Badminton 1sts net more points

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Photos Jack Western

York came away with one win and one draw from the badminton 1sts encounters at St Mary’s College during Sunday afternoon’s Varsity encounter.

York and Hull shared the points in what proved to be a dramatic men’s 1sts contest. York got off to a disappointing start in the first game with Jinglun Tang suffering an unfortunate defeat. However, York struck back quickly in the second match with club president Baillie Watterson effortlessly dispatching his opponent to level the score line.

Hull edged back in front, as doubles partners Thomas Dainty and Andrew Henderson lost a bitterly contested match-up by a slim margin. York levelled the score line when captain Dan Hirst and partner James Davies made a valiant comeback to win 2-1.

This was followed by another comprehensive victory for the unstoppable force of Watterson, who was later awarded ‘Player of the Tournament,’ to put York’s nose in front. Despite this success York’s fortunes soon began to sour, as Tang was again unlucky being closely defeated in a test of stamina.

Things went from bad to worse as another tight, lengthy contest was ultimately lost by Davies and Hirst, setting the stage for a climatic finale. Dainty and Henderson, reeling from their earlier defeat, found themselves 17-20 down in the deciding game, needing to win to keep the points from Hull. Fighting back the pair dragged themselves 21-20 in front. A seemingly match saving shot from Hull was returned and after clipping the net, in a heart in your mouth moment, the shuttlecock just fell on the Hull side of the net, ending the match in a 4-4 tie.

The women’s 1sts found it much easier going as they hammered Hull 7-1. Captain Rachael Farrington got York off to a wonderful start, by smashing Hull’s confidence in two easy matches. Her first opponent was inconsistent despite some good smashes, and Farrington took her opportunities to win. Her second match was won far easier 21-16, 21-6.

In the doubles, Alison Connor and Lucy Rogers completed yet another double win with only the first match going to a deciding game. The second match was far more convincing with 21-12, 21-11.

Heather Robertson began her efforts with a rematch against her nemesis from Varsity 2012. Losing to her opponent last year, Heather had a point to prove. Heather battled through winning the final game 26-24. In the second match Heather could not complete a double of wins losing in a tough contest, and finding a new nemesis for next year.

In the second doubles matches of the day for the ladies, Bonnie Walsh and Charlie Porter stormed to a double win. They made the first match a bit tricky for themselves, but won nevertheless 21-7, 24-22. In the second they were taken by Hull to a third game in a close match. Winning the first game convincingly 21-8, they fell short to Hull in the second 15-21. They dominated the final game, though, running out 21-9 winners to cap an excellent afternoon.