Cambs III off the mark against Northants

Cambridgeshire IIIrds made the short trip to Kettering up the A14 to face Northamptonshire IInds on Sunday, with the whole team arriving before the opposition, taking up position on the stage – an early psychological advantage!

Ben Aldred at no.1 singles for Cambridgeshire had too much quality for his opponent, winning comfortably in two ends. James Watkins took a while to get going against their number two, but turned on the style to take the third end 21-9.

In the ladies singles, Laurel Bennett faced a tricky left hander at number one singles, and after a battle of the backhands lost out in the third end. What an epic match the second ladies was, Klaudia making her singles debut against a powerful veteran,  played with steely determination and skill and deception to take the match to three. 10-5 down in the third end, great performance to win 21-16.

Mens doubles went well, with both pairs winning their games comfortably.

Our Ladies found it harder playing more experienced opponents, with Liz and Laurel coming closest to a win just losing out in the third end 21-19.

It was time to get sugar fix, care of Liz’s amazing brownies. Cambridgeshire needed to win all three mixed doubles for maximum points. Ben and Sharon enjoyed a classic mixed at no.1 with great net play from both ladies and powerful smashes raining in from Ben, Cambs winning the third end easily. Laurel and Paul had a comfortable win. James and Liz just lost out in three ends.

A solid 9-6 win for Cambridgeshire.

Player of the match Klaudia Otoka.

The team: Ben Aldred, James Watkins, Paul Martell (c), Will Hodgkinson, Liz Salmon, Laurel Bennett, Klaudia Otoka (j), Sharon Chandler

More information about results of the Cambs III team is available on the Team Page.

IIIrds Kick Off with Thriller

The Cambs Senior IIIrd team kicked off the season with a roller-coaster ride away match against Middlesex IV.

With the match coming so early in the season, there was a rush to populate the team and a number of faces were new to the County, which owes a debt of gratitude to a high number of debutantes who turned out. 

Middlesex IV fielded a strong team, and after hard-fought games, all the singles were lost, even though every single one had a game which ended in 18 or 19 points.  Particularly impressive were Gemma McGuire and Yoong-Eun Kwon - both playing their first senior County singles matches.

It was in the level doubles where the rubber really hit the road, with some of the toughest battles being contested.  All four mens doubles games went to a third game decider.  Skipper Paul Martell and County returnee James Watkins beat the Middlesex first pair, but lost to the second including a 25-27 defeat in the second end.  Geoff Green and University debutante Ben Aldred overcame the second pair, but were agonisingly pipped at the end against the first in an epic 29-30 final end!

The ladies also fought hard.  Yoong-Eun teamed with another debutante and junior Klaudia Otoka, and won one game, but sadly lost their second in the third end. Gemma partnered the final debutante - Hurst's Leticia Mendez - but they found the Middlesex ladies too strong. 

Finally in the mixed, Ben and Yoong-Eun demonstrated Cambs' usual strength in the discipline, and secured a comfortable win in straight sets.  The scratch partnerships of Paul & Leticia and James and Klaudia however were overcome. 

So the final score was a 4-11 loss, but the team can be proud of an epic performance, having never competed together before. 

The team:  Geoff Green, James Watkins, Yoong-Eun Kwon, Gemma McGuire, Ben Aldred, Paul Martell, Klaudia Otoka (j), Leticia Mendez.

More information about results of the Cambs III team is available on the Team Page.

Senior County Selection 2013-14

As always, senior County selection has been a very long and challenging  process, with many players making strong cases for their inclusion.  Please appreciate that the Selection Committee apply a considerable amount of time and thought to the decision, and that there are only a very limited number of places to be offered.  We have tried to be as objective and fair as we can in applying the following selection criteria:

• County performance from the previous season;
• Results at the restricted tournament;
• Results at other tournaments over the last twelve months;
• Potential for improvement / Development trajectory;
• Availability; and
• Commitment to the County.

