The Cambridgeshire Restricted Tournament produced a scintillating weekend of badminton over Saturday and Sunday, tinged with a little disappointment.
Most notable was the superb results for Olga Bryant - winning the ladies singles on Saturday, and then following up with the mixed title on Sunday with Stephen Pickering (against James Wilson and Sara Mason in the final), and also teaming up with Natalie Taylor to win the ladies doubles (against Sara Mason and Hannah Sharman).
Having been beaten in the first round by Olga and Stephen, Jess Sharman and Daniel Bates won through to take the mixed plate.
Joe
Pickering also fought a long and hard competition in the mens singles,
ending with success in the final in a showdown against brother Stephen.
The plate went to Tom Li with a very classy showing against a strong
draw.
The disappointment came in the mens doubles, where a succession of hard and close games in both the mixed and levels draw resulted in the day running long. With CRC unable to stay open, the final rounds of the mens doubles and plate could not be played. Strenuous efforts will be made to get the appropriate people together to finish the competition as soon as possible.
In all, a superb weekend of badminton. There were lots of excellent games, a large and strong draw (with the exception of ladies singles, where more need to get involved), and vocal and enthusiastic support all around. Thanks to everyone involved in organising and running the event, to everyone who supported, and to CRC for hosting.