Schools gather for annual contest

Dalton Clarke, of Muriwai School, applies a deft touch in the 2018 primary interschool badminton competition at the Badminton Centre last week. Sixteen teams and a total of 66 students took part. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Sixteen teams contested the 2018 primary interschool badminton competition at the Badminton Centre last Wednesday.

A total of 66 students took part, in teams from Makauri, Te Wharau, Sonrise Christian, Waikirikiri, Muriwai and Ormond schools and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Uri a Maui.

Eight girls’ teams and eight boys’ teams, each made up of four players, played singles and doubles.

Numbers were down on last year’s entries, but organisers welcomed Ormond and Nga Uri a Maui, who attended for the first time.

The teams were exceptionally competitive, especially considering many players had not played badminton before.

The help of Phil Robinson from Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti, teachers, learning support staff, parents and Badminton Eastland volunteers was appreciated.

Congratulations go to all players. They were enthusiastic, ready to learn and try new skills, and competitive. They enjoyed their matches and showed good sportsmanship.

The winners in the boys’ competition were Makauri Weasels, from Sonrise Boys.

The girls’ competition was won by Te Wharau Blue, from Te Wharau White.

Results Boys

Qualifying rounds: Te Wharau Blue def Maui Taikaha 6 matches to 0; Muriwai All Stars def Ormond Boys 4 matches to 2; Sonrise Boys def Te Wharau White 6 matches to 0; Makauri Weasels def Waikirikiri Hitters 6 matches to 0.

Round robin: Makauri Weasels def Sonrise Boys 4 matches to 2, def Te Wharau Blue 6 matches to 0, def Ormond Boys 6 matches to 0; Sonrise Boys def Te Wharau Blue 4 matches to 2, def Ormond Boys 6 matches to 0; Te Wharau Blue def Ormond Boys 6 matches to 0.

Boys’ winner: Makauri Weasels. Runner-up: Sonrise Boys.

Boys’ plate round robin: Te Wharau White def Waikirikiri Hitters 6 matches to 0, def Muriwai All Stars 5 matches to 1, def Maui Taikaha 5 matches to 1; Waikirikiri Hitters def Muriwai All Stars 4 matches to 2, def Maui Taikaha 5 matches to 1; Muriwai All Stars drew with Maui Taikaha 3 matches all.

Boys’ plate winner: Te Wharau White. Runner-up: Waikirikiri Hitters.

Girls

Qualifying rounds: Te Wharau Blue def Waikirikiri Winners 6 matches to 0; Sonrise Girls def Muriwai Legends 4 matches to 2; Te Wharau White def Ormond Girls 6 matches to 0; Makauri Ferrets def Maui Tuturi 5 matches to 1.

Round robin: Te Wharau Blue def Te Wharau White 5 matches to 1, def Makauri Ferrets 5 matches to 1, def Sonrise Girls 5 matches to 1; Te Wharau White def Makauri Ferrets 5 matches to 1, def Sonrise Girls 4 matches to 2; Makauri Ferrets def Sonrise Girls 3 matches all, 73 points to 66 points.

Girls’ winner: Te Wharau Blue. Runner-up: Te Wharau White.

Girls’ plate round robin: Maui Tuturu def Waikirikiri Winners 3 matches all, 73 points to 65 points, def Muriwai Legends 6 matches to 0, def Ormond Girls 4 matches to 2; Waikirikiri Winners def Muriwai Legends 4 matches to 2, def Ormond Girls 4 matches to 2; Muriwai Legends def Ormond Girls 4 matches to 2.