Team: Matt & Steve B (2-1), Phil & Steve D (3-0), Tim & Roy (2-1)

First outing for the newly sponsored Mens 1 team and all sporting our new Status Heating T shirts, well except for Roy who having played Mens 2 Monday night didn't seem to find the time to wash his and complete the team ensemble.

1st round of rubbers

Steve B & Matt went on as first pair and had a tough game against Alveston's first pair with plenty of long rallies but narrowly lost it 12-15, 15-17, at the same time Steve D & Phil took on their second pair and got off to a flying start in both games before the opposition managed to claw points back but thankfully we had enough of an advantage to take the rubber 15-11, 15-9, finally Tim & Roy kept the momentum up taking their rubber in a comfortable 15-6, 15-10.

A good start at 2-1 up

2nd round of rubbers

Steve D & Phil then took on the first pair taking the first game 15-1 ( we don't know how either ) and the second game 15-10 to take the rubber, while Tim & Roy won their first game in a very close 17-15 before securing the rubber with the next game 15-8, finally Steve B & Matt managed to clinch the match with a solid 15-7, 15-7 win.

Match already won 5-1 and we can all relax

3rd round of rubbers

Steve D & Phil took their rubber 15-2, 15-8, Steve B & Matt won theirs 15-7, 15-6 and Tim & Roy unfortunately lost against the first pair 6-15, 6-15 despite Phil trying to encourage Roy with sarcastic comments from the bench.

Summary

A good start to the season against a usually tough Alveston team. Thanks to Roy for filling in for Leigh especially as he has two Mens 2 matches this week as well. Thanks to Leigh for the T shirts, they seem to be working at the moment.

Team: Matt & Steve B (3-0), Phil & Steve D (2-1), Tim & Roy (0-3)

This time Roy had remembered to wear his "Status Heating" sponsored T shirt for the match, just as well as sponsor Leigh managed to hobble along to provide vocal support for the evening. What was not too good was that Steve D, Steve B and Tim had forgotten to wear theirs, sorry Leigh we will do better next time.

1st round of rubbers

Steve B and Matt took their rubber to 3 games but managed to grab victory 13-15, 15-10, 15-11 while Steve D and Phil took theirs in a close 17-14, 15-11 win and Tim and Roy were beaten by a good 3rd pair 5-15, 9-15.

A good start at 2-1 up

2nd round of rubbers

Steve D and Phil struggled against Monsoon's 1st pair losing 13-15, 8-15 while Tim and Roy also lost theirs 7-15, 7-15 but Steve B and Matt came to the rescue with yet another 3 gamer taking it 15-6, 13-15, 15-13.

Drawing 3-3 with all to play for.

3rd round of rubbers

Tim and Roy went on first and played very well in the first game against Monsoon's 1st pair but narrowly lost it 15-17, 5-15 so two games left and both required for a win. Steve D and Phil took on Monsoon's 3rds and won the rubber reasonably easily at 15-8, 15-5 so all down to Steve B and Matt to secure the win. This looked quite likely having took the first game 15-3 but they then somehow managed to lose the second game 8-15 so it came down to the last game of the last rubber. This wasn't an easy game to watch from the bench, Matt seemed to be struggling a bit especially with some serving issues, electing to high serve all the time !! but Steve B dug deep and with some great shots they managed to take the last game 15-11.

A very close hard fought match with us just scraping the win. And finally a plea from the sponsor "Don't forget to wear the T shirts next time !!"

Team: Matt & Steve B (3-0), Phil & Steve D (2-1), Jonathan & Adam (2-1)

Mens1 debut for Jonathan and Adam as Tim couldn't make the match due to work commitments ( or possibly the thought of playing with Roy again ).

1st round of rubbers

Steve B and Matt got off to a slow start losing their first game 5-15 before taking the second 15-3 thereby setting up a nail biting third game which they eventually won 17-16 ( we never doubted you would ). Steve D and Phil won their first rubber in a more comfortable 15-8, 15-7 while Jonathan and Adam came back strongly from losing their first game to take the third rubber 7-15, 15-10, 15-4.

An excellent start 3-0 up

2nd round of rubbers

Steve D and Phil went on against the Jubliee first pair and surprisingly won comfortably again 15-6, 15-5. Unfortunately Jonathan and Adam couldn't repeat their earlier success losing 8-15, 5-15 to the second pair while Steve B and Matt took their rubber in two games, just, 17-16, 15-5 to clinch the match.

