2017/18 Senior County Teams Selected

Hi Everybody

Well now the dust from the restricted and tirals has settled, the selection committee has sat down over a few meetings and done the difficult job of trying to select teams. We have done this on a number of criteria:

• County performances from previous seasons;
• Results at the restricted;
• Results in other competitive events (leagues and tournaments);
• Potential for improvement;
• Availability;
• Discipline strength (given the format of the current county Competition);
• Commitment to the county.

We have been exceptionally lucky to be able to field some very strong teams this year and are hoping that we can fight for promotion in all 3 divisions.

Dates for your diary:

• 11th November: county match;
• 25th November: county teams social;
• 27th January: county match;
• 24th/25th March: county matches.

Below are the players selected for each county team this season. Please be aware that 1 man can now play in all 3 disciplines in a single match and so some players may play all 3, whilst others may only play 1.

Ist Team

• 2017/18 Ladies: Jenny Crump, Sara Cunnington, Hannah Sharman, Nat Taylor (C)
• 2017/18 Men: Andrew Kidger, Min Dabasinskas, Joe Pickering Sam Scharf, Martin Crossley

IInd Team

• 2017/18 Ladies: Olga Chernysheva, Alison Reed, Alison Meijers, Adele Woodhams, Jess Sharman
• 2017/18 Men: Dan Bates (c), Stephen Pickering, Neil Place, Simon Parker, Chris Tustian, 

IIIrd Team

• 2017/18 Ladies: Kerry Kellett (c), Chanumi Gamage, Steph Jong, Vicky Norris, Hannah Robertshaw
• 2017/18 Men: Jack Curtis, Chris Clarke, Michael Duncan, Mike Parker, Alex Wilson

Reserves 

Ruth le Fevre, Jude Ashman, Liz salmon, James wilson, Abu Kaher, Sanjeev Balasuthenthirarajan, Bertrand Bonnet-Badillé

Reserves are also pulled from a wide variety of players and may change over the season.

Congratulations to all that made it, and best of luck with the season!

The Selection Committee

Start of season newsletter

With the start of the season rapidly approaching, a newsletter from the new County Committee was sent to the secretary of each affiliated club, asking them to pass it on to all of their members playing badminton in the County.

The message contained important information about major changes to the County Committee, and information about junior, senior and masters badminton in the County.  If you didn't get the letter then feel free to nudge your secretary to pass such information along!  In the mean time, the message is below:

Dear Club Secretary,

Please see below some updates about Cambridgeshire Badminton Association for the upcoming season.  I would be grateful if you could circulate this to your members so that they can keep up-to-date about badminton in the County.

AGM

Apologies for the delay in you receiving this information, but ahead of the new season I wanted to let you know that following the Cambridgeshire AGM this year it was agreed to raise the county affiliation fees as follows:

Senior: £2.80
Junior: £0.75
Associated Seniors: £2.00

At the AGM, the majority of the long-standing committee members stood down, after dedicating a very significant period of service.  The leaving members had served on the committee for a breathtaking combined 111+ years of work supporting the sport, and club members!

The County Committee is therefore now as follows:

Chairman/Publicity Officer: Daniel Bates
Secretary: Louise Place
Treasurer: Graham Barr
Registration Secretary: Campbell Wilson
Match Secretary/ South Cambs League Rep: Simon Parker
Tournament Secretary: Neil Place
Coaching Coordinator: James Wilson
Masters Coordinator: Nick Pratt

General Committee Members: Sahan Gamage, Ruth LeFevre, Geoff McCall, Damian Saunders.

Please remember the Association is run by volunteers and we need your support to keep Badminton going in the County. If you can help out with anything or have constructive comments please let us know.

COUNTY RESTRICTED

For those that are interested the annual County Restricted Tournament will be held on the weekend of 1st and 2nd October at Swavesey Village College:

Singles: Saturday 1st October 9am-3pm
Level and Mixed Doubles: Sunday 2nd October 9am-6pm

Anyone wishing to be considered for a County team should certainly make the effort to enter, as this is the best chance to pit your abilities against the most players from around the County. Entries will open within the next couple of weeks (announced on the website and Facebook) and will be via Tournament Software as per last year. 

