Victories for Wilson and Crawley at Scottish 4 Nations

Posted by Laura Morgan at 04:02 on 19 February 2015

 Para-Badminton-Scottish 4 Nations
The Scottish round of the 4 Nations Para-Badminton Championships was held at Motherwell’s Ravenscraig Regional Sports Centre on 14th and 15th February where Wales’ Jack Wilson and Lloyd Crawley competed.

Firstly, in the Men's Singles, Wilson faced Daniel Lee of England and won the encounter 21-15 21-8 but then lost in two sets against England’s Anthony Forster 12-21 16-21. His third match saw him up against Scotland’s David Purdie with Wilson going on to win the tight three setter,  21-17 16-21 21-15, securing his place in the semi-finals. 

In the semi-final, Wilson found himself against England’s Bobby Griffin who hadn’t dropped a match in the group stages. Unfortunately, Wilson could not find the answers to Griffin’s style of play and lost in two sets 21-18 21-15. Griffin went on to win the gold.

In the doubles, Wilson partnered England’s James Binnie (who had lost in the final of the singles). The pair were in a group of 4 and were positive about the impact they could make. Wilson and Binnie played Adam Linton-Mains and Jamie Munro, claiming victory in two sets, 21-5 21-9 and then went on to beat Neil Brayford and John Hick in another two setter, 21-3 21-7. The deciding group game was between themselves and Alan Oliver and Anthony Forster. Wilson and Binnie won the encounter 20-21 21-17 -21-19, topping the group and sending themselves through to the semi-finals.  

In the semi-finals, Wilson and Binnie found themselves against Colin Leslie and Daniel Lee. Wilson and Binnie proved to be too strong for the opposition and won in two sets 21-15 21-14, booking their place in the final. 

The other semi-final between Anthony Forster and Alan Oliver, and Daniel Bethell and Bobby Griffin ended up being a walkover as Bethell had to retire through injury. 

In a closely contested final against Anthony Forster and Alan Oliver, Wilson and Binnie took confidence from their earlier win in the group and held their nerve to take gold, winning 21-18 11-21 21-15. 

Overall Wilson’s performance in Scotland shows that he has the potential to go on and win more medals in the future. 

Wilson commented,

“It was a great event to play in and was a great experience. I can’t wait to be back in training, working hard, and hoping to go forward from here to represent Wales on a bigger scale.”  

In the Men's Singles Class 3 event, Lloyd Crawley was in a group of 4 with the winner of the group and second place going through to the semi finals. Firstly, Crawley had to face Ross McCann and won the encounter 21-14 before going on to win against John Hopper 21-17. Crawley's final group match was against John McAlvenny and he continued on his winning streak, 21-9.

In the semi-finals, Crawley faced Richard Chamberlin. It was a closely contested match but Crawley claimed the victory 21-17. In the other semi final, John Hooper beat Michael McCraw 21-17, setting up a rematch between Crawley and Hooper in the final.

In the final, Crawley stayed in complete control, taking gold in two sets 21-6 21-8.

In the Mixed Doubles Class 3 event, Crawley teamed up with Karen Lyttle. The pair faced 4 other pairs in their group with the top two pairs going straight through to the finals. Crawley and Lyttle first faced Mark Richardson and Hazel Irvine with Crawley and Lyttle showing their dominance and winning 21-7. Next for the pair was John Hooper and Jessica Marriot. Crawley and Lyttle suffered defeat, losing the match 21-13. Kevin Trebilcock and Elizabeth Haywood were Crawley and Lyttle's next opponents. Crawley and Lyttle proved too strong and won the encounter 21-4. In their final group match, Crawley and Lyttle faced Robert Monk and Catherine Carson and won 21-16, claiming their place in the final alongside John Hooper and Jessica Marriott.

Having lost to Hooper and Marriott in the group 21-13, the pressure was on Crawley and Lyttle to try a different tactic and they managed to find a winning solution, winning the tight 3 setter 16-21 21-15 21-19.

Congratulations to both players!