Teams from Tolaga Bay dominate

Harry Naske (Gisborne Intermediate) in Year 7 and 8 interschool badminton. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Tolaga Bay Area School teams dominated the annual Year 7 and 8 interschool badminton competition at the Badminton Centre last Wednesday.

Three of the school’s teams reached the semifinals.

Because of time constraints, the finals were played on Thursday at the Tolaga Bay school.

Tolaga Bay (1) beat Tolaga Bay (3) 6 matches to 2. Tolaga Bay (1) did not dominate throughout; Tolaga Bay (3) won the first two matches, and the last mixed doubles proved close, Tolaga Bay (1) winning 11-10.

The 2018 competition welcomed Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Uri a Maui and Te Karaka Area School teams for the first time, as well as pupils from Tolaga Bay Area School, Muriwai School, Campion College, Sonrise Christian School, Gisborne Intermediate and Waikirikiri School. Sixteen teams in all took part compared with 14 in 2017.

Teams were mixed — two girls and two boys in each — and played singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

The teams were exceptionally competitive, even though many players were new to badminton. They played with enthusiasm, asked how they could improve their game, demonstrated good sportsmanship and tried their hand at umpiring.

Thanks go to the teachers, parents, Phil Robinson from Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti and the volunteers from Badminton Eastland, who helped on the day and behind the scenes to make the day a success.

Results —

Championships — Round 1: Tolaga Bay 1 def Maui Peke 6 matches to 0; Kahukuranui Rua def Gisborne (4) 5 matches to 1; Sonrise def Gisborne (1) 5 matches to 3; Maui Taikaha def Gisborne (3) 5 matches to 2; Kahukuranui Tahi def Te Karaka Area School 5 matches to 1; Tolaga Bay (2) def Gisborne (2) 5 matches to 1; Tolaga Bay (3) def Muriwai Masters 6 matches to 2; Maui Tuturu def Campion (1) 4 matches all, 106 points to 81.

Quarterfinals: Tolaga Bay (1) def Kahukuranui Rua 5 matches to 1; Sonrise def Maui Taikaha 5 matches to 1; Tolaga Bay (2) def Kahukuranui Tahi 5 matches to 1; Tolaga Bay (3) def Maui Tuturu 6 matches to 2.

Semifinals: Tolaga Bay (1) def Sonrise 5 matches to 3; Tolaga Bay (3) def Tolaga Bay (2) 5 matches to 2.

Final: Tolaga Bay (1) def Tolaga Bay (3) 6 matches to 2.

Special plate (teams winning their first-round tie and losing their second tie) — Semifinals: Maui Taikaha def Maui Peke 5 matches to 3; Kahukuranui Tahi def Maui Tuturu 5 matches to 3.

Plate (teams losing their first tie) — Maui Peke def Gisborne (4) 5 matches to 1; Gisborne (1) def Gisborne (3) 7 matches to 1; Gisborne (2) def Te Karaka 5 matches to 3; Campion (1) def Muriwai Masters 5 matches to 2.

Semifinals: Gisborne (1) def Maui Peke 5 matches to 1; Campion (1) def Gisborne (2) 5 matches to 2.

Final: Gisborne (1) def Campion (1) 6 matches to 0.

Consolation plate (teams winning their first-round tie in plate and losing their second tie) — Gisborne (3) def Gisborne (4) 4 matches all, 106 points to 81; Te Karaka def Muriwai Masters 5 matches to 2.