Cambs I Continue Fight to Avoid Drop

Cambs Ist team went into the crunch match against Oxfordshire Ists needing to win to try and stay in the division. The reverse result of an 8–7 loss at home gave us hope. For once we took a couple of mens singles specialists, newcomer to the team Min Dabasinkas showed great determination but eventually lost 19-21, 21-19, 19-21 to Jack Smith. Tom Li brought up from the IInd team also making his debut showed his potential, but also lost 11-21, 18-21. Nat Taylor put in a great display beating Oxfordshire's number one singles player 21-16, 25-23 - a great result after losing to her at home. In the final singles, Olga Bryant won her first game 21-11, but her opponent started to play much better and eventually she lost in 3 ends.

This left us 3-1 down going into the doubles the same score as when we played them at home, Neil Place and Simon Woodhouse, went on against Oxford's first pair and struggled to get into the game, losing 14-21, 13-21.  Sam Scharf and Dan Bates, showed fight and determination but eventually lost 15-21, 18-21. The Ladies didn’t fair much better with Nat Taylor and Sara Mason losing a close first end 20-22, and then struggling in the second end losing 10-21. In the final doubles, Olga Bryant and Hannah Sharman had a long battle with Oxford's 2nd pair but eventually lost 19-21, 15-21.

This left us 7-1 down going into the reverse doubles.  After a brief 'we can still win this' speech by Sam, we went in with renewed determination.  Neil and Simon fought through a tough first game to win 21-17, completely lost concentration in the second and lost 7-21, however recovered and won in three to a final score of 21-16. Dan and Sam showed equal determination losing the first end 16-21, fighting back to win the second 23-21, but unfortunately losing the 3rd game 11-21. The ladies showed equal grit and determination with Nat and Sara showing their class by winning 21-17, 21-16. Unfortunately Olga and Hannah faced an uphill battle against Oxford’s 1st’s and lost against high class opponents 12-21, 16-21.

This meant to get a point we needed all 3 mixed games to go our way. First victory came from the 3rd pair of Sara and Neil who comfortably won 21-12, 21-7. Second game off was the new 1st pair of Sam and Nat, who unfortunately couldn’t overcome a strong Oxford 1st pair losing 13-21, 16-21. This left second new pair of Simon and Olga fighting in a epic game which they eventually won 21-19, 19-21, 21-19.

This means we now need to win our next 2 games 10-5 or better to stay in the division, Bring on Herts.

Neil Place - Captain

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

U11 and U13 Fun Tournament for Juniors and New Players

If you're a budding U11 or U13 badminton player, there's another upcoming Fun Tournament at Burwell on 17th March from 12 noon.

You do not necessarily need to be in a club already to play in a fun tournament. If you want to give the sport a try, or have played at school and enjoyed it, this is a great introduction to a little competition.

For more details see the entry form. There should be some really fun badminton for lots of potential badminton stars!

O40's in Enjoyable Essex Whitewash

On Sunday 29th January, the Over 40s travelled to Essex in their return match after losing 10-2 earlier in the season, the Cambs team were hoping for a better result.

The Essex team were once again extremely strong, and the match was as brief as this write up.

In the Mens Doubles Essex won all 4 rubbers, with Les Pratt and Kevin Barron winning one end. The other pairing of Nick Pratt/Neil Mortimer losing both match in close two ends.

The ladies did not fare much better, with Amanda Godfrey/Tracy Bichener and Sharon Chandler/Janet Farrington losing both their rubbers in 2 ends.

Although 8–0 going into the mixed, we were fighting for pride, and to see who could at least win a rubber.

1st Pairing – Kevin/Sharon going down in 2 ends
2nd Pairing – Nick/Amanda going down in 2 close ends
3rd Pairing – Les/Janet going down in 2 ends
4th Pairing – Neil/Tracy going down in 3 ends

Final match score was 12–0 to Essex, although the games were very enjoyable.

More information about results of the Cambs O40 team is available on the Team Page.

Cambs Senior Silver Circuit Tournament: Cambs' Sara Mason Triumphs in Mixed

Cambridgeshire's Badminton England Senior Silver Circuit Open Tournament was held at CRC on Friday and Saturday.

The mens singles largely followed the seeding, with Worcestershire's Richard Wrigley beating third seed Christopher Gilbert (Middlesex) in the final. However, with the withdrawal of first seed Emily Jeffs (Buckinghamshire) in the ladies singles, second seed Toni Blake (Buckinghamshire) eventually triumphed against a sturdy challenge from Mary Le Druillenec (Warwickshire), having also beaten Cambridgeshire's Natalie Taylor in a three-ended quarter final.

In the mens doubles, despite some long, exciting and close games, none of Cambridgeshire's pairs progressed beyond the second round. The surprise came when only the fourth seeds Dean George (Sussex) and Chris Tonks (Warwickshire) reached the finals, where they enjoyed a convincing victory against Ian Murphy (Norfolk) and James White (Leicestershire).

The ladies doubles also saw Cambridgeshire's players struggling to impose themselves against strong opposition, and unexpected unseeded victors in Kelly Holdway (Hampshire) and Claire Milward (Warwickshire) who defeated second seeds Toni Blake (Buckinghamshire) and Bethany Jeffs (Buckinghamshire) in a nailbiting 21-19 24-22 final.

