October

November

Cannons and Kintbury Step Up To The Mark
w/c 30th October 2006

A busy week in the local Badminton scene, none more so than in the ladies league, Cannons and Downlands were the first to go head to head. Struggling Downlands deserved merit for turning up with a full team, but it was Cannons who turned up with the firepower and swept their way to a one sided 6-0 win.

The next in line were St Marys who were entertaining a revitalised Kintbury Ridgeway. This, on paper at least, looked liked going St Marys way especially as Kintbury were missing a key player. Kintbury however had different ideas. 2006 Ladies doubles champions Julia Bowers and Mel Pennington tore through Val Leaver and Francis Rayson, 15-0 15-1. St Marys however regrouped to take the next two games. That was it however as Kintbury Ridgeway went on to take a memorable 4-2 win.

Men’s doubles action was also fat and furious, Cannons B travelled to Firefly looking for success but only managed to salvage a single point for the night thanks to Paul Rabbets and Andy Evans, Scott Armsted and Mick Turrell starred for the hosts with 3 straight forward games. Kennet B against Aldernaston always looked liked being a thriller and did not disappoint, Kennet took an early 3-1 lead thanks to the efforts of Paul Knight and Co Winter. Aldermaston fought bravely to take the next two but it was left to the pairing of Dave Bilton and Malcon Taylor to finish the job for a 6-3 Kennet win

Cannons men were looking to extend their winning streak in Men’s division one. In their way stood Shaw B, Cannons fired the first shot with a convincing win for Per Lauridsen and Bob Critchton over Paul Olive and Andrew Nicholson, another wins for Cannons then put them firmly in the driver seat. Despite a brief come back by Paul Olive and Andrew Nicholson, Cannons took a straight forward win.

The only mixed action was a division 2 encounter between Kennet A and Shaw B. A rare appearance from Jon Harry in mixed must have sent a few shockwaves through the Kennet camp. As Steve Pennington and Kathryn Meakin were about to find out, Jon Harry and Helen Roberts were going to prove a real problem that evening as they reeled off a straight win. The final 8-1 score line didn’t do Kennet justice as they came so close in 4 games all going to three ends. The stars for Kennet had to be Andrea Woods and Steve Hitchcock as they took the only points for Kennet but a massive effort all round was withheld from a strong and determined Shaw.

Kennet Topple Newbury In See-Saw Battle
w/c 23rd October 2006

Mixed Division 2 saw an epic encounter between two promotion chasers in the form of Newbury B and Kennet A, which saw the lead changing hands on numerous occasions. Jo Russ and Andy Moore rolled back the years to give the home side a solid start, but that did not last for long, with pair of the night, Steve Hitchcock and Andrea Woods hitting back for the visitors. Again Newbury edged ahead by taking the third rubber, and like before Kennet hit straight back. This pattern continued until the eighth rubber, which saw Kennet take an unassailable lead and the victory and it was apt that it was Hitchcock and Russ who gained the deciding point.

In the same division, Downlands hosted a Cannons B side low on confidence and form and the 7-2 score line showed this. Downlands took control from the beginning and never looked back, with Ananya Jeshtadi and Maryanne Stephens putting in a fine display for the Downs to win two rubbers and halve another one. The most resistance from the visitors came from the racquets of Rabbets and Campbell, who managed to give the overall score some respectability by halving all their matches. But it was not enough to stave off defeat, as Alex Sutton and Karen Simms won the all important point that took the game out of Cannons reach.

Into Mixed Division 1, and things took a familiar turn, with Champions Shaw winning in comfortable fashion. Their victims this time were St.Mary’s B, who were simply outclassed by a side looking to complete a hat-trick of titles this season. Once again the usual suspects of Turner, Beavis, Norman and Chivers took apart the Saints. However, the most impressive display came from Tony Walker and Karen Harrison, who conceded the least points on the night and gave themselves and the team confidence ahead of their usual title deciding match against the Saints A team.

The Mixed Division 1 new boys clashed early on in the season to give one teams survival hopes a lift and one teams a drop. Aldermaston must have the best home advantage in the league, with teams shuddering at the prospect of just being able to play on the one court, and they made use of the advantage to great effect against Kintbury B. Time though was one thing the Kintbury players had a lot of as they watched their team slowly lose to an Aldermaston side bristling with determination. The performance of the night was from Helen Apsey and Keith Fleming who put in a flawless performance leading their team to a 7-2 win.

In Mixed Division 3 there was still the matter of inter club matches to be played out as Kennet's B team took on its C team, and once again it didn’t go all in favour of the “superior” side. The only pair not to face the humiliation of being beaten by the “lesser” side was the partnership of Nic Rivers and Theresa Nightingale, who went through their matches with little problem. The two scalps claimed by the C team came from Paul Knight and Isabel Johnson, and David Bilton and Gillian Sitch, who took a point each and made the 7-2 score line, in favour of Kennet B, respectable viewing.

