SSBU 2015 Event – 31/10

31 players gathered at Penicuik on Saturday 31^st October for the 2015 Age Group event. It was particularly good to welcome two keen young players from Newcastle. Jenson Atkinson has a 2018 birthday and Kayden Yip 2017 and both played well and as they gain experience will be players to watch out for in the future.

19 boys were in the singles and the 5 seeded players all won their pools and proceeded to the A knock-out. Second seed Casey Brown was the first casualty losing 21-14, 21-13 to Kridhay Kumar in the quarter final. Kridhay then had a long semi-final against Akilan Valanraj losing 21-12,15-21,21-15 in 41 minutes. The final was almost as long and another 3 set match with Daniel Soflano winning 19-21,21-15,21-16.

There were 9 girls in the singles and this event started as 3 pools of 3 players. Top seed Shreya Pandey won both of her pool games and third seed  Second seed Varshasri Ezhilrasan however lost 21-16 to Niamh Kerr and 21-17 to Dhiya Kumar so had to settle for winning the consolation event. The A knock-out had the 2 remaining seeds in the top half of the draw with Shreya Beating Maggie 21-8,21-5 in the semi-final. Niamh had a long semi against Haasika winning 14-21,21-15,21-16. Shreeya won the final 21-8,21-12.

There were 2 pools of 4 in the boys doubles with seeded pairs Akilan Valanraj & Kevin Xu and Casey Brown & Daniel Soflano  each winning their pool. The final was very close with Casey & Daniel winning 21-1921-23,21-9.

The girls doubles was a single pool of 4 pairs. There were a lot of close games but the top seeds Dhiya Kumar & Varshasri Ezhilrasaran finished as runners up to Niamh Kerr & Shreeya Pandey.

8 school teams will gather at the Sir Craig Reedie Centre on Wednesday 4^th November to contest the senior quaich and the next individual event is the 2009 and 2012 Age Group at Wishaw on 14^th November.