Inter-Counties Championship 2009-10

Suffolk First v. Surrey Third

 

29th December 2009 (Home)

It was a really fine win by the Suffolk County Badminton First Team over the visiting Surrey Third Team by 8 rubbers to 7.

Against this high-positioned Surrey team, the Suffolk squad were off to a good start. James Scott continued where he left off against Jersey last week with a convincing two-game rubber. At the same time, Jonathan Isaacson showed some of his brilliant singles play also winning in two games.

Likewise, Alys Thompson played a steady by superior rubber, again in two games, whilst Janet Dennis was so unlucky to lose to here South African international opponent: injury robbed her. So it was a good start with 3 to 1 rubbers up in the singles.

Suffolk men’s doubles pairings Miguel Soler / James Scott and Jonathan Isaacson / Daniel Moss both beat the Surrey second men’s pair. Both Suffolk pairs only lost to the Surrey first pair after winning the first game but losing the next two.

Injured Janet Dennis with Alys Thompson managed to win one ladies’ doubles on the day. Surrey won the other three ladies’ doubles in spite of very tight three-game rubbers by Jo Hughes / Susan Poole. So the score was six rubbers each with three mixed doubles to play.

It was an excellent first mixed by James Scott / Janet Dennis apart from those silly cross-court lifts. The score was now one up with two to play. Miguel Soler / Susan Poole had another good mixed with a lot of clever cross-court play, resulting in  two game rubber win. So the match was won with 8 rubbers. Jonathan Isaacson / Jo Hughes so often had the final mixed won, but were continually edged out, and edged out so much that they lost in very tight second and third games.

Albeit a very creditable result against the top of table Surrey side, it was a great team success.

31st January 2010 (Away)

The county badminton first team travelled to play Surrey third team at the excellent facilities of the Wimbledon Badminton & Squash Club. Unfortunately once again the team were not at full strength. However in no way did the reserves called in let the side down; the match details don’t give a clue as to who were the reserves, so well did they play.

In the men’s singles both James Scott and Daniel Moss fought hard only to lose.

Janet Dennis played extremely well to win and, yes, 27-25 in the third game. Jo Hughes played well enough only to lose.

In the men’s doubles, the Surrey first men’s pair were really on song, beating the Suffolk pairs in two games. In their encounters against the second men’s pair, Miguel Soler / James Scott won in three ends, whilst Dan Moss / David Poole came oh so close.

In the ladies’ doubles, the Surrey ladies first pair won one, lost one whereas the Surrey second ladies won their rubbers in two straight games.

James Scott / Janet Dennis played a tremdous mixed against the Surrey first pair: a game of badminton played to the highest level with all players respecting each other’s shot. Miguel Soler / Susan Poole lost in two very tight games whilst Dan Moss / Jo Hughes lost out in the third game.

Suffolk beat Surrey in the home tie. Suffolk lost to Surrey in the away tie by 11 rubbers to 4. How much of this turn around in the result is due to the 2-hour plus journey?

Stephen Smith (Match Secretary)