The standard within all the teams this year is incredibly strong. For anyone who is disappointed at not making a team, it is worth noting that in previous seasons there are often opportunities to play up or play within teams and due to the competition this year (especially for the Mens III spaces) the Selection Committee certainly hope that most players get their chance to show off their ability.

Please continue to let the Selection Committee know (selection@cambridgeshirebadminton.org) of any achievements or improvements that you have as the more information we have is better to aid our selection.

This season we are submitting three teams: Ist team (Division 2), IInd team (Division 5) and IIIrd team (Division 6).  If you want to add fixtures to your phone/Google calendar, then instructions are at http://www.cambridgeshirebadminton.org/calendar/

We hope everyone has a great season and plays well, and remember to give full vocal support to your team-mates.

Best of luck,

(Dan, Graham, John, Katie & Sara)

Cambridgeshire County Teams 2013-14

TEAM 1

(Division 2: First Match 27th October away)

Mindaugas Dabasinskas, Paul Heads, Sam Scharf, Simon Woodhouse

Alison Meijers, Olga Bryant, Natalie Taylor, Sara Cunnington (saracunnington@gmail.com) ©

TEAM 2

(Division 5: First Match 20th October away)

Abu Kaher, Daniel Bates (daniel@bates.net) ©, Joe Pickering, Neil Place, Stephen Pickering

Adele Woodhams, Kate Marshall, Katie Morton, Louise Tarbit, Vicky Norris

TEAM 3

(Division 6: First Match 13th October away)

Ben Aldred, Damien Dugmore, James Watkins, Paul Martell (pamartelluk@yahoo.com) ©, Geoff Green

Laurel Bennett, Liz Salmon, Sharon Chandler, Tanny Dan

RESERVES (in no particular order)

James Wilson, Graham Barr, Will Hodgkins, Sanjeev Balasuthenthirarajan, Tom Frearson, Sunny Kong, Michael Parker, Simon Parker, Adam Parr, Kaylan Sutton-Ziaian, John Tibbutt

Yoong-Eun Kwon, Jo Brant, Emma Best, Molly Carter, Lisa Goff, Stacy Knoop, Hazel Greetham, Emma Brewster, Holly Gale, Sammy Jones,

Cambs' John Tibbutt Celebrates Quad Success at World Transplant Games

View fullsize

John Tibbutt powers home the smash at the World Transplant Games 2013.

Inspiring Cambs Badminton player John Tibbutt, who has overcome ill health through a successful organ transplant has returned victorious from competing in this year’s World Transplant Games in Durban, South Africa.

John took part in the Games nearly 4 years after having a life-saving kidney transplant. 

The 36-year-old, who is currently the Cambs senior IIIrd team captain, competed as a member of Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the Games, from 28 July to 4 August 2013, competing in badminton and squash.  He secured an incredible four-medal haul, securing gold medals in badminton in singles, doubles and mixed, and a bronze in squash.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland took home 243 medals in total, 114 gold, 74 silver and 55 bronze. The team was also presented with the ‘Best Team Award’. Lynne Holt, Team Manager and Trustee at Transplant Sport said:

“The World Transplant Games is a fantastic opportunity for athletes such as John to share their story and inspire people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Not only were these athletes ambassadors for our country, but they also represented the charity, Transplant Sport, and helped to raise more awareness here in the UK and globally, of the need for more people to sign on to the Organ Donor Register and express their wishes with family and friends.”

John said:

“The world games is a fantastic opportunity to help raise awareness for organ donation and the donor register and to show how transplants really change people’s lives.

Four years ago I couldn’t mow the lawn, never mind do any sort of sport.  Now I can train and play as before.  It gave me my life back."

More than 135 Transplant Sport athletes, including 15 juniors, and many more supporters descended on the Rainbow Nation.

