News
The season is almost at an end but has so far been successful in the main. Particularly encouraging has been the performances so far of the O40 and O45 Squads, both of which finished top of their Inter-County League groups, and still have the National finals to contest, providing the O40 can win their play-off match against Nottinghamshire.
O40 Squad
A strong Squad, particularly in the number of men, has been available this year, and even using a rotation selection policy the results were very consistent, with the team winning 69 of the 72 games played in the Midlands West grouping. They now contest a play-off against Nottingham, the unbeaten Midlands East winners, on April 17th with the winners going to the National Finals the following weekend.
The team have also been successful in the Veterans Inter-County Competition, winning their First Division Group in fine style by winning 4-0 in all their matches, and will be in the Premier League next season. The team for this competition was Helen Ambrose, Lyn Raynor, Ruth Flatman, Fiona Waddell, Mark Golds, Neil Copping, Chris Wright and Adrian Hancox.
O45 Squad
The season has been somewhat truncated by Yorkshire pulling out of the North Division of the Inter-County League but the team shrugged off the loss of the injured Wendy Eastwood to win all of the remaining four fixtures, and secure their place in the National Finals (24/25 Apr). They will also be defending their ICC title on 29/30 May so their season is well and truly extended.
O50 Squad
The loss of John Griffiths for the season and Sue Carline for most of it, added to three regular men moving up an age group, left the team with mountains to climb in a very tough Northern League, but the team contested matches against Durham and Yorkshire competitively and closely, only being outclassed by a very strong Lancashire. With these three Counties all in the ICC Premier Division the team should be more than able to hold their ground in the forthcoming First Division matches at Stoke (1/2 May)
O55 Squad
Boosted by three men from last season’s O50 team the squad experienced a mixed season of near success in the strong O55 Northern League, with several matches close but just edged out at the end to finish behind Lancashire and Yorkshire. With all their Inter-League opponents playing in the ICC Premier Division there is a good chance they can be successful in their ICC Div 1 matches (1/2 May)and join the Premier Division.
O60 Squad
Great to see an O60 Squad back in action after a couple of years, and again it was into a tough North League challenge. After a difficult start at Yorkshire the team settled down and the remaining matches were all very competitive with two good wins and three narrow 4-8 defeats. Again with Lancs and Yorks in the ICC Premier League the team should more than hold their own in the rearranged ICC (1/2 May)
Anyone interested in learning more about Veterans Badminton in Cheshire should contact David Spencer at spencer928@btinternet.com
David Spencer (Chairman)
