Cambridgeshire Badminton Association AGM - 18th May 2011

The Annual General Meeting of Cambridgeshire Badminton Association will be held at Comberton Leisure Centre (Gallery Room), on Wednesday 18th May 2011, at 19:30.

All clubs are welcome, and encouraged, to attend the AGM.

For any questions regarding the AGM please contact the Secretary on r.buttle@ntlworld.com.

3rd Team start off with win

On the 31st October, Cambridgeshire 3 recorded their first ever win in the ICC with a 9-6 victory over Oxfordshire 3 at CRC. Fielding a new look team this season, including 3 juniors winning their first county caps, Cambs 3 got off to a slow with Will Hodgkinson and Campbell Wilson (J) losing both mens singles in 3 ends. The ladies faired better, with Laurel Bennet and Jess James (J) both recording wins to square the match, Laurel winning in 2 ends and Jess in 3.

Cambs got off to a strong start in the doubles with Will and Andy Kind overpowering the Oxfordshire 1st pair, winning in 2 ends. This was matched by Campbell and Josh Males (J) with a fantastic first senior win against the Oxfordshire second pair, again in 2 ends. Both the ladies first round games were very close, with Emma Best and Tracey Bichener unfortunate to lose a tight 3 ender. Laurel and Jess though ultimately proved too strong for the Oxfordshire 2nd pairing and came through an equally tight game to win in 3. This left the match score at 5-3 in favour of Cambs. The reverse doubles started in the same way as the previous games with Will and Andy again too strong for their opponents. Campbell and Josh found things tougher second time around, and went down in 2 close sets to the Oxfordshire 1st pair. The ladies were more successful, Emma and Tracey winning in 3 against the Oxfordshire 2nd pair and Laurel and Jess winning in 2 against the 1st pair. This final doubles game left the match score at 8-4 and confirmed a fantastic win for Cambs.

The icing on the already very special cake would have been to get maximum points, but the mixed proved a stretch too far. Josh and Emma won a close 3 ender for the 3rd mixed, but the first two mixed games had already gone to Oxfordshire with both Tracey and Andy, and Will and Laurel losing in 2 and 3 ends respectively. Nevertheless, for the 3rd team to record their first ever win in only their second season is a fantastic result. Next match is the 28th November at home to Middlesex 4.

Cambs II vs Suffolk II

It’s been a tough season for the Cambridgeshire second team, struggling for consistency while only fielding the same set of ladies once, and never the same mixed pairings. Another new-look team travelled the long road to Ipswich for the second of back-to-back games against second-placed Suffolk. Having lost 6-9 only two weeks before, and facing Suffolk on their (somewhat illusive) Ipswich YMCA home turf, the second team knew that that they would have to pull off something really special if they were to bring anything home. With the fight for survival at the bottom of the league looking like it will go to the final games, every point counts at this stage.

Having observed the singles competition in the previous match, the men of the team had conferred and agreed that no-one was likely to have the strength to conquer the Suffolk premiere man. Captain Daniel Bates agreed to sacrifice his statistics for the team, and to preserve energy levels for the other men to play the other disciplines. However, while he was beaten swiftly, the youthful trinity of Sam Pickup, Jess Sharman and Molly Carter, all fought bravely. While Jess was overcome, Sam and Molly gave the team renewed hope by winning their singles - Molly battling through to win in two straight games. A superb introduction to representing the County in singles at second team level.

The viewing balcony was a maelstrom of emotions at this point, with the frustrations of selection disagreements swirling intermixed with the heady suspicion that there were vital points to be taken from the match. However, as the doubles started, it seemed like any frustrations were being focused anew into effort in the games. The men matched their previous results, with Sam and Paul Martell continuing a long season of excellent performances and capturing both games. Daniel and Rob Couch struggled to match their consistency, with thundering wins one end being matched by unsettled defeats at the other.

