Cambs II Suffers Warks Heartbreak

With the season beginning to draw to a close, the battle for leadership in the ICC Division 5 East has been a close one.  In their penultimate match of the season, the senior IInd team faced league-leaders Warwickshire IIIrds.

There were three possible outcomes: win outright and grasp promotion out of the Division; take a narrow win and go into the last match with a chance; or suffer defeat and see the chance slip away.

Unfortunately, at the end of the day, it was not to be.  

Stephen Pickering played a strong game of singles, but unfortunately couldn't overcome opponent Will Kitching.  Both ladies also lost their singles against tricky opponents, so it was only Neil Place continuing his excellent singles record this season who won by beating Warwickshire's James Taylor.

Even though it was 1-3 after the singles, this was still one game better than when Cambs had lost the 8-7 reverse match at the start of the season, so there was still hope.  However, the scale of the challenge became evident when three of the four level doubles also went to Warwickshire. Katie Morton and Vicky Norris enjoyed a comfortable victory, while Adele Woodhams and Louise Tarbit couldn't overcome their opponents.  In the mens, both matches were high-octane crash bang affairs, running to close three ends but with Cambs unable to find the consistency and calmness to secure either.

After a regrouping, the reverse fixtures were a little better. Neil and Daniel came out fighting to win their game in two ends, as did Adele and Louise.  Warks however continued to build on their lead and with the final mens doubles matching reaching a pitched conclusion, and with everyone looking on, the eighth game - and with it the league title - was secured.

With heads held high, Cambs went on to complete the mixed and show their traditional strength in the discipline.  While Neil and Adele failed to secure the win, both Stephen and Lou, and Daniel and Katie, took the scant consolation of winning mixed games that had still been battled right to the last point.

In the end, the team had left everything of themselves on the court. Sadly, it was not enough.  Having been promoted to this Division only two years ago though, it is a very respectful result to be challenging so closely for a further improvement in position.

The team goes into the last match against Leicestershire to play for their pride, to match Warwickshire on points (some scant moral victory), and knowing that the match potentially has impact on others in the Division.

The team: Stephen Pickering, Neil Place, Daniel Bates (c), Graham Barr, Vicky Norris, Katie Morton, Adele Woodhams, Louise Tarbit.

More information about results of the Cambs II 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.

Apollo Charity Championships Charity Badminton Tournament

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Apollo Badminton Club are excited to announce their first annual Charity Badminton Championships, to be held at Vivacity Werrington Leisure Centre on the Sunday 13th April 2014 from 10am to 6pm. The one day event provides an opportunity to take on the areas best in; Mens and Ladies Singles, Doubles and Mixed doubles. Each event costs £6 to enter and guarantees at least three matches per discipline, with the early rounds being played in a round robin format. In addition to tournament play, there will also be a number of extra competitions to take part in, with a fastest smash competition (using a speed gun), 60 second rally challenge and badminton skittles! 

The proceeds of this tournament will be going to Little Miracles, a Peterborough based charity who provide support for children with additional needs, disabilities and life limiting conditions, and recently appeared on DIY SOS!

As well as being a great opportunity to raise money for charity, it is a great chance to bring all badminton players from the local area together for a fun filled day of action. Plus, to reward your efforts on the court, The Ploughman pub across the road from the centre will be providing some post-tournament refreshments for everyone to enjoy!

The closing date for entries is 28th March, so please spread the word!

U11/U13 Fun Tournament Results

There were 35 entries in the U11/U13 Fun Tournament held at the Bushfield Leisure Centre on Saturday 1st March.

Winners

Under 11

Boys Singles

Achira Waduge

Boys Doubles

Achira Waduge & Harikishna Elakoochy

Girls Singles

Anna Saunders

Girls Doubles

Anna Saunders & Robyn Watson

Under 13

Boys Singles

Benjamin Stevens

Boys Doubles

Zak Aldous & Benjamin Stevens

Girls Singles

Imogen Leivers

Girls Doubles

Imogen Leivers & Chloe Smith

Suffolk Trip Keeps Cambs Hopes Alive

Containing many strong teams, the ICC Division 5 East is proving to be an extremely tight competition this year. Every point is going to count at the end of the season.

When Cambridgeshire's senior IInd team arrived at Suffolk, they could see that a stiff test lay ahead.  Although Suffolk had lost their captain to a higher team, they had called upon some strong ladies to bolster their squad.

