Badminton: Lanarkshire champs win tournament

Mar 11 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SCOTTISH badminton doubles champions Jamie Neill and Keith Turnbull were delighted to win the first tournament after their national triumph.

Jamie (25), from Hamilton, and 27-year-old Larkhall lad Keith beat David Forbes and Stewart Kerr to lift the Glasgow Open doubles title at the city’s Cockburn Centre.

Jamie, a coach at Hamilton Esporta, admitted they were under pressure, having won the Scottish doubles crown earlier this year.

He said: “We were pleased to win. It was our first victory over David and Stewart and although it was in straight sets, it wasn’t easy.

“It’s not as big as the nationals but we were top seeds and were expected to win.

“There was a wee bit of added pressure for that reason but I’m pleased with how things are going.”

Although Jamie and Keith are currently in a dispute with governing body BADMINTONscotland, they were bemused to see so many officials at the tournament.

Jamie said: “There was a big BADMINTONscotland presence. We had heard that officials would be there and we found that to be quite funny – it’s not a competition that attracts big attention.

“I think some wondered if we would make a protest, but we agreed to just go and enjoy our first tournament as national champions. I’m pleased, because we did our talking on the court.”