Joel Findlay, left, Tara Pilven and Nathan David with the Clendinnen Shield.
A BALLARAT trio has played a significant part in Victoria capturing Australia’s premier interstate badminton team trophy, the Cede Clendinnen Shield.
Tara Pilven, Nathan David and Joel Findlay helped Victoria regain the title for the first time in three years in Sydney.
Victoria has been a dominant force since the shield was first contested in 1947, winning 31 times leading into this year’s event.
However, honours have been shared of late with South Australia and New South Wales denying Victoria in the past two years.
Pilven dropped just the one game, winning four of five singles. Her victories included the final against New South Wales Thunder.
Pilven also combined with Findlay for a mixed doubles win early in the event.
Findlay had a hectic schedule, with eight doubles matches.
He dropped just the one among his men’s and mixed doubles assignments.
That blemish came in the final after sweeping through the pool and crossover matches.
David played in three men’s doubles matches in the pool stages, getting a win with Findlay against The Territories.
The interstate shield led in the Australian closed championships.
Pilven reached the women’s singles semi-finals and was runner-up in the women’s double.
In the singles, she lost to eventual champion Hsuan-Yu Chen (Queensland) 21-18, 20-22, 21-16.
Pilven combined with Talia Saunders in the doubles, going down to Chen and Chia-Ju Hseih in the final 21-14, 21-13.
Pilven linked up with Findlay in the mixed doubles, but did not get past the first round.
Findlay and Luke Chong reached the men’s doubles quarter finals
David bowed out of the men’s singles in round three, the men’s doubles in round two, mixed doubles in round two and men’s doubles plate in the quarter finals.