County Selection 2012-2013

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

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

For anyone who is disappointed at not making a team, it is worth noting that in previous seasons there have been more than enough times when players have been required to play up to support higher teams. It is likely that everyone will get their chance to shine at some point.

This season we are submitting three teams: Ist team (Division 3 Central), IInd team (Division 5 Central) and IIIrd team (Division 6 East).  More details are available in the 'Senior County Squads' sections.

The targets for this year are for the Ist team to obtain promotion back to what is now Division 2.  The IInd team have got a very strong challenge, to do well in their division which includes the Ulster team.  The IIIrd team excelled themselves to go through the playoffs last year, and we would hope that they might be able to do the same again this season!

The teams as selected are:

Ist Team

Ladies: Olga Bryant, Jen Hewitt, Sara Mason (c), Natalie Taylor

Men: Min Dabasinskas, Tom Li, Neil Place, Simon Woodhouse

IInd Team

Ladies: Laurel Bennett, Katie Morton, Jessica Sharman, Louise Tarbit

Men: Daniel Bates (c), Paul Heads, Stephen Pickering, James Wilson

IIIrd Team

Ladies: Sharon Chandler, Emma Brewster, Jacquie Dennis, Holly Gayle, Stacy Knoop

Men: Graham Barr, Geoff Green, Aiden Foo, Martin Harvey, Will Hodgkinson, Paul Martell, Kaylan Sutton-Ziaian, Tom Zhang

John Tibbutt (Non-playing Captain)

Squad

(These are players who might be available for selection from time to time, but are not nominated to specific teams)

Kevin Barron, Damien Dugmore, Owen Mugeridge, Joe Pickering, Sam Scharf, Abu Kaher

There is of course the possibility that other players from the County may be asked to play as and when options become available.

The first County match is for the IInd team on 14th October, with the Ist and IIIrd teams playing the week after on 21st October.  All three are home matches at CRC.

Have a great season, enjoy your games, and play well!

The Selection Team (Daniel, Neil, Sara and John)

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.

Essex II vs Cambs I

So the second match for the first team in division 1 and with a rearranged team due to a couple of injuries we went trying to get a point against a Essex team that will be fighting Middlesex for promotion so we knew it was going to be tough.

The men’s singles was always going to be tough and so it proved with Sam Scharf losing the first singles, 10 and 10. Stephen Pickering found his opposition much tougher than last time losing 6 and 9.

The Ladies singles however was much closer with Olga Bryant losing in three ends 11-21, 21-12 and 7-21 and Nat Taylor at second singles winning 21-16, 21-11.

The men’s doubles showed a rearranged line up with Simon Woodhouse playing with Stephen at one and Sam playing with James Wilson at two, the first games showed that it was new pairings with Simon and Stephen losing 21-16 and 21-13, and the Sam and James losing 21-17 and 21-13 the reverse doubles however were much closer with Sam and James narrowly losing to the first pair, 21-17 and 21-19. Simon and Stephen going to three games but still losing 12-21, 21-18, 7-21.

The Ladies also had a tough first set of games with Sara Mason and Nat losing 15-21, 19-21 and second pair of Olga and Hannah Sharman also losing in 2 17-21 and 17-21. However in the reverse doubles there was a great effort by both pairs with Nat and Sara winning 21-14 and 21-18. Then with some phenomenal play by Hannah, she and Olga won 25-23 and 21-19.

This put us in the same position as the previous match needing all three mixed for a point. Olga and Stephen playing a 1st mixed faced tough opposition and unfortunately lost in straight games 21-19 and 21-16. Sara and James playing at 2nd also had some really tough opposition for a second pair and didn’t look out played but lost in two, 21-18 and 21-17. Finally in 3rd Nat and Si managed to regain some honour for the team winning 21-15 and 22-20.

Player of the Day as selected by the team was Hannah Sharman, but mention also ought to go to Nat who once again won 3 out of 4 games.

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

Cambs I Fight Hard in Season Opener

Following promotion last year, Cambs first team began what will inevitably be a hard-fought season with a 5-10 loss to Middlesex. Natalie Taylor was the standout performer, winning her singles, mixed with Simon Woodhouse, and one ladies with recent County addition Sara Mason. Simon also teamed up with Neil to win one of their mens, and Sara joined Neil to win their mixed as well.

Cambs were in contention throughout, and a lot of the games were very close. Middlesex are a strong team in this league, so if the team push ahead with this level of effort and committment, then the goal of survival in the division should be more than achievable.

Captains Report

The first match against Middlesex bought a family rivalry to Cambridgeshire with Simon Woodhouse’s older brother playing for the opposition. Because we had all 4 courts we sent all four singles on at once, Sam Scharf playing 1st singles was up against a class singles player who comfortably beat him in two games, meanwhile Stephen Pickering was in a longer 2 set battle and eventually went down 19 and 19.

The Ladies singles was closer with Olga Bryant wining the first end 24 – 22 unfortunately then lost the next 2 games to lose the rubber, Nat Taylor at second singles however offer a ray of hope winning easily in two games 21-15 and 21-10.

On to the doubles in the men’s Simon and Neil Place went on for the family crunch game against Daniel and Jinesh who had won the Middlesex restricted for the last 2 years and although playing well lost 21-18 and 21-16 meanwhile Sam and Jon Carson had, had an equally close game against the second pair and lost 21-17 and 21-19.

