The Isle of Man’s hopes of badminton team gold were dashed on Monday with two telling defeats at Gibraltar’s new Europa Sports Complex’s sports hall.

A strong opening to the competition on Sunday, which saw group wins over Gotland, Western Isles and Isle of Wight, had raised Manx hopes of success.

However, a 3-0 defeat by Greenland meant the team were left facing the Faroe Islands in the play-off for bronze.

Youngster Tobey Cheng was first in action for the island side, losing 21-11, 21-17 against the Faroes’ Bartal Poulsen.

With a substantial chunk of the latter side’s fanbase in situ, the noise level was ramped up as island flag bearer and Kim Clague took to the court for her match with Adhya Nandi.

The momentum swung to and fro between the players, Nandi claiming the opening set 21-11, before the experienced Clague hit back to level matters 21-16 in the second.

A nip and tuck third game developed, but cheered on by some very vocal support Nandi took the deciding set 21-16.

This left the men’s doubles pairing of Steven Quayle and Matthew Nicholson looking for a win to keep their team in the game and in with a shout of a medal.

Another thrilling encounter developed, the Faroes pair of Niklas Højgaard Eysturoy and Bartal Poulsen triumphing 21-18 in the first before Quayle and Nicholson dug deep to clinch the second 25-23.

Eysturoy and Poulsen regrouped though coming out strongly in the third, eventually securing the medal 21-16.

More from the badminton camp in Thursday’s Examiner.