh, Euan Campbell, Finlay Jack, Matthew Waring, Yan Lok Chiu, Torben Trapp, Richard Adams, Ganesh Balaji, Lewis Smith, Blair Tait, Rachel Sugden, Amy Craig, Sophie Ford, Brooke Stalker, Ishbel McCallister.
Their combined efforts created a strong Scottish presence felt throughout the venue, reinforcing the programme’s depth and commitment as players look ahead to the 2026 season.
A full list of results is available via the official BWF Tournament Software page for the event.