It was the ladies’ results that once again offered hope of some reward from the day, with Lisa Hawes and Sandra Ashcroft applying themselves vigorously against the Suffolk first pair, and coming out winners in the third end. With Jess and Molly also winning against the same pair in an extremely tense grandstand finish (and showing a calmness belying their ages), the ladies also came away from the doubles with two vital games.

That left the match 7-5 going into the mixed, and by that time the team was growing in confidence and spirit. Surprisingly, this seasons Mr and Mrs Reliable - Paul and Sandra, were beaten quickly. Victims of some rearrangement of the Suffolk pairings from the previous match. However, the blending of (very) old age and youth in the new pairings of Daniel and Jess, and Rob and Molly, fought valiantly, and amid much cheering and celebration, took both their games to three ends, leaving the result 9-6 in Cambridgshire’s favour. A terrific result against a strong team towards the top of the league.

This reversal of the previous result is a testament to the effort put in by the team, and the spirit shown. With only two matches left – one of which is against the only team below Cambridgeshire in the league (by three points) – and continuing to face selection difficulties due to clashing commitments, it is that continued effort that the team will need to ensure security for next year. However, with youngsters like Sam, Jess and Molly improving with every game, the outlook for the second team should be bright.

1st Team Promotion

After a tough win against kent the first team went into today with a chance of gaining promotion with a 10 - 5 victory against the team that beat them just before christmas.

The mens singles went on with Stephen Pickering going on to challenge the same player who beat him before and although put up a valient battle lost in two straight sets. Kevin Baron dragged out of retirement to play the singles had a battle over two sets but lost out to 19 in both.

So going into the ladies singles Cambs were two nil down, Olga Bryant went in to defend her unbeaten record at first singles and fought to a 21 -19 victory in the first her dominace established she sealed her victory in the second 21 - 12. Nat Taylor then went on for her first singles since coming back and showed her class winning 21-10 21-10.

The mens double went on with James wilson and Neil Place looking to avenge there defeat from earlier in the season unfortunatly lot 21-19 in the third end against beds first pair and in the turn around after a good win in the first set lost in three to the second pair. Sam and Stephen faired better losing to the second pair in two but quickly establishing there dominance against the first pair won in two comfortable sets.

So once again it was left to the ladies to drag the county through, Olga and Hannah showing their growing strength by beating the first pair 22-20 and then 21-16, in the turnaround again they show that they. Were a class above winning 21-12 and 21-16. Nat and Amanda quickly over came the second pair 21 -10 and 21-15 but then entered into a threes set epic against the first pair which they finally won 21-15 in the third. This left the score at 7-5 with Cambs needing all 3 mixed to gain promotion.

Stephen and Olga went on in there traditional place at number one pair battled through a long 3 setter to come through 21-15 in the third. Playing slightly out of order Sam and Nat as third's went on and although close won in 2 (21-18, 21-17). The last mixed was then Neil and Hannah who despite some nerves near the end came through in two games, this gives the county a 10-5 victory and guarentees the promotion.

A special mention has to be given to the basketball team due to be in the sports hall at 4 o clock who gave us an additional 20 minutes of court time to finish our victory.

Bushfields Fun Tournament Results

Winners

Girls Under 11

Singles: Nicole Stefanelli
Doubles: Katie Heyes / Alice Bates

Girls Under 13

Singles: Sarah Cooper
Doubles: Gemma McGuire / Lucy Botting

Boys Under 11

Singles: Sam Phelps
Doubles: Sam Phelps / Ben Conway-Smith

Boys Under 13

Singles: Ashley James
Doubles: Ashley James / James Veitch

43rd Cambs Senior Tournament Results

43rd Cambridgeshire Senior Tournament 2010

Mens Singles (Semi Finals)

Richard Wrigley (Worcs)btTim Cope (Lancs)21-18, 21-15Toby Penty (Surrey)btJack Molyneux (Surrey)16-21, 21-12, 21-15