The World Transplant Games, supported by the International Olympic Committee, represents the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featured a week of 13 sporting events. Team GB and NI joined over 1000 other transplant athletes from 55 countries across the globe.

More than 10,000 people in the UK are currently waiting for a transplant and sadly, three people die waiting every day. But with only 31 per cent of the UK population actually registered as organ donors, more work needs to be done to raise awareness of donation and to urge those on to the donor register to share their wishes with loved ones.

To add your name to the NHS Organ Donor Register call 0300 1232323, text SAVE to 84118 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Some photographs from the Games are available in the photo gallery. 

Cambs IIIrds Enjoy Norfolk Romp

Cambs IIIrds hosted the youthful Norfolk III at the weekend and were keen to get revenge for their 6-9 loss before Christmas.  With the Ist team opponents Staffs cancelling due to the inclement weather, the teams could use all four courts for the match and the games flowed thick and fast.  Alison Greenhill got the match off to a perfect start by bringing along a delicious pumpkin cake (like carrot cake, but with pumpkin...) and also won quickly at first singles.  Sharon Chandler took one for the team in her least favourite event and despite coming close in the second set, lost in straight sets at second singles.  Several days later Geoff Green and Graham Barr eventually won in 3 sets at first and second singles respectively against sprightly opposition.  3-1 to Cambs.

Geoff teamed up with Paul Martell at first mens and continued his theme of getting his money's worth by beating the Norfolk first pair in 3 sets.  They settled down against the second pair and won quickly in straight sets.  Graham and Tom Zhang (J) at second mens obviously wanted to get to the cake quickly and won both their mens games in straight sets.

Alison and Sharon at first ladies suffered a slight hiccup by losing the second set against the second Norfolk pair, but were otherwise untroubled winning both ladies.  Dan Tan (Tanny) and Liz Salmon (who had answered the call to play late the night before) at second ladies followed suit, winning both in straight sets.

With the win, full points and revenge in the bag, the only thing left to play for was the race to get to the cake first.  Or rather second, since jet lagged captain Tibbutt had very considerately decided to 'test' the cake and make sure it was ok for the team to eat.  It was.  I can't actually remember who won the race to the cake as all 3 mixed pairs won in straight sets, but the match ended with a fantastic 14-1 winning score and slighty runny icing everywhere.

The team:  Geoff Green, Sharon Chandler: Comberton; Graham Barr, Alison Greenhill, Tom Zhang: Ramblers; Liz Salmon, Dan Tan: St Ives; Paul Martell: Hurst

Match report by John Tibbutt.

More information about results of the Cambs III team is available on the Team Page.

Norfolk III vs Cambs III: "Dear Santa, please can Kaylan have some new badminton trainers for Christmas?"

On Sunday 16th December, Cambridgeshire IIIrd team visited Norfolk IIIrds for their 6th county match of a jam packed first half of the season.  

The match got off to an interesting start as the slightly inept Cambs Captain Tibbutt misread the match information, and instead of turning up early for a 1pm start, turned up very late for a 12noon start.  Luckily Norfolk were very gracious about Tibbutt's incompetence and the singles players began their warm up.  Or at least they tried to.  Kaylan Sutton-Ziaian pulled his trainers out of his bag to find the toe section of his left trainer all but hanging off.  Fortunately senior-pro Paul Martell was on hand with a roll of gaffer tape to 'fix' the shoe and allow Kaylan to play.  Dear Santa, please can Kaylan have some new badminton trainers for Christmas?

Finally the match could begin and Norfolk quickly gained the upper hand taking all 4 singles matches in straight sets.  Kaylan, Aiden Foo, Stacey Knoop and Emma Brewster all fought hard, but were well beaten by stronger opponents.  4-0 to Norfolk.

Things looked better in the mens doubles as Kaylan teamed up with Paul and convincingly beat the Norfolk first pair in straight sets.  Senior-pro number 2 Graham Barr and Aiden at second mens followed suit with a close 3 sets win.  Unfortunately the ladies couldn't match the men as Jacquie Dennis and Stacey, and Dan Tan (Tanny) and Emma both went down in close games.  6-2 to Norfolk.