We are also looking for volunteers to help with running the tournament, even if it's just for an hour or two. Please speak to myself or Neil (neilplace101@gmail.com) if you can help.
Please pass these details on to any of your club members who may be interested.  

MASTERS TEAMS

The county is also running Over 45s and Over 50s teams this year and are hoping to have an Over 40s team next year. If you are in either of these age groups (or approaching soon) and would like to get involved please contact Nick Pratt (nick.pratt68@gmail.com).

JUNIORS

We are also very excited that the County is fielding two junior teams this season, for the first time in several years.  Cambridgeshire will have an U18 and U16 team, and the teams will participate in regular squad practice sessions.  If you have juniors who you think are strong enough to try out for a team, please send in their details so that they can be invited.

COACHING

The Association has a long-standing commitment to coaching and development within the County.  If you are interested in taking your coaching badges, the County offers bursaries to help with the cost for anyone who can demonstrate they will be coaching in the area.  Please contact me for more information.

To keep up-to-date with other badminton news in the County, please do check the website at www.cambridgeshirebadminton.org and ‘like’ the Facebook page (search for “Cambs Badminton”).

Wishing you all an enjoyable and successful season!

Any comments or queries, please let me know.

Kind Regards,

Louise Place
Hon. Secretary
Cambridgeshire County Badminton

Senior County Team Trials

All-comers County team trials will be held at CRC on 20th September, 2-4pm.

The purpose of the session is to provide an opportunity for people to put themselves forward for potential county selection and provide a chance to identify potential for the future.

There are 3 courts booked for 2 hours, shuttles provided by the county; there will be a small contribution to the courts needed depending on numbers.

As we are constrained to only 6 court hours, numbers must be limited to around 20 to avoid long periods of sitting off. Priority will be given to those who RSVP first.

Anyone interested should email the selection committee to let them know: selection@cambridgeshirebadminton.org

Cambs Ist Team End Season on Norfolk High

Preparations for the first teams final match started early with a hearty curry on the Saturday night, putting a fire in everyone's belly. It was a lovely surprise that Olga could make it along to catch up with everyone, and we all wish her a full and speedy recovery. 

With an hours less sleep, the Ist and IIIrd Cambridgeshire teams made their way North to Norfolk. Min and Paul set the team off to a positive start, both winning their singles in straight sets. Alison, despite breaking the strings in both her rackets also took the second ladies singles in straight sets. Nat played amazingly and made a great comeback from a set down to take the first ladies singles in three, giving Cambs a 4-0 lead heading into the doubles.

The men continued their winning run, and were successful in taking all four games with an extremely close point-by-point battle between the second pairs! Both of the ladies doubles pairs were out-classed by a very strong (and ex-England) Norfolk first pair, but Nat and Sara managed to pick up their second game comfortably. Alison and Lou battled out and unfortunately lost the grip on the game against the second pair in three sets.

Heading into the mixed we had secured the win, but were even more determined to make 11 games to give us the best chance of finishing second in the division. Min and Alison had a good steady game and managed to take a straight sets victory. Nat and Si gained an early win through a retired Norfolk player, disappointing as they were both playing so well. Saving the best for last, Sam and Sara took the final mixed in three sets giving the team a 12-3 victory over Norfolk.

Player of the match deservedly goes to Sam for his grit, determination and pulling the serve out for the last match of the season!

Thanks to Si for supplying the delicious sugary treats that fueled us through the games. A special thanks to Liz Salmon of the third team for sharing her totally amazing home baked cream egg brownies!

The team: Mindaugas Dabasinskas, Paul Heads, Simon Woodhouse, Sam Scharf, Natalie Taylor, Sara Cunnington (c), Alison Meijers, Louise Tarbit.

Match report by Alison Meijers.

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

Cambs I Battle Leics For Vital Points

It was a fighting Cambs Ist team that turned up to take on the almighty undefeated Leicestershire side and after the previous 12-3 loss we knew it was going to be a tough game. With all to play for as we near the end of the season, we knew the importance of that extra bonus point!

So it was a very excited (possibly due to a sugar rush) Cambs I Captain that bounced into the Babington sports hall, followed by the energetic (ahem) Paul, and then by Min’s usual chilled out stride. 

