Henry siblings emerge top ShuttleSMASHERS

Like they did in February's Tournament of Kings, siblings Gareth and Geordine Henry topped the respective Open singles events at the inaugural Constant Spring Golf Club's ShuttleSMASHERS Badminton Tournament, which took place at Constant Spring Golf Club from last Friday to Sunday.

In the men's final, Gareth was off to a rollicking start against a lethargic-looking Willroy Myles, leading 3-0, 12-1, 17-2 and 20-4 before Myles finally got going, winning four straight points to get to eight before Henry closed that game at 21-8.

The second game was a much more competitive affair, with the lead being interchanged several times before Henry won 21-19.

There was greater anticipation surrounding the women's final, which preceded the men's encounter.

Unlike in the male events where Gareth Henry has pretty much ruled supreme recently, there has been no single dominant player in the female ranks. Alya Lewis had been number one for much of last year before Katherine Wynter stepped up to take the national title in October. Then in February's Tournament of Kings, Geordine, who was better known as a solid doubles and mixed player, surprised many to take that title, winning all her matches in two straight games, inclusive of a semi-final victory over top seed Wynter. The stage was set for a showdown, and the crowd was obviously aware of it. Lewis, one of the tournament organisers, elected not to play in this event.

Wynter had the better of the early rallies before Henry gained the ascendency, leading 11-9 at the halfway stage. She continued to gradually widen the lead to close at 21-16.

Anybody's win

Game Two seemed to be anybody's to win as each player led at different times, the score getting to 17-16 with a now totally focused Wynter leading. Three straight points by Wynter took it to 20-16, and it looked like a three-game match was in the offing.

Then with cheering spectators jumping from their seats at times, Henry closed the gap and deuced the game at 20-20. The next point, the fifth straight for Henry, made it match point. An intense rally ended with Wynter making a desperate dive for a shuttle that appeared to be going out of court. She failed to make the return. She was still flat on the court when umpire Annmarie Watson announced "match" to Henry 21-16, 22-20, as applause for the two players shook the hall.

That made it six unanswered points to finish the match, preserving Geordine's record of not dropping a single game in tournament play this year.

Each of the Open winners will receive $10,000, to be presented at the end of the doubles section of the event, scheduled for May 23, 25 and 26.

Several sponsors came on board to make this Jamaica Badminton Association-sanctioned event an unqualified success. The major ones were Scotiabank, T. Geddes Grant Ltd, Chad Auto Sales, Asphaultic Concrete Enterprise Ltd, Dr William Lee, Ensure, Christopher Edwards, Western Sports and Jamaica Biscuit Company.

Results

OPEN

Men's Singles: Gareth Henry defeated Willroy Myles 21-8, 21-19

Ladies' Singles: Geordine Henry defeated Katherine Wynter 21-16, 22-20

Division B

Men's Singles: Jonathon Smith defeated Shane Wilson 21-17, 21-11

Ladies' Singles: Jade Clarke defeated Christina Petri 21-17, 14-21, 21-17

Division C

Men's Singles: Adrian Lee defeated Craig Allison 21-15, 21-11

Ladies' Singles: Ravon Wong defeated Melisia Swaby 21-13, 21-14

Division D

Men's Singles: Kavaughn Johnson defeated Zane Reid 21-17, 21-15

Ladies' Singles: Kristene Chin defeated Kadecia Briscoe 21-15, 21-14

Newcomers

Men's Singles: Carey Hart defeated Wayne Smith 21-11, 22-20

Ladies' Singles: Shenelle Tyrell defeated Carla Pusey 21-5, 21-11