REPORT ON THE FLINTSHIRE BADMINTON LEAGUE (29-03-10)
AIRBUS SOAR TO THE TOP
With the League fixtures almost complete for this season, Airbus have moved to head Division 1 with a match in hand over second placed Deeside. Wins over Denbigh (8 - 0), Northop (7 - 1) and Ruthin (7 - 1) consolidated their position as League leaders. Deeside outplayed rivals Mold with a 6 - 2 win, with Mold's Junior International Dan Font getting the player of the match award. Deeside then went on to loose 6 - 2 to a revitalized Northop for whom Gary Hughes and Jill Denholm were outstanding in their three game win over Steve Barlow and Melissa Howe.
Northop continued their winning ways with a fine 6 - 2 defeat of of Mold. Ruthin then went down away to Connah's Quay, losing 7 - 1; veteran John Uren teamed up with Gemma Browne to save Ruthin's blushes with a hard fought three games win over Dan Harris and Sara Williams. A draw was a fair result in the battle between Mold and Connahs Quay with just seven points separating the two teams. Jane Peace and Elaine Pierce put in a gutsy performance to overcome Jane Roberts and Sara Williams 17/16 in the third game.
Denbigh's fine 5 - 3 win over third placed Connah's Quay was due in the main to their strong mixed partnerships in which, playing at third with Danny Hughes, Helen Evans won the player of the match award. Denbigh head Division 2 by a point from Buckley who have game in hand with Holywell in third only three points adrift of the top spot. White Horse have found the going tough all season and got little respite in their 7 - I drubbing away to Denbigh. Danielle and Lynn Coxey starred for the Horse with a determined win over Meinir Roberts and Micheala Lloyd - Williams at first ladies.
Buckley Badminton Team
Back row L to R: Nigel Mackintosh, Rob Pullen, Trevor Hunter, Steven
Eltham
Front row L to R: Chris Dailey, Alison Ince, Caroline Lawrence, Caren
Price
Mid-tablers Rossett and Flint fought out a 4 - 4 draw with match of the night at first mixed which saw visitors Joe Travers and Tara Moorcroft upstaging Andy Lloyd and Jeannette Davies 17/16 in the third game. Like their A Team, Ruthin B is finding it hard going this season and a 7 - 1 mauling at the hands of home team Buckley did little to comfort them; Annalisa Kernick and Andy Purshouse were the pick of the bunch proving too strong for Rob Bishop and Alison Ince at second mixed.
Mold B lead Division 3 with two matches in hand and look a good bet for promotion this year. Val Hanson came out of retirement for Mold C to enjoy a two game win at second mixed with partner Jordan Ellis over Nicky Evans and Kerry Williams but could not prevent Mold C going down 5 - 3 to second placed Llangolen. Mold B avenged the defeat of their C team with a battling performance against Llangolllen where they eased their way to a hard earned 5 - 5 win. Almost certain winners of the wooden spoon, Llanferres went down 5 - 3 at home to Deeside where Ken Foreshaw, making his comeback after injury, was voted player of the match.
PESENTATION EVENING
Takes place on Friday 9 April 2010 at the Springfield Hotel and members should see their Club Secretary for tickets.