Finally, it was in the mixed doubles where Cambridgeshire found success, with Sara Mason teaming up with former Warwickshire partner Chris Tonks to resoundingly defeat third seeds James and Bernie Babington (Yorkshire) 21-9 21-8.

Overall, this year's tournament was of a very high standard, with some excellent performances from a very strong field over a couple of days of truly exciting badminton.

The full results are available online.

You can also now see the entries on the BE Tournament Website.

Cambs II Claim New Year Warks Victory

After quite a long journey to an away venue, and a rocky start in the singles, it looked for a short period like the Cambs IInd team were going to be in a long tough day when they travelled to play the Warwickshire IVth team on Sunday 22nd January.

With their sights set on promotion this season, the team were looking to reproduce their commanding form when they won the home leg of this match 15-0. However, with James Wilson, Katie Morton and debutante Geoff Green all losing their singles, it was clear that Warwickshire were resolved to put up more of a fight. Geoff and Katie struggled against tricky singles opponents and lost in straight games, while James took a close first end, before having the game slip away to a more experienced and patient singles player. A ray of hope was offered by Molly Carter (J), who commandingly dispatched her opponent 21-12 21-9 with her usual mix of power and apparently complete relaxation.

Thankfully though, as the doubles began it became clear that Cambs were coming into their own. Skipper Daniel Bates teamed up with James as they imposed themselves powerfully and won both doubles games comfortably in straight games. Molly and Liz Salmon, and Katie and Jessica Sharman (J) both look like pairs who are getting familiar with playing together this season, and won all four of the ladies doubles also in straight games and with convincing scores. This despite being surprised to find themselves facing Cambs alumn Lauren Pickering – representing Warwickshire for her first time since attending Birmingham University. Geoff teamed up with Paul Martell, but under match pressure they struggled to gel quickly enough. Although the beat the second mens’ pairing, they could not overcome the first.

That left Cambs with a 9-4 lead going into the mixed discipline, and needing the last game to ensure the bonus point needed to maintain the title challenge. With two courts available, James and Katie and Daniel and Jessica went on together. Daniel and Jessica held their nerve to win through in straight games. James and Katie lost their first end 19-21, but then settled into their game together to win comfortably in three. Liz and Paul then took to the court, safe in the knowledge that all the points were safe, and cruised to a very comfortable two game win.

So with that win, Cambridgeshire remain in the promotion hunt. Both Lincolnshire and Northants are competitive in the division, so everything still rests on the two remaining matches against them, and on results between them.

The team:
Daniel Bates (c), Paul Martell, Katie Morton: Hurst Badminton Club
Geoff Green: Comberton Badminton Club
Molly Carter, Liz Salmon: St Ives Badminton Club
James Wilson: Ely Victoria Badminton Club
Jessica Sharman: Court Badminton Club

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

Cambs II Pipped to Victory Against Lincs I

The last County match of the year saw the Cambs IInd team trekking North to face Lincs I. Spirits were high, as the team sought to maintain a run of good results and a position at the top of the Division. The quality and quantity of the baking on show by the team was also top drawer.

However, as soon as the singles began, it was clear that the match was going to be tough, and taking points a great challenge. Lincs were fielding a particularly strong mens team, which would not have been out of place several divisions higher, with Harley Towler (currently ranked 13) and Steve Mumby both accomplished singles players. Although they battled manfully, James Wilson and Kevin Barron fell in straight games. The ladies fared much better however, with Molly Carter (J) continuing her commanding unbeaten run in singles this season, and singles debutante Katie Morton also winning in convincing style.

The level doubles were also split straight down the middle. Unsurprisingly, both men’s pairs of Daniel Bates and James, and Paul Martell and Kevin, lost to the first Lincs pairing. They both redeemed themselves by gaining revenge on the second pair though. In the ladies, the Lincs first pair also proved too strong for Liz Salmon and Molly, and Jessica Sharman (J) and Katie, although Liz and Molly pushed them all the way to 20-22 in the third, having romped through the middle game 21-9! Again, both pairs won their games against the second pairing comfortably.

That left the match 6-6 going into the mixed, but with the strength of the Lincs’ men, still an uphill struggle. James and Katie were put to the sword by Harley and his partner Joanne Wressell, while Kevin and Liz enjoyed a quick and comfortable success over the third Lincs pair. This left the middle mixed game on court last, as it had gone to three ends. Despite a valiant fightback in the middle game, Skipper Daniel and partner Jessica were unable to maintain their superiority against a particularly quick and strong opponent who forced his way back into the game, and they were edged out 21-14 in the third.

That left the game in Lincs’ hands 8-7, although Cambs gratefully banked the bonus point, still leaving them top of the table for Christmas. With only three other teams in the league this year, Cambs II have now faced everyone. Similar successes next year would leave us with a chance of promotion subject to a final home face-off against the same Lincs team, and results between other teams in the mean time…

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

Badminton Development Project - Cambridge

A New Year: Want to try a new sport?! 

Why not try GET BACK INTO BADMINTON!  (For adult beginners and those who haven't played for a while).

The 6 week coached course starts on the 12th January at Manor Sports Centre in Cambridge (Arbury Road), 6-7pm for adults who are of beginner level.

For more information see the poster.