30/10/2014
GLORY FOR GRESTY
The BG Performance player and coach, Nikki Gresty and her partner Devon Minnis (Norfolk), raised some eyebrows at the Middlesex senior gold today, by winning the Ladies Doubles title.
After a disappointing showing in their first tournament of the season in September, the pair bounced back at Middlesex with some top drawer doubles play. They got off to a flying start in their first match against Lucy Mason & Meera Sivakumaran, and took the first game 21-9. However, a lack of concentration resulted in a 21-12 defeat in the 2nd game. A quick discussion at the interval helped the young pair restore focus and storm the 3rd 21-9 with some great attacking doubles play.
Ex England juniors Brodie Miller and Emily Jeffs proved to be a huge challenge in the semi final. Gresty and Minnis lost the first game, but quickly changed their tactics in the 2nd, slowing down the pace and using their guile around the net, to take it 21-18. Their opponents came back hard in the decider, but in a tight finish, Gresty and Minnis held their nerve to move into the final with a 21-19 victory.
Scotland provided the opponents for the final, with Commonwealth games player, Rebekka Findlay teaming up with the very strong Caitlin Pringle. Tactics looked to be the key to this encounter and Gresty and Minnis got them spot on. They moved the Scottish pair around the court, changing the pace and keeping them guessing where the shuttle was going to be played. They took the final 21-14, 21-9. A great achievement which they can hopefully build upon throughout the season.
