Avon U13s vs Cornwall: 20 November

 

Although we lost 35-1 to a very strong Cornwall team, there were several reasons to be positive about this match. We played an experimental team, with untried doubles pairings and guest players from both U11 and U15, and almost every match was keenly contested. The spirit was first class, and I don’t think there was a single player who left anything out on the court. We were up against pairings who had played together for years, and a team that contained several highly ranked players.

 

There were many highlights, but a couple stick in the mind:

 

• Lucy was up against the UK no. 8, Amy Polgase, and although she only got 7 points, they were won with authentic badminton rather than through mistakes
• Paul won a tight, tense, contest in straight sets against a much more experienced opponent
• Abi took her opponent, ranked UK no. 47, to three sets, winning 22-20 in the second
• Ian recovered from losing his first set 21-7 to take the next and force his match to a nail biting finish 

 

It has to be said that in the doubles we were demolished, and there’s an urgent need to build skills in that area. Paul and Becky are fully aware of this, and we’ll make sure the training sessions reflect it. What is undeniable, though, is that we were splendid hosts, and support from parents was excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

Avon U13s vs Worcestershire: 20 November

 

The hard work is paying off! The Shires League team walloped Worcestershire 16-4 at St Ursula’s on Sunday with an extraordinary display of sustained, high quality badminton. Worcestershire, like us, had a team of talented but inexperienced players, and individually we were probably about the same standard. However, the consistency of our play gradually told, and in the end it was a comprehensive victory. The day as a whole illustrated what we’re aiming for:  great teamwork, highly professional kit, good support from parents and a warm welcome for our opponents.  I suspect that the rest of the Shires League programme will prove much tougher, but at least the U13s are learning how to win.  Check out the smiles!

 

 

 

U13 Team Challenge: 27 November

 

The U13 squad went to the magnificent Bath University Sports Village to contest the SW Team Challenge. It was a very tough day all round – every county brought its strongest team, and the  shorter, unfamiliar match format, together with the frenetic pace of the tournament,  gave our inexperienced team no  time to settle. Becky was fantastic, marshalling the team, organising pairings and playing orders, and generally keeping spirits up. 

 

We lost to Devon (5-1), Cornwall (4-2), and Dorset (5-1), finishing with a 3-3 tie with Wiltshire. We could so easily have drawn with Cornwall too, Lottie and Abi losing 14-15 in the deciding set of their doubles. In the end, though, this was our first really disappointing day, and we’ll look to put things right against Somerset on 18 December.