The singles were always going to be close, and they didn’t disappoint. Although Paul struggled against the consistency of one of the White twins, Min glided his way to win 22-20 against the other White twin. It was then the nail biting, heart racing, couldn’t watch it was that close ladies singles that really got the crowd cheering. Both went to three sets and came down to the last couple of points. Nat narrowly missed out in a 22-20 3rd end, while Alison, playing her debut singles, managed to fight back after being a few points down to take her third set 25-23.

So we went into the doubles 2-2, already a significantly better score than the previous 4-0 result. 

It was the debut match for Vicky Norris, and Daniel Bates also stepped in to play in the doubles. Although not winning their games, once settled into the faster pace of play they both picked up their games and did themselves proud. 

Despite being without their strongest man, Tom Armstrong, Leicester’s men proved too strong and took all 4 games. With a strong ladies side, the pairing of Vicky and Alison also lost both their doubles. It was a good day for the 1st ladies pair as Nat and Sara stepped up their game and looked in control throughout, taking both games in two sets. 

That meant that we were going into the mixed needing two games to get that all important bonus point, and the mixed 1 & 2 pairing didn’t disappoint. The new pairing of Min & Alison, followed by the regular pairing of Si & Nat stormed their games to both win in two sets. Once again demonstrating the strength of Cambs mixed.

So prior to this game Leicestershire’s worse score had been an 11-4 win, therefore a 9-6 score was a good result for Cambs I.

There were several strong performances making selecting a player of the match tough, but it deservingly went to Alison Meijers for her enthusiasm for playing singles, willingness to step into whatever position was needed, and for meeting the challenge set by winning her singles and mixed.
 
Thanks also to Min for baking (another ahem needed), and more importantly for also buying brownies

The team: Mindaugas Dabasinskas, Paul Heads, Simon Woodhouse, Daniel Bates, Natalie Taylor, Vicky Norris, Sara Cunnington (c), Alison Meijers.

Match report by Sara Mason.

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

Cambs Ist Christmas Bonus

On Sunday 15th December Cambridgeshire’s Ist badminton team kicked off Christmas in style as they took on East Anglian Division 2 East league rivals, Norfolk.  Norfolk fielded four extremely strong ladies, so Cambs knew it was going to be a tough match.

The match started with the men’s singles, Min Dabasinskas playing Norfolk’s top singles player (Daniel Leers) and Paul Heads playing their second singles player (Mike Philpott).  Both games were extremely hardly fought with the rest of the Cambs players maintaining the standing of being the loudest supporters in the league!  Both Min and Paul played outstandingly and were eventually both victorious.

Next was the turn of the ladies singles, with Natalie Taylor playing against their top singles player (Devon Minnis) and Olga Bryant playing against their second lady (Louise Culyer).  Unfortunately, the opposition were too strong and both Cambs ladies lost in two straight games.

Next came the doubles, with Cambs’ first mens pair of Min and Simon Woodhouse teaming up together and winning both of their doubles games in style against Gerrard/Atmore and Piff/Leers.    Paul then paired up with Sam Scharf to play well and pick up a win against Piff/Leers, but unfortunately lost to Gerrard/Atmore, losing 23-21 in the second end.

The ladies doubles was always going to be an uphill struggle with Norfolk fielding current and ex-England National players.  Nat and Sara Cunnington had a slow start against their top pair of Culyer/Pike, but came back stronger in the second end, narrowing losing out, but fared better against Norfolk’s second pair (Minnis/Cooper), losing a very close three-ender, 21-18 in the third.  Olga and Alison Meijers then took on the might of Norfolk, but also lost to both Norfolk pairs, although in extremely close games.

So, Cambs were 5-7 down going into the mixed doubles and needed all three to win.  Cambs first pair of Min/Olga and 3rd pair, Sam/Sara, went on court and quickly showed their dominance, winning both games comfortably.  The last game on court (second mixed) Si/Nat v Atmore/Culyer became the match decider…So to keep everyone their toes, Nat and Si decided to make it as close as possible and see how many supporters nerves would break!!!  Luckily, they were “completely” in control and eventually won the third end 24-22… giving Cambs Ist Team their first victory of the season.

Thanks to Sara and Alison for baking lovely Christmas treats and congratulations to Si and Min for winning joint players of the match.

So in true Cambs 1st celebratory style (and to get in the Christmas spirit) you are expected to sing the rest of the match report…

Ready??....

