College Badminton

College Badminton: Derwent 6, Wentworth 4.

In a very tight game between Derwent and Wentworth; Derwent’s brilliant play prevailed allowing them to overcome Wentworth 6-4.

Derwent’s first pairing Michael Taylor and Clara How managed to secure two games from the Wentworth team winning comfortably to, 21-18 and 21-11.

Following in their footsteps were Liam Boshell and Charlie Parker who also beat the same Wentworth pairs; firstly 21-8 and then, 29-27. A spectacularly frustrating game to watch. The pressure got to Boshell causing unusually inconsistent play which left Derwent wondering if the tables would turn in Wentworth’s favour. However, ultimately, Parker displayed class at the net finishing on a satisfying net kill.

Wentworth’s Weerapong Kitiwong and Auu Saruta were on fantastic form, impressively obtaining all three of their matches, 21-15, 23-21 and 21-11 against each Derwent pair.

Finally, the deciding match had arrived and Derwent’s John Hill and Madeline Croucher managed to steal a win from Wentworth’s Lichi Sun and Ying Yie winning 21-15.

In the end Derwent took the winning point walking away with a 6-4 win. Michael Taylor the Derwent captain commented, ‘Everyone played well and we came away with a win in the end. I’m happy’ and proceeded to share in the traditional Derwent victory cake.

College Badminton: Vanbrugh 7, James 3

As James players frantically searched for a third pairing throughout the blocks of James College, it wasn’t enough to beat the Vanbrugh side, eventually losing 3-7.

Without a James captain, Vanbrugh felt confident they could secure a strong win against James.

The match started off in Vanbrugh’s favour with Jonny Tait and Rosi Barnett comfortably beating all three of the James pairings 21-10, 21-10 and 21-15. Vanbrugh captains Blonnie Walsh and Joe Davenport also managed to secure all of their games, 21-7, 21-16, 21-11.

However Vanbrugh’s third pair, also put together at the last minute, were no match for James. David Loving and Bella Grant secured a 21-12 win against them, James Buckley and Charlotte Edwards took 21-15 and Chris Butterworth and his partner and randomly found, house mate, Anna Gammons closely beat the Vanbrugh thirds, 22-20.

Despite an impressive attempt to claw back some points, Vanbrugh secured the match winning point and ended on 7-3.

The elated Vanbrugh captain Blonnie Walsh commented: ‘The team in general were splendid, meaning we got the crucial points needed in our struggle against Langwith to win the league’.

Langwith vs. Alcuin

In two matches of high quality, both Alcuin and Goodricke were on the end of drubbings inflicted by Langwith and Halifax respectively.

Langwith romped to a 8-2 victory with partners Andrew Grantham and Huan Ting Ang, and Abel Seow and Cass Brown, not dropping a game on their way to victory.

Alcuin’s Sarah David and David Gardner, as well as Judith Lamb and Mike Smyth, together managed to secure two games for the team in red, but it was always an uphill battle against a very skillful team, with Huan TingAng particularly impressive.

Langwith remain top of the league but their next two games against Halifax and Vanbrugh are crucial.

Halifax vs. Goodricke

Halifax, who closed the gap on Langwith’s lead at the top, were equally imperious, brushing Goodricke aside 9-1. Only Raymond Wong and Daphne Allamenou were able to take a game off Halifax, who, from start to finish, dominated proceedings.

Cat Mcloughin was in good form with Ian White with scores of 21-11, 21-16 and an uncompromising 21-6. Piers Waipp was able to play some fine shots, helping his team by recording a 100 per cent record with partner Lucy Rodgers.

After such a fine win, Halifax will want to continue to hunt down league-leaders Langwith by beating them next week in what promises to bean enthralling match.