York’s women’s badminton team enjoyed a storming victory in the first match of the Roses 2012 weekend.
The 1sts pairings went head to head on court 8 while the 2nds battled it out on court 7, and after a slight delay, the women’s 3rds match was underway on court 5.
In the opening minutes for the women’s 1sts, the pressure was on. York’s captain Claire Breare made a few mistakes, hitting the shuttle into the net and sending shots wide in the early stages of the competition and York 1sts lost the first third 13-21 to the Lancaster 1sts. But the pair got into their stride and it wasn’t long before Lancaster’s 1st team crumbled against the force and precision of Breare and her partner, Rachael Farrington, who were much stronger in the second and third quarters, winning 21-18 and 21-16, which allowed them to take the victory overall in this match, two sets to one.
Unfortunately, York’s 2nds pair Beth Cowell and Louise Kemp couldn’t quite steal victory in their first match against Lancaster’s 2nd team, losing 21-15 in the first and 22-10 in the second set.
After great play from Dani Fursiani and Cass Brown in Red Rose 3rds pairing, the York women dominated their match, forcing Lancaster to run around the court like headless chickens. On this court, York won the first third 21-10 and the second third 21-7.
With York 2-1 up after their first set of games, the away team were in high spirits for the next round of games.
21-11 was the score from both sets in the match against York 1sts pairing and Lancaster 2nds, but York were victorious 22-20, 21-19 in the York 2nds vs Lancaster 3rds pairing. York also breezed their way to victory, 21-12 and 21-10 in York’s 3rds pair against Lancaster’s 1sts.
York were winning 4-2 overall by this stage. In the final matches, York women’s 1sts won their final match with ease, achieving 21-15 in both sets against Lancaster women’s 3rds. The level of understanding between York’s pair was outstanding in this match, and they outwitted and outplayed their Lancaster opponents because of it. This victory meant York had won the women’s badminton.
However, there were two games still in play, and Lancaster women’s 1sts claimed victory over our seconds team 21-19 then 21-16 in the second set.
York women’s 3rds were the last game standing, as the away pair faced the formidable smash-supremes that were Lancaster women’s 2nds badminton pair. The away team worked hard, ducking and diving all over the court in several lengthly rallies, and after one, Cass Brown threw down her racquet in delight before hugging her partner after a spectacular shot. It was looking hopeful for the visitors, yet while the York 3rds put in a spirited performance, Brown and Fursiani just lost out 18-21 in both sets to Lancaster’s 2nds team.
Overall, it was a much-deserved 5-4 victory for York in the women’s badminton. The team performed especially well, considering the early start and 6am coach the York players had to catch.
Breare commented: “I am very proud of all our pairs. Lancaster put out much tougher teams than last year, but we’ve played really well against them. I’m so proud of the York women’s team!”
