Manx badminton team lose against Australia Today

Skybadminton

THE Isle of Man's badminton team lost to Australia in its final round robin match at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi on Tuesday.

 The Australians were always going to be one of the toughest matches, and so it proved, with the Isle of Man losing 4-1.

Josh Green has been gaining in confidence as the matches have progressed and was again the winner for the Island – making it three out of four in his singles contests –  his only loss being to the world number one.

 The effects of four tough matches in 36 hours began to tell on the young team, and although team manager Geoff Clague described the members as "playing really well", they began to flag a little as the games progressed.

This was especially evident in the closing men's and ladies doubles.

While the results in the team event may not have gone the Isle of Man's way, the team is unified in its opinion that it has been very worthwhile ahead of the individual and doubles competitions later in the programme.

Matt Wilkinson said: "It has settled us all in. We have become accustomed to the hall and the whole environment. We've played some great games and that can only help us in the rest of our matches to come."

In the draws for all eight of their upcoming individual and doubles matches the Manx badminton players have avoided all the seeds.