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.