As you will see from the league tables, both county teams finished second in their section of Division 3 and 4 of Badminton England’s regional county championship.  You will note the second team missed out by just one rubber. Their first match of the season was the one they missed out on, losing to Kent by 11-4, Kent using players who were soon after promoted to their higher team. Regrettably this practice is used quite often by counties in the ICC. A great season by the second team especially as they gained promotion last season.  Throughout the season the second team players, except on very rare occasions, made themselves available for matches, so the team was very stable.

The first team also did very well to come second in their section.  The ladies of the county first team turned out on every occasion bar one player in one match. Regrettably this could not be said of some of the Suffolk men, who through injury and other commitments were not available.  The selectors and I find this a bit frustrating: players know the fixture dates at the start of the season and we would have hoped they planned round these dates.  I’m quite sure that had we had a full selected team we would have finished top of the section. Sorry to say it, but it needed to be said.

Suffolk again entered the 17-21 ICC event played at the Hatfield Sport Village twelve court hall. Twenty counties entered, 18 played. Suffolk finished a credible joint 13th / 14th (last year 7th out of 12 counties). Congratulations to the team, you did Suffolk proud and thanks to team managers Cedric & Jane Hooper.

The two early Sunday County Club days played at Rushmere Sports Club were quite successful and although the numbers were slightly down on last year the standard of play was excellent, and what  was obvious was that the established county player and the younger element of player gulf is very narrow.

Wednesday county club nights, twice a month at the YMCA, were reasonably attended. It would be nice again if this opportunity fo the best standard of play was higher on peoples’ diary, not only of county players but those many players that are so close to make a county break through.

May thanks to all the players for their efforts, to the selectors and especially to David Wade, First Team Captain, and Amanda Newcombe, Second Team Captain, whose help is invaluable. Sincere thank you David and Amanda.

To round off my report, the proposed section for next season’s competition: yes Yorkshire in the first team section in spite of a representation at the match secretaries’ meeting. Still the second team once upon a time played Northumberland in Newcastle a few seasons ago.

Stephen Smith

Squad Manager

Senior Squad:

Inter-Counties Championship Report 2007-08

Presented at  Annual General Meeting 12th May 2008