Men’s Division 2 was the stage for a drubbing handed out to Shaw C by a promotion chasing Wantage side. Hardly had the Shaw players got onto the court after the long drive over the downs, when they found themselves trudging off again as Barry Jones and Clive Beasley were in uncompromising form, taking Shaw’s first pair apart 15-1, 15-2. This was the pattern of things to come as the visitors capitulated to a 9-0 drubbing.

In the same division on the other side of the downs, Firefly welcomed the visit of Bucklebury, who only turned up with two pairs. There was little hope for the Bucks, especially with Mick Turrell and Scott Armstead in fine form for Firefly, and the final result was a 8-1 win for the home side.

The Men’s third Division saw Kennet B take on Downlands B, and once again the win went the way of the home side. Kennet made it look pretty straight forward with all three of their pairs putting in consistent performances, especially the pairing of Steve Fox and Nic Rivers, and Downlands left Thatcham without a point to their name, despite the best efforts of Setton and Dickinson.

The only game in the Ladies 6 league this week saw a tight contest between St.Mary’s and Shaw, which was ultimately decided before a shuttle was hit. The Saints were reduced in numbers at short notice with one of their team members pulling out due to illness, and leaving them with only 2 pairs. Despite this handicap, the Saints put up a sterling performance and nearly grasped an unlikely victory from the jaws of defeat, going down 5-4. Andrea Farmer and Janine Fisher could do no more for the cause as they won all three of their rubbers to set up a tense finish for the game, but Claire Beavis and the impressive Cate Poore took the vital point that sealed the victory for Shaw.

Mixed Favourites on Course
w/c 16th October 2006

This week’s action in the Newbury and District Badminton Leagues was dominated by play in the Mixed Divisions. The 2 hot favourites to battle it out for the Division 1 title both inflicted whitewashes on their opposition, with St Mary’s A team inflicting two 9-0 defeats on their newly-promoted B team, while Shaw A brushed aside visitors Kintbury by the same score-line. The inclusion of Gareth Jones in the St Mary’s A team will clearly enhance their challenge to reigning champions Shaw A this season.

Also in the top flight, a much closer match was expected as Cannons A entertained Newbury’s A team, but here we saw further evidence of Newbury’s loss of players during the summer, as the home team wrapped up a convincing 7-2 victory. Nigel Thorne and Sheila Moore did manage to show their experience at the top level by winning 2 rubbers for the visitors, but the home team had greater strength in depth. Cannon’s Per Lauridsen and Sally Hill were undoubtedly the dominant pairing of the evening as they won all three of their games in straight sets to ram home the victory.

In Mixed Division 2, Shaw’s B and C teams faced up for the second time. The C team was strengthened by the return of both Andrew Nicholson and Pam Norris and held hopes of a surprise victory, but the B team produced a fine all-round performance, and despite many close sets ran out 8-1 winners. Mike Pembroke and Cate Poore were once again in fine form, and were joined by the improving Ian Johnson and Helen Roberts pairing in winning all their rubbers.

In Mixed Division 3, Downlands’ B team could only muster 2 pairs for their visit to St Mary’s C team. Despite making the three home pairs work hard, Downlands fell to an 8-1 defeat, with the home pairings of Debbie Freeman / Damon Short and Lyn Glinos / Ilya Goldberg both leaving with 100% records.

In the top Men’s Division, newly promoted Kintbury hosted Cannons A, and a flying start from the visitors saw them take a 2 ½ - ½ lead after the first three rubbers, with new arrival Pedro Cosa and partner Tony Kirstein in fine form. Kintbury pushed hard to get back into the match, but were never able to reduce the deficit, and Cannons stretched away again once the winning post was crossed to record a 7½ - 1½ victory, with each of their pairs only dropping half a point.

The rising star of Kennet BC was evident in the other match to take place in the top Men’s flight, as Newbury fell to a home defeat that would have been undreamed of just a few months ago. Perhaps the first rubber of the evening was pivotal, as Newbury stalwarts Nigel Thorne and Brian Eastwood took on Kennet’s Chris Tompkins and new recruit Gary Chambers. This turned out to be a great tussle, with the visitors scraping home 15-17 in the deciding set.

Newbury managed to level the score when David Green and Scott Haddon claimed a 15-11 third-set win in the next rubber, but then Kennet’s long-standing duo of Steve Pennington and Dave Morris eased to a win in the third rubber. The momentum then was firmly with Kennet as they stretched out to a 7-2 victory. In the lower Men’s divisions, both Downlands A (7-2 at Cannons B) and Hurst (9-0 at home to Aldermaston) enjoyed fine victories.

The only action in the Ladies leagues saw reigning champions Shaw travel to Aldermaston. Helen Apsey and Sue Richardson battled to a fine win, taking the third set 15-5, to give the home side the initial advantage. Then, however, the strength in depth of the Shaw team started to tell, with old hands Clare Beavis and Cate Poore leading the visitors to a comfortable 5-1 victory.