In the reverse double Neil and Simon lost the first end 23-25 and then went onto win the next two games 21-13 and 21-10 giving Cambs men their first winning rubber however Sam and Jon struggled against the Middlesex 1st pair losing 21-16 and 21-8.

In the ladies there was a better start with new-to-the-county Sara Mason and Nat justifying their number one status by beating the Middlesex first pair 21-19, 14-21 and 21-18, however second pair Olga and Hannah Sharman did not fare so well losing 12-21 and 20-22.

In the reverse of the ladies Sara and Nat battled against the second pair and unfortunately lost in three ends, 22-20, 20-22 and 17-21, Olga and Hannah did not fare much better losing 20-22 and 14-21.

This meant we needed all 3 mixed to try and salvage a point from the day, first to win was Neil and Sara playing at 3rd winning 21-16, and 22-20, second off was Simon and Nat playing at 2nd who won 21-18 and 22-20, unfortunately Olga and Stephen playing at 1st mixed failed to win going down 15-21 20-22.

A tough first foray in the division but some highlights, the team decided to nominate Nat Taylor as player of the Day winning 3 out of 4 games, also deserving a mention are Sara Mason, Simon Woodhouse and Neil Place who won 2 out of their 3 games.  This was not enough to get us a point but Middlesex are fighting for promotion so will be one of tougher teams in the division.

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

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.

1sts Fight for a third victory

The first team went out looking for their third victory of the season against a Kent team who could pose a problem to Cambridgeshire's promotion hope.

Men's singles went one first with Stephen Pickering going up against a player who played for Kent seconds last year, he had a tough first end losing 21 - 18 but dominated in the second to win 21-12, going into the third with confidence then struggled to cope with a rampent opposition lost 21-10.

The second mens singles saw veteran Kevin Barron dragged out of retirement to come and play singles, he showed all his class in a marathon 3 setter winning 21-18, 18-21 and 21-15.

The ladies singles saw Olga Bryant stretch her unbeaten record this season to 9 with an easy 21-14 and 21-13.

And Jaclyn Lai at second singles stepped up to win her first singles this year 21-15 and 21-10, hopefully the first of many this year.

With Cambs in a strong place of 3 - 1 up after the singles the first mens doubles wents on full of confidence, scratch pairing of Stephen Pickering and Neil Place sutruggled in there first end losing 15 -21 stepped up there game to win the second 21 - 13 and fought hatrd in the third end to win 22-20 after being 20-18 down.

Second pair of Kevin Barron and Sunny Loi went on against there second and showed why they've won the restricted twice and dominated to win in two 21-14 and 21-18.

The reverse mens doubles with Neil and Stephen playing the second pair determined to get there moneys worth went to three eventually winning 21-12, 17-21 and 21-14.

The last mens doubles was always going to be close with a strong kent first pair determined to win after losing there first game and so it proved with a battling three ends just losing 22-20, 10-21 and 23-25.

The Ladies doubles has been a strength for Cambs this year Olga Bryant and Jaclyn Lai continued there winning performance this year with a great fighting spirit in the first game to win 28-26, struggled in the second and lost 18-21 but fought through the third end to win 21-18.

Second pair of Liz Salmon and Amanda Godfrey dominated The second pair to win in two 21-14 and 21-7.

The second pair for Kent then had to conceed there second game through injury, this just left Amanda and Liz to play the Kent first pair, and after a great first end winning 21-18 lost the second 17-21 and then fought to the end valiently losing 21-23.

This left Cambs 9-3 up needed one more rubber to get all 3 points, Olga and Stephen pairing up to win the first mixed easliy, 21-14 and 21-11.

New pairing of Amanda and Neil showed a great understanding to win 21-12 and 21-12.

Third pairing of Liz and Sunny showed fight but unfortunately lost 18-21 and 21-23.

This means Cambs won 11-4 can we keep our unbeaten record going forward to the last match before christmas against Bedfordshire on the 6th of December....

Ist Team Second Victory

Cambs went into todays match against Sussex, knowing that we we're going to face a tougher test than the first match against herts 4, and the mens singles proved to be the case with first singles player Stephen pickering losing in 3, struglling with shuttles that were to fast. And second singles Sam Scharf losing in two. Ladies singles were split with Olga Bryant showing her clas and winning comfortably in two but Jaclyn Lai struggling for consistancy and losing in two. So after the singles Cambs were 3 1 down, looking for more success in the mens doubles than in the mens singles, Sam and Stephen lost there first doubles against the second pair in two but then bounced back to beat the first pair comfortably in two. First doubles pair James Wilson and Neil Place had a similar problem, beat the first pair comfortbly in two games but the lost to the second pair in 3 with some uncharasteristic mistakes.

The ladies doubles had more success with the singles players pairing up, beating the first pair in a battling 3 sets with Olga playing some amazing badminton, and then easily beating the second pair with some great power hitting for Jaclyn dominating the game. Second ladies pair of Liz Salmon and Amanda Godfrey went on against the second pair and fought valiently to beat a determined second pair in 3 followed by going on against the sussex first pair and going down in a very close 3 set battle. So after the double the match score of 6 all meant we needed 2 mixed to win the match, new pairing of Stephen and Olga took the Sussex first pair to pieces to win comfortably in two. Second mixed pairing of Liz and Neil played a dominating game to bully there opponants in to a two victory. Third mixed pairing of Amanda and James, battled through a challenging game to pull out a 3 set victory against the thirds. So another victory for the Cambs first team searching for promotion this year, with a tough game against Kent to come next can we continue the winning streak....