The second round of doubles also started positively as Paul and Kaylan comfortably beat Norfolk's second pair.  Graham and Aiden couldn't match them this time, losing in straight sets, and Stacey and Jacquie also lost in the ladies.  Tanny and Emma managed to find their form though and emerged victorious after a long 3 setter against the Norfolk first pair.  8-4 to Norfolk.

Despite the win going to Norfolk, Cambs still had a losing point to play for.  Kaylan and Tanny slipped to a close 2 set defeat at third mixed, but Paul and Jacquie at first and Graham and Stacey at second battled well and ground out very close 3 set wins to secure the losing point.  Final score 9-6 to Norfolk.

MVP for the match: Senior pro Paul Martell.  For winning 100% of his games and also demonstrating previously unknown talents as a cobbler.

Match report by John Tibbutt.

More information about results of the Cambs III team is available on the Team Page.

Cambs IIIrds Conquer Lincs

On a cold winters day at CRC the senior IIIrds turned up to play against last years play off finalists. Expecting a difficult fixture and with the team needing a win, everyone knew hard work was required. In a break with tradition the ladies started with new girl Alison Greenhill showing why Ramblers rate her so highly. It was a great start with a convincing 21-15, 21-14 win. Emma Brewster was up next, but in a difficult game Emma slipped to a 21-16, 21-18 loss. 

Men’s singles up next, Kaylan Sutton-Ziaian playing after a long tournament Saturday won in straight sets 21-15, 21-16. Another good performance. It was a surprise for all - including Will Hodgkinson - to see him playing singles: not his usual game, but Will won again in straight sets 21-18, 21-17. Not a bad start then, 3 out of 4.

On next was the ladies doubles. Combining superior net play in the form of Sharon Chandler and the power and movement of Alison, the new form pairing took their opener in three ends 21-23, 21-14, 21-18. This was clearly an excellent partnership, definitely one to stay (hint to the Selection Committee). The second ladies did not find as much rhythm or movement with a new pairing of Jacquie Dennis and Emma. They lost out 12-21, 10-21.

Up next, the first set of the men’s doubles. First pair Graham Barr and Martin Harvey (making his senior county debut) showed a good combination of powerful attacking play and a solid defensive base. Victory went to the Cambs pair 21-15, 20-22, 21-12. Kaylan and Will played next against a new Lincs pairing. Kaylan played some of his best levels yet with great vision and combined well with Will. The pair eased through to a 21-8, 21-11 victory.

The second games for the ladies next, Alison and Sharon combined very well to win 21-18, 21-11. Emma and Jacquie worked hard and fought for every shot but were beaten to 11-21, 9-21. The men came on again and first pair Graham and Martin won 21-8, 21-17. Very solid. Will and Kaylan had an odd game, winning the first 21-14 but the Lincs pair mixed things up and fought their way back to win the next two ends 12-21, 13-21. By now the Cambs team had chalked up 8 wins but knew that another two would be crucial. Bring on the mixed.

To round off a wonderful debut Martin and Sharon won in two - 21-18, 21-17. Another super debut by Alison with 4 out of 4, Alison and Graham took Cambs to 10 wins, 21-9, 21-14. All three points in the bag, but with Kaylan feeling a bit unwell following what sounds like a lot of badminton, Will filled in for third mixed. Hoping to right last matches loss, Jacquie and Will stepped up to the plate and powered through, 21-18, 21-14. It was a great victory, 3 points in the bag and two debutants doing very well. Just one thing left, who should get player of the match. My vote... split it, Martin and Alison, please come again!

Final score: Cambs IIIrds 11 - Lincs IInd 4.

Match report by Will Hodgkinson.

More information about results of the Cambs III team is available on the Team Page.