Inter-Counties Championship 2009-10

Suffolk First  v.  Kent Second

 

8th November 2009 (away)

In the second tie of the season, the county badminton first team travelled to Gillingham to play against Kent second team.

The singles encounters were shared with Kent. The Suffolk ladies Janet Dennis and Jo Hughes both winning and both having to go to a third game to achieve victory. Whereas James Scott and Matthew Clackett lost rubbers ending in very tight games.

In ladies’ doubles, the ladies of Suffolk then shared the result with the Kent ladies. Janet Dennis / Alys Thompson beating Kent’s first ladies pair and Susan Poole / Jo Hughes beating the Kent second pair.

In spite of fighting hard, the  Suffolk men were only successful in just one of the four men’s doubles.

With the score standing at 7-5 in Kent’s favour and three mixed to play, Suffolk needed all three for a win. Jonathan Isaacson / Jo Hughes at second mixed won in two games, the second by just 23-21. At third mixed, Miguel Soler / Susan Poole had a most convincing win in two games 21-13 and 21-11. Regrettably James Scott / Janet Dennis  just did not manage the needed win in the first mixed rubber. So the tie ended 8 rubbers to 7 in Kent’s favour.

28th February 2010 (home)

It was a really tremendous win by the county badminton First Team over Kent Second Team by a ten rubbers to five, meaning a maximum three league points for this win.

Suffolk were off to a good start in the tie with James Scott winning the first singles encounter, taking the third game in this excellent men’s singles. Janet Denis and Jo Hughes both won their ladies’ singles, Janet in two games, whereas Jo had to work hard in the first two games but ran out comfortably in the third.

The four men’s doubles encounters saw some really hard-hitting powerful badminton with honours being shared with Kent. Three of the four rubbers went to a third game with two of these third games going Suffolk’s way and both over the Kent first pair.

The ladies of Suffolk had a slightly easier time against the Kent ladies. Janet Denis / Alys Thompson won both their rubbers in two games whilst Jo Hughes / Susan Poole had to fight hard to beat the Kent first pair in a third game but won against the second pair in two games.

The score stood 9-3 in Suffolk’s favour. With three mixed doubles rubbers to play, one more win would gain maximum league points. James Scott / Janet Dennis achieved this with a fine two-game win at first mixed doubles. Miguel Soler / Susan Poole just lost out in a third game with Mark Brookes / Jo Hughes just failing to force a third game.

However, it was a maximum three league points win 10 rubbers to 5.

Stephen Smith (Match Secretary)