Badminton: Robertson takes home early wedding present

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Rhona Robertson has earned herself an early wedding present by taking top spot in the Oceania Badminton Confederation circuit.

Robertson, who will marry former Auckland and national badminton representative Greig Bramwell today, picked up more than $A1000 for her efforts on the eight-tournament circuit, heading Australian Rayoni Head to take the women's singles honours on a countback. Robertson contested five events compared with her rival's six.

Australians Rhonda Cator and Amanda Hardy prevented a Kiwi clean sweep by taking the women's doubles crown ahead of Robertson and her long-time partner, Tammy Jenkins.

Geoff Bellingham, who narrowly missed a place in the Olympic draw, headed Australians Nathan Malpass and Rio Suryana to take the men's singles cheque, while Dan Shirley scored a double in taking the men's doubles with John Gordon and the mixed crown with Jenkins.

Bellingham and Chris Blair were runners-up in the men's doubles.

Robertson was named the Auckland Badminton Association's player of the year. There was also a special team award to members of the Wisden Cup side who won the trophy for the first time in years.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand team have finished a commendable 20th, from 24 teams, in the junior world championships in China.

The Kiwis finished third in their sub-group, beaten by strong teams from Indonesia and the Netherlands.

In the playoffs they lost 2-3 to Romania but then beat Canada by the same score.

In an outstanding effort, Renee Flavell beat Romania's Ramona-Corina Gradinariu 7-0, 7-0, 7-0 and Canadian Lindy Vanriper 7-0, 7-1, 7-4 to complete an unbeaten singles run in the teams' championship.