IIIrd Team Continue in Promotion Hunt

Cambridgeshire IIIrd team travelled to Wellingborough to take on Northamptonshire IIIrds last weekend for their penultimate ICC Division 5C match. A repeat of their 12-3 home win at the start of the season would keep the pressure on division leaders Bedfordshire II.

Geoff Green and Kaylan Sutton-Ziaian (J) (winning his first senior cap) opened proceedings in the first and second mens singles respectively and got the match off to a perfect start, both winning comfortably in straight sets. The ladies were equally dominant as both Kate Marshall at first singles and Laurel Bennett at second won in straight sets. 4-0 to Cambs.

The first round of mens doubles continued in a similar vein, with both first pair Will Hodgkinson and Josh Males (J) and second pair Geoff and Kaylan beating their opposing Nhants pairs in straight sets. Yet again the ladies matched the men by winning both first round ladies as Kate and Jess James (J), and Laurel and Lisa Lim were not troubled, winning in straight sets. 8-0 to Cambs.

With the match victory already in the bag, talk turned to the possibility of a whitewash. The men kept our hopes high with only Geoff and Kaylan dropping a set in the return doubles games and so securing all 3 points. Kate and Jess also dispatched the Nhants ladies 2nd pair in straight sets and the team watched with baited breath as Laurel and Lisa battled against the Nhants 1st pair in a long 3 setter. Eventually though it became clear that we had jinxed the whitewash, as they fell behind in the final end eventually losing to 9. 11-1 to Cambs.

With the match won and all the points decided the team could have relaxed, but instead maintained their level and took all three of the mixed games. First pair Will and Kate battled away for 3 long sets to eventually win to 11 in the 3rd. Second pair Josh and Lisa cruised through both of their games in two comfortable sets and Geoff and Laurel wrapped things up by winning in 3 at 3rd. The 14-1 win is a great result for the team and keeps the pressure on Beds. Special mention must go to Kaylan for a great display in his first senior county match. I’m confident there will be many more to come!

!! STOP PRESS !!

It seems the pressure finally got to Bedfordshire as they managed to lose their final match of the season 8-7 to Lincs II. This means that a 10-5 or better win for Cambs III against Lincs II on Sunday 4th March will give Cambs III the league title and put them into the playoffs!

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

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.

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.

Cambs III Full Points Against Lincs II

Cambs IIIrds went into this match against Lincs IInds knowing that Beds II had only won the same fixture a narrow margin, and so knew it would be a tough game. The hall was freezing and the shuttles not ideal. However, in the men's singles Josh Males fought hard to win in two ends. Geoff Green, then won a closely fought match to make it two for two in men's singles. The women played some excellent badminton with Kate Marshall winning well in two. Jess James (J) played with a high work rate, exhausting her opponent and winning comfortably in two ends.

An excellent 100% start! This continued with both Will Hodkinson and Josh managing to beat the awkward Linc's pairs taking both men's in two sets. Geoff and Owen Mugridge lost their first, not really managing to get into the game. However, in the second game they fought back like lions to win in three ends with a 27-25 victory in the second! A combination of tight net play and hard hitting was too much for the Lincs pair.

The ladies was steady with some close fought games and dodgy shots (by the Lincs team). A superb Sharon Chandler combined with Jess to clean up comfortably. Kate and Laurel Bennett playing together for the first time lost narrowly in a tight three ended set, loosing 23-21 in the last and loosing in a straight set loss against the second pair.

Cambs went into the mixed with nine points on the board, needing one more for the bonus point. This was provided by through a clever and steady performance dominated by Sharon's excellent net play and Josh's range of shots. Both Will and Kate were disappointed to have lost in straight sets against the Linc's first pair, not really finding their games. Laurel and Owen played some good badminton with Laurel dominating the net, however loosing closely 21-19 in the third end.

At the beginning of the day the Cambs III team had aimed for all three points, which they got! It's tight at the top of the division and all to play for! Long may Sharon's calf hold up.

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