Patrick’s doubles trouble
MacHugh and Campbell lost out in the final of the Scottish National Championships in Perth Patrick MacHugh was edged out of doubles glory in the final of the Yonex Scottish National Championships on Sunday.
The Kinross ace teamed up with Martin Campbell at Perth’s Bell’s Sports Centre but lost out to Alex Dunn and Adam Hall 21-15, 19-21, 21-17.
It was a 43-minute showdown packed full of quality in front of a bumper crowd in the Fair City who, as the match progressed, shuffled closer to the edge of their seats.
MacHugh had suffered disappointment earlier in the event when he crashed out of the mixed doubles alongside partner Kirsty Gilmour (pictured right).
Gilmour’s tournament ended on a high, however, as she bagged a seventh women’s singles title.
Not since 2012 has there been a winner other than the Scottish number one and she showed exactly why with a 21-12 21-16 victory over Julie MacPherson.
“It feels really good to have a seventh national title,” Gilmour said.
“It’s not something I ever set out to do but it’s become a bit of a habit to come to Perth and see how the young players are shaping up.
“Physically I feel quite good, I had a long period in Asia over Christmas and New Year so it was a good six weeks.
“I think that’s what I needed in terms of playing consistent matches against all the top girls.
“I’m always prepared for a really good battle with Julie, you think you’ve got her and the shuttle just keeps coming back from a tricky position.
“I always really enjoy Perth. It’s very serious but everyone is friends or family or very into the badminton and it’s a really nice feeling to be playing.”
The men’s singles went the way of the form book as top seed Kieran Merrilees maintained his domination in the Scottish National Championships. He has now won six titles, only missing out in 2016 due to injury, with that year’s winner Matthew Carder on the opposite side of the net this time around. Merrilees secured a 21-12 21-11 victory – a win he is not underselling the significance of.“The nationals is always important to everyone and to win it again means a lot,”he said. “I’m in some good form just now and I’m happy with the way I’ve been playing.” The weekend’s most dramatic game was saved until last as Dunn and Eleanor O’Donnell saved multiple match points in order to win a thrilling contest against Campbell and MacPherson in the mixed doubles. After 51 minutes of intense badminton it was Dunn and O’Donnell left celebrating the final point and a 25-23 final game win.