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Commonwealth Games 2014: Scotland begin campaign with badminton success over Seychelles

Martin Campbell and Jillie Cooper beat Juliette Ah-Wan and Georgie Cupidon while Kieran Merrilees eased past Kervin Ghislain

Andy Hampson
Thursday 24 July 2014 12:36 BST
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Host nation Scotland got their Commonwealth Games badminton challenge off to a flying start with a convincing 5-0 victory over the Seychelles in the team event.

The Scots made a clean sweep of all five disciplines against their part-time opponents to open their Group C programme in confident and commanding fashion at the Emirates Arena.

Scotland were rarely tested and the result seemed in little doubt after Martin Campbell and Jillie Cooper raced to a 21-11 21-5 mixed doubles victory over Georgie Cupidon and Juliette Ah-Wan.

Kieran Merrilees followed up by making easy work of world number 661 Kervin Ghislain, winning 21-2 21-8, and Rebekka Findlay saw off Allisen Camille 21-7 21-11.

Patrick MacHugh and Campbell beat Cupidon and Steve Malcouzanne 21-14 21-4 before Imogen Bankier and Caitlin Pringle finished the job with a 21-14 21-9 win over Ah-Wan and Camille.

Bankier, a World Championship silver medallist, was pleased with the winning start.

She said: "It's nice to come out and get a win on the board. It was tough today because we were at the opening ceremony last night. Everyone is excited but a little tired.

"We went out with a mixture of youth and experience and it is a testament to the guys making their first Commonwealth appearances that we got a good win."

The opening ceremony took place at Celtic Park, just a short distance from the badminton venue and the athletes' village.

Bankier knows Parkhead well, as her father Ian is the chairman of Celtic, and competing in a Games on home soil is a dream.

He said: "We have had a massive build-up for the whole year, but Glasgow has put on a good show so far. Long may that continue."

Scotland return to action in the evening of day one when they take on Guernsey.

Guernsey were also in action early but were beaten 5-0 by New Zealand. Not one of their five matches went to a third game.

Malaysia, one of the tournament favourites, crushed Barbados 5-0. In the opening Group B matches, India overpowered Ghana 5-0 and Uganda beat Kenya 3-2.

PA

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