Final
Toby PentybtRichard Wrigley21-17, 21-15
Ladies Singles (Semi Finals)
Elena Johnson (Middx)btGemma Whiting (Kent)21-12, 16-21, 21-16Jo Dix (Hants)btMiriam Beales (Herts)21-9, 15-21, 21-11
Final
Elena Johnson (Middx)btJo Dix (Hants)25-23, 21-15
Mens Doubles (Semi Finals)
Andrew Brunning

Chris Dakin (Essex)

btBarry Francis

Daniel Plant (Essex)

21-16, 23-25, 21-16Mike Cooper

Lewis Halsey (Surrey)

btPhilip Manners (Leics)

Steven Stobart (Surrey)

21-19, 21-17Final
Andrew Brunning

Chris Dakin (Essex)

btMike Cooper

Lewis Halsey (Surrey)

21-18, 9-21, 21-8Ladies Doubles (Semi Finals)
Katherine Cooper

Julie Pike (Norfolk)

btLydia Henderson-Boyle (Kent)

Julie Russell (Wilts)

21-11, 21-10Jo Dix (Hants)

Gemma Whiting (Kent)

btElena Johnson

Kate Lester (Middx)

18-21, 22-20, 21-16Final
Jo Dix (Hants)

Gemma Whiting (Kent)

btKatherine Cooper

Julie Pike (Norfolk)

21-16, 21-13Mixed Doubles (Semi Finals)
Jack Molyneux (Surrey)

Gemma Whiting (Kent)

btSteven Stobart (Surrey)

Kate Lester (Middx)

24-26, 21-17, 21-13Ian Murphy

Katherine Cooper (Norfolk)

btJohn Hepworth (Dorset)

Julie Pike (Norfolk)

21-18, 21-10Final
Ian Murphy

Katherine Cooper (Norfolk)

btJack Molyneux (Surrey)

Gemma Whiting (Kent)

21-14, 21-12

Cambs II beat Leicestershire IV

The players of Cambridgeshire II evidently decided on a staggered approach to arrival at the match against Leicestershire IV, leaving the Captain wondering if team selection was going to be performed on arrival time (based on sat-nav success) rather than ability. However, once everyone was in place, the singles commenced. Rob Couch and Sam Pickup both went into their games confident, and supported with the traditionally vocal second team support, were quick to take the honours. Rob asserted himself well, while Sam having taken a very convincing first, toyed with allowing the opponent back before shutting him out. The ladies singles was a harder proposition, with Leicestershire fielding a powerful pair. Hannah Sharman and Sandra Ashcroft struggled manfully (womanfully?!) but lost both in straight games.

The match was level going into the doubles, where the men’s domination continued. Rob and Daniel Bates powered to quick victories against both pairs, with a demonstration of the communication of a long-standing partnership. Sam and Paul Martell are very quickly knitting their own successful partnership, and won both of theirs – with a tight game against the Leics first pair stretching to 27-25 in the third end. Cue much cheering and whooping. Sadly, the ladies struggled again with the rest of the Leicestershire girls being of a similar quality - Hannah and Lisa Hawes, and Sandra and Sharon Chandler all losing in straight sets.

Into the final straight then, with the match remaining in the balance – cue much nail-biting and inspirational talk. With first and second mixed going on, Paul and Sandra grasped a convincing win quickly. However, Rob and Sharon took longer to re-acquaint themselves. Before the match, the season’s statistics had been processed into a spreadsheet that showed Rob had so far been entirely consistent in losing every first end of any mixed game, and then subsequently winning. Unwilling to buck the trend, Rob and Sharon dropped the first and then stood on the precipice before rescuing two further 21-19 results. This meant the match was won, relieving the pressure on Daniel and Hannah which allowed them to express themselves more freely. Hannah showed real class and composure, and they won in two straight games despite a close second. In all, a good result for Cambridgeshire, which moves them above Leicestershire into the top half of the table. Team spirit was traditionally good, which is a bonus for a team about to play three times against the top pair of teams…