Going into the singles, Stephen Pickering was seeking to avenge his defeat against this team from earlier in the season.  After a tight 24-22 victory in the first, he won the mental advantage and quickly finished the second 21-11.  Neil Place also threw himself into his singles with gusto - belying his appearance in the Norfolk Silver less than 24 hours earlier - and again won in straight games.

The ladies faced the altered Suffolk lineup, and found the challenge testing.  Kate Marshall fought hard to a 24-22 victory in the first end, but couldn't maintain the advantage and lost in three. Vicky Norris also showed resistance, but was beaten by Kym Gormer in straight games.

In the mens doubles, Neil and captain Daniel Bates maintained their impressive winning streak, finishing both games in two.  With Abu Kaher now sunning himself in Bangladesh, the remaining mens slot fell to Graham Barr who combined with Stephen to great effect, and they also won both games without dropping a rubber.

The ladies faced stiff competition again, but came out with real reward.  Katie Morton and Vicky Norris put up a spirited fight, but were overcome with close scores against both pairs. However, it was Adele Woodhams and Louise Tarbit who chalked up the points, with a convincing straight-sets win against the first pair, and then again also recording a 21-14, 18-21, 21-18 victory against the second.

That had given Cambs the win, and with our traditional strength in mixed, the very slightest fraction of breathing space in our quest to secure all three points and keep the promotion dream alive.  Daniel and Kate teamed up smoothly and rampaged home first with a 21-9, 21-13 win at third slot. Cambs' nerves were then left to be frayed one last time, as Neil and Adele found the first Suffolk opposition too strong, losing 21-15, 21-9.

That left Stephen and Katie on court, with the entire hall watching, and their match having gone to the third end.  All four players strained sinew to fight over the last rubber, which was to decide the bonus point.  After holding their nerve and with some superb defensive work, it was Stephen and Katie who emerged victorious.  Cue much cheering, and curious whooping noises...

With two games left there is still much work to do, but Cambs II continue to seek their promotion.

The team: Stephen Pickering, Neil Place, Daniel Bates (c), Graham Barr, Kate Marshall, Vicky Norris, Katie Morton, Adele Woodhams, Louise Tarbit.

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

Cambridgeshire Junior Badminton Consultation Meeting

When :-  Tuesday 25th March 2014 7.30 - 9.00pm 

Where :- Cambridge Regional College Leisure Facility, Meeting Room adjacent to Sports Hall

Cambridgeshire Badminton Association would like to invite all interested parties to a consultation meeting  to discuss future structure and organisation for Junior Badminton under the Badminton England umbrella in Cambridgeshire.

The meeting will be Chaired by The present Senior Committee Chair  - Sharon Chandler 

Items needing to be discussed 

1. Volunteers - if junior teams representing Cambridgeshire are to continue we need more volunteers to act as committee members, team managers, fund raisers, mentors, selectors and organisers +/- helpers  for tournaments.

2. Chairperson for Junior Committee - this key role is currently unfilled - the Chair of the Senior Committee has been 'filing in' this year but this is unsustainable for next season.

3. Committee members - people with knowledge of junior players and a willingness to liaise with other junior club organisers to promote good relations and support of the county committee activities are urgently needed in order to sustain a healthy  county junior badminton structure.

4. Regular activities Cambridgeshire Badminton Association organise for juniors each  season

5. What other opportunities are open to junior county squads that we have been unable engage with, and why.

6. What are peoples perception of the Role of the Junior County Committee and how could that role be fulfilled effectively.

7. Any ideas on how we can promote sustainable and healthy relationships amongst junior cells /clubs/groups in the county to help facilitate a more cohesive junior county scene.

The meeting is open to anyone with an interest in junior badminton - you do not necessarily need to be involved with a junior club at present or desire to be involved in the future - if you have ideas we'd like to hear them, if you have suggestions please feel free to present them, if you want to be involved you will be very welcome, if you just want to come and hear what others have to say we will be glad to have you attend.

Hope to see you there.

Sharon Chandler - Chair Cambridgeshire Badminton Association

Cambridgeshire U19 Junior Restricted Tournament: Entries Open

Entries are now open for the Cambridgeshire U19 Junior Restricted Tournament which is due to take place on Sunday 23 March 2014 at Burwell Sports Centre, Buntings Path, Burwell.

Download the entry form.

Entries close on 15 March 2014.

If you are a junior player, then please consider entering.  If you're a coach, get your athletes along!