WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS: SCOTS, AUSSIES TO CLASH IN PLAYOFF

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May 22, 1997 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - Scotland, the host nation of the 1997 world championships of badminton being held in Glasgow, this evening defeated a stubborn New Zealand side in a Group 3B team fixture to win their group and to move into a promotion playoff against Australia, the winner of Group 3A.

In a tight contest that had as much intensity, attention, and cheering as the premier division clashes between Denmark and Indonesia and between China and Korea being played in neighbouring courts, Scottish players took the three matches of the best-of-five encounter that they needed.

Kenny and Elinor Middlemiss opened up for Scotland in the mixed doubles, beating Dean Galt and Tammy Jenkins 12-15, 15-0 and 15-9.

Bruce Flockhart made it 2-0 for the Scots in the men's singles. Flockhart survived a 76-minute struggle with Nick Hall 15-11, 12-15 and 15-4.

New Zealand's Chinese transplant Li Feng gave the New Zealanders life in the women's singles. Li turned back Anne Gibson 11-6 and 11-8.

Rhona Robertson and Tammy Jenkins then teamed up to equalize the fixture for New Zealand. Robertson and Jenkins defeated Scots Elinor Middlemiss and Sandra Watt 15-10 and 15-9.

In the final match, the Scots fell behind early. Dean Galt and Nick Hall took the first game from Kenny Middlemiss and Russell Hogg 15-8. The Scot pair came back to win the second 15-4. In the decider, Middlemiss and Hogg overpowered the New Zealanders 15-3 to give Scotland the Group 3B pennant.

Australia won their key Group 3A fixture with Hong Kong, 3-2, to take the group banner.

Peter Blackburn and Rhonda Cator beat He Yi Ming and Tung Chau Man 15-5 and 15-11 in the mixed doubles match.

Hong Kong's men's singles ace Tam Kai Chuen then defeated Stuart Brehaut 15-3 and 15-9.

Ling Wang Ting put Hong Kong ahead with a women's singles win over Lisa Campbell 11-6 and 12-10.

In the men's doubles match, Peter Blackburn and Murray Hocking were the easy winners over Ma Che Kong and Chow Kin Man 15-6 and 15-6, bringing the Australians even with Hong Kong.

In the deciding women's doubles match, Rhonda Cator and Lisa Campbell battled Ling Wang Ting and Koon Wai Chee over 51 minutes before the Australian duo were able to prevail at 15-8 and 15-13.

Finland beat Austria 3-2 in the other Group 3A fixture, while India beat Norway 4-1 in Group 3B.

(migrossman)