Match won 5-1 at this stage so we can all relax.

3rd round of rubbers

Jonathan and Adam went on against Jubilee's first pair and in a hard fought game, playing some excellent badminton, took the rubber 15-4, 12-15, 15-10. Steve B and Matt won their last rubber in three 11-15, 15-11, 15-10 while Steve D and Phil managed to look like complete amateurs losing against their third pair 7-15, 7-15.

A good win considering Tim was unavailable and a big thank you to Jonathan and Adam for filling in and playing so well.

Team: Matt & Steve B (2-1), Phil & Steve D (2-1), Jonathan & Tim (0-3)

Tim texted me to ask what time the matched started as he wasn't in the country yet but not to worry as he could see the country from his 30,000ft vantage point. Fortunately Tim arrived on time as promised but was complaining of chest pains, more on that later.

Steve B and Matt went on first and despite a small hiccup in their second game took the first rubber 15-9, 16-17, 15-6. Meanwhile Steve D and Phil couldn't quite beat AT7's 2nd pair ( although 1st pair really ) losing 13-15, 10-15. Tim, still grabbing his chest, went on with Jonathan against the 3rd pair but unfortunately after just a few points Tim realised he wasn't going to be able to carry on and regrettably had to concede. So at this early stage we were 4-1 down.

Steve B and Matt then went on against the 2nd(1st) pair and lost 5-15, 14-17 while Steve D and Phil beat the 3rd pair 15-10, 15-2. So at this early stage the match was already beyond our reach at 5-2 down.

Final two games both went our way Steve B and Matt winning 15-11, 15-2 and Steve D and Phil winning 15-6, 15-4 greatly helped by the AT7 pair hitting every out of court.

Final score lost 4-5, oh what might have been. As we had finished early and Jonathan had only struck the shuttle a couple of times we stayed on and played some additional games against AT7, just for the fun of it.

Update on Tim, he appears to have caught a chest infection off his son and is on antibiotics but is feeling better today he assures me.

Team: Matt & Steve B (2-1), Phil & Steve D (3-0), Adam & Tim (2-1)

Firstly thanks to Adam for filling in for Leigh, who we had convinced that it was still too early for his return from injury, but that didn't stop him from coming down to support us from the bench.

Steve B & Matt struggled a bit against a good Regent 1st pair losing 7-15, 13-15 and then had to listen to a critique of the game from Leigh who had been watching closely. Steve D & Phil had an easier time against the 2nd pair winning it 15-3, 15-9 while new pairing of Tim and Adam had an even more convincing win of 15-3, 15-4.

2-1 up after the first round.

2nd round of rubbers

Steve D & Phil took on the Regent 1st pair and played well to take the rubber 15-4, 15-10 obviously this could not go unmentioned to Steve B & Matt. Tim and Adam again played well to take their rubber 15-10, 15-5 ( Leigh may struggle to get back in the side ! ). Steve B & Matt got back to winning form against the 3rd pair taking it 15-10, 15-6.

5-1 after the second round of rubbers and match secure.

3rd round of rubbers

Tim and Adam lost 17-14, 13-15, 9-15 against Regent's 1st pair, Steve B & Matt won convincingly 15-5, 15-3 and Steve D & Phil won theirs in a slightly closer 15-9, 17-16.

A good win to maintain our progress in the division.

Team: Matt & Steve B (0-3), Phil & Steve D (3-0), Leigh & Tim (1-2)

Summary

Prodigal son returns from wilderness.

3 falls and one submission.

1st round of rubbers

Steve B & Matt went on first and in a topsy turvy game where they never quite seemed to get it together, lost 15-7, 8-15, 10-15. Meanwhile Steve D & Phil had better luck against the 2nd pair ( probably their 3rds really ) winning 15-5, 15-10 and Tim & Leigh bravely battled against the 3rd pair ( really their 1st ) but lost 13-15, 7-15.

2-1 to Jubilee after first round and we knew this was going to be hard.

2nd round of rubbers

Steve B & Matt played the 2nd pair and in an evening when things just weren't gelling for them, lost in a close hard fought game 9-15, 17-15, 13-15.  Steve D & Phil took on the 3rd pair and in a game which both Steve D and one of the opposition slipped on the condensation at the back of the court, still managed to play well despite some nervous serving from Steve D but excellent play by Phil, to take the rubber 15-12, 16-17, 15-13. Meanwhile Tim & Leigh were rediscovering that old magic and won their game 15-12, 15-14 ( Leigh decided to play straight though at 14-14, what confidence ).