Good Results From County Tournament
w/c 9th October 2006

The Berkshire County Restricted Badminton Tournament was played recently, and local players returned some excellent results. Gareth Jones, Andy King and Andy Norman all won matches in the singles section, with King losing only to the eventual winner. Norman and King teamed up for the Mens doubles failing only narrowly to get to the finals stage, but King and lady partner reached the Mixed doubles semi-final with some pleasingly good results on the way.

It is only the third week of competition in the local leagues, but already some clubs are struggling to get full sides out. For others, summer departures mean that teams look very different with results that reflect this.

Shaw’s Mens B at least had some excuse in fielding only two pairs for the inevitable beating by their A side. It was not, however, plain sailing for Ian Johnston and Tony Walker as they won by the narrowest possible margin in the third game against veteran campaigner Trevor Poore with Richard Ilsley and took three ends to see off Mackey and Edwards. St Mary’s, with the afore-mentioned King and Jones in stomping form, triumphed over Kennet at Elstree School, a matched that marked a welcome return to local badminton of Gary Chambers – a further strengthening for Kennet.

Newbury A have suffered losses from their international cast of last season and suffered against Cannons, although there was some satisfaction in taking two rubbers from the Spanish transferee Pedro Cosa playing with Tony Kirsten. In Division 3, Newbury C started in good form against Downlands, but they are unlikely to have the luxury of selecting quite so widely amongst club members all season.

Things were a little more normal for Newbury in Mixed division 1, where Sheila Moore reformed a previously successful partnership with Nigel Thorne to take out Aldermaston’s pairs. Newcomer James Wood, paired with the unorthodox Jeanne Lapsley, found the going more difficult, but a 6-3 victory was registered. Shaw A made short work of a two-pair Cannons’ team, but Sally Hill and Per Lauridsen stopped a clean sweep against Lucy Burton and Tony Walker. Cannon’s B, however, opened with a 5-4 victory over Newbury B in division 2; Yvonne Masters and Andy Stevens calmly taking the final rubber.

Hurst Off To A Flyer
w/c 2nd October 2006

The local badminton season kicked off with newcomers Hurst announcing themselves with an overwhelming win away to Greenacre. The opening salvos were fired by Rob Badcock and Chris Paxley, setting the scene for the rest of the match. A number of well timed backhands split the Greenacre defence. Steve Fionda supplied rear guard action for Greenacre in the third rubber, stretching Hurst to a three ender. However, by now Hurst were in their stride with Mark Payne and Duncan Kenny winning three straight games. Steve Fletch and Anthony Haines fought back in the sixth but were unable to prevent Colin Creswell and Darren Gidding from taking the decider. It ended 9-0 to Hurst leaving Greenacre time to think about future games.

Newbury and Shaw also clashed in the opening week of the season. The Newbury ladies strolled into a double 15/1 score through Sheila Moore and Nadya Bentley in the opening game. Shaw retorted when Beavis and Poore followed suit in game three. Up jumped Barlow and Lapsley to smash down the Shaw resistance in game five. Newbury kept the pace going to end the night on six - three.

St Mary’s entertained Aldermaston providing a challenge for the young away team against the elder citizens of St Mary’s. Hannah Ward and Rhian Jenkins really came to the fore to leave the saints spellbound by some excellent court coverage. The leagues elder statesmen, Norman and Mason, applied their experience and a wily determination in turning the match around to the saint’s favour. All six rubbers went the distance but the St Mary’s team were able to supply the finishing touches.

Kennet ladies encountered a far tougher challenge against Whitchurch. Viv Hazel and Moya Abbott smashed three early rubbers for the visitors. Kennet replied through Harlington and Florence to peg back the score for Kennet. In the nip and tuck match Kennet were aided by the late withdrawal of the Whitchurch third pair. Scarett and Woods took further advantage to seal victory in the sixth rubber.

When the two Kennet mixed teams met a close match could not have been predicted. However, this one went all the way, emphasised by the battling spirit from Knight and Johnson to come back twice to steal the spoils for the C team. Only Thames and Nightingale were able to instil their superiority in taking three games for the B team. It all hinged on the very final game where only a sciatic problem to Co Winter handed the match to Kennet B.

Bucklebury followed on from last year’s successes by thrashing Newbury in Men’s Division 2. Keith Watts and James Wood scored an early consolation point before emphatic play by Holloway and Whitcombe started the Buck’s rout. May and Redden continued the onslaught to leave Bucklebury easy winners by seven to two.

Bucklebury transferred men’s success to mixed disaster on their visit to Downlands. Haines and Drysdale lost to love in their opening two games against Jeshtadi and Stevens and were unable to recover during the rest of the match. Vicars and Village continued the domination for Downlands. For the Bucks only Neville and Redden were able to equal the home side’s efforts. Downlands completed the evening as easy winners in their quest for a quick return to the top division.

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