On the 12 days of Christmas Cambs 1st team gave to me…
12 points for league leaders 
11 points more than cambs had!
10 days til Christmas
9 ladies doubles ends 
8 top cambs players
7 doubles ends won
6 men’s singles ends
5 hours of badminton
4 doubles pairs
3 mixed doubles wins
2 men of the match 
And A WIN FOR CAMBS BADMINTON FIRSTS!!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The team: Mindaugas Dabasinskas, Paul Heads, Simon Woodhouse, Sam Scharf, Natalie Taylor, Olga Bryant, Sara Cunnington (c), Alison Meijers.

Match report by Natalie Taylor.

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

Cambs Ists Host League Leaders Leics I

On 1st December Cambridgeshire Ist team hosted league leaders Leicestershire I in what was inevitably going to be a very tough afternoon.  And so it proved...

Having been a long-standing & established Premier Division team only a few seasons ago, it's rather a surprise to see Leicestershire's Ist team competing in Division 2 this season.  And with this season's return of their star player Tom Armstrong from coaching in New Zealand, Leicestershire appear to be back to the strength of prior years; which they are emphatically proving so far this season, having won all of their opening 3 matches against Norfolk, Hertfordshire & Warwickshire with convincing 12-3 scorelines.

Cambridgeshire were therefore under no illusions of the size of the task facing them as singles players took to the courts...

Min Dabasinskas produced an excellent performance to take Tom Armstrong to 3 sets, but the opponent was able to show his true pedigree in the 3rd end, taking it 21-9.

At second singles Paul Heads showed early promise in the first end, losing out 21-15 to a meticulous James White.  However the resolute steadiness & consistency of the Leicestershire player proved too much as he took the second end 21-9.

Leicestershire completed the clean-sweep of the singles games by also taking both ladies' singles.  Natalie Taylor narrowly lost out in 21-15 in a deciding set, despite producing what was arguably her strongest singles performance of the season.  And at second singles, Olga Bryant fell to a 21-15, 21-16 defeat.

The first round of level doubles followed in the same vein as Leicestershire enforced their strength, again taking all 4 rubbers despite some very close contests; most notably Natalie & Sara Cunnington at top ladies doubles, losing out 21-17 in a deciding set.  There were also fighting performances from Ist team debutant Abu Kaher, and Adele Woodhams.

However, the second round of level doubles saw Cambridgeshire eventually reap rewards for all their efforts.  Simon Woodhouse & Min took a fantastic straight-sets victory against the strong twin-brother pairing of James & Simon White.  And Natalie & Sara showed they were back to top form with a straight-sets victory over Leicestershire's second ladies pair.

Cambridgeshire were trailing 10-2 going in to the mixed, with a league point out of reach, but needing just one of the three mixed matches to reach the more realistic goal of matching the scoreline achieved by the division's other teams.

Min & Olga faced the arduous task at top mixed of facing Tom Armstrong & Sarita Patel, and were unable to produce an upset despite a strong start, falling 21-16, 21-10.

At third mixed Paul & Sara came flying out of the blocks in the first set, and showed their battling qualities in a tight second set, as they toppled Mark King & Jenny Scarlett 21-8, 23-21; moving Cambridgeshire's tally to 3.

Sadly, the opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the league, and take more games from Leicestershire than any other opponent this season, fell short in unfortunate circumstances.

At second mixed Simon & Natalie appeared to be in control as they lead the opening set 14-9, showing excellent attacking pace.  However, an untimely & unwelcomed recurrence of an old back injury cut Simon's afternoon short.  Despite bravely attempting to play through the first set, given their considerable lead, they were unable to stagger over the finish line, losing 21-19.  Sadly, a second set never made it to court.

So, despite a 12-3 loss, there were plenty of positives to take forward in the campaign.  And realistically, the fate of Cambridgeshire's season was never going to be determined on this result.  Much more crucial is the visit of Norfolk in two weeks time, where a victory will be essential in the battle to avoid the dreaded threat of relegation.

Congratulations to Natalie Taylor on being voted player of the match.

The team: Mindaugas Dabasinskas, Paul Heads, Simon Woodhouse, Abu Kaher, Natalie Taylor, Olga Bryant, Sara Cunnington (c), Adele Woodhams.

Match report by Simon Woodhouse.

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