3-3 and all to play for.

3rd round of rubbers

The hall was empty at this point so we all went on for our last games. Steve B and Matt played the very good "3rd" pair but lost 7-15, 9-15 while Steve D and Phil managed to win their game 15-10, 15-10 with the 3rd fall of the evening going to a Jubilee player ( Mixed 1 will need to be careful next Friday ). So it was now just a case of watching the end of the deciding rubber, although Steve B thought we had already lost the match at that this point, but even that news couldn't lift his spirit. Unfortunately Tim & Leigh didn't quite manage to win their rubber but it couldn't have been closer 13-15, 13-15 with Leigh coming off court wrongly blaming himself but I was good to see he coped with his first match back after injury and it was a tough one.

Conclusion

Some highs, some lows and some what might have been.

Team: Steve B & Adam (3-0), Phil & Steve D (3-0), Leigh & Tim (2-1),

1st round of rubbers

Steve B & Adam went on as 1st pair after their excellent performance last match and quickly dispatched the AT7 1st pair 15-0, 15-4. Steve D & Phil had a tougher time against the 2nd pair going to 3 but won 15-12, 9-15, 15-4. Tim & Leigh rounded off the first round of rubbers winning theirs in a comprehensive 15-3, 15-3.

3-0 up in rubbers 

2nd round of rubbers

Steve D & Phil now took on the 1st pair and in another tough rubber, going to 3 again, won 15-10, 13-15, 15-13 meanwhile Tim & Leigh secured the match winning their rubber in a very close 15-13, 17-15 which meant Steve B and Adam could relax and enjoy their rubber against the 3rd pair, which they seemed to do winning 15-1, 15-6.

6-0 up in rubbers 

3rd round of rubbers

Sadly Tim & Leigh didn't manage to win their last rubber losing 12-15, 5-15 while Steve B & Adam had their hardest games of the evening but eventually winning 15-8, 5-15, 15-11 and finally Steve D & Phil rounded the evening off beating the 3rd pair 15-7, 15-5

Conclusion

A good win and revenge for having lost the away match 5-4 due to Tim sustaining an injury and us having to concede 3 rubbers.

Team: Steve B & Matt (1-2), Phil & Steve D (1-2), Leigh & Tim (1-2)

With both our mens and ladies team playing at Monsoon on just three courts this was going to be a long evening, especially as the start was postponed 30 mins to allow cleaning up from the dog training that was taking place in the hall beforehand.

I didn't have a spare scorecard to record the games on and as we lost I didn't get to keep the match scorecard either so no further details on game scores I'm afraid.

Conclusion

A very long evening with play going on until well past 11pm I think, not sure, I had already left well before this. Perhaps next year mens 1 should pick a more dedicated capt.

Team: Steve B & Matt (3-0), Leigh & Steve D (3-0), Adam & Jonathan (2-1)

Team: Steve B & Matt (1-2), Leigh & Tim (2-1), Adam & Steve D (2-1)

With Phil out due to his knee problems, in steps Adam to cover yet again, thanks. We all knew this was a must win game to maintain our chances of getting into Premier next year, so no pressure.

Steve B & Matt played Alveston's 1st pair and quickly lost the first game but we put this down to acclimatisation to Alveston's plastic shuttles. Despite a better performance in the next games they couldn't quite clinch the rubber losing 8-15, 15-12, 15-17. Meanwhile Leigh & Tim were playing the 2nd pair and again struggling a bit with the shuttles with Tim muttering he was never going to play plastics again. Anyhow despite all their efforts they lost 11-15, 11-15. The new pairing of Adam and Steve D played the 3rd pair and won comfortably 15,4, 15-3 much to everyone's relief except Alveston's.

2-1 down, and things weren't going according to the plan.

2nd round of rubbers

Steve B & Matt played another tough rubber going to 3 games again but lost out 15-15, 11-15, 10-15. Now 3-1 down and I think we were all feeling things were slipping away somewhat. Leigh & Tim then played the 3rd pair and thankfully managed to rekindle our hope, winning 15-5, 15-10. Adam and Steve however managed to pour cold water on that hope losing out in a very close rubber 16-17, 14-17.

4-2 down, but not out. We only need to win all the last 3 rubbers, that's all !

Steve B & Matt took on the 3rd pair and won convincingly 15-8, 15-6. Adam and Steve D played really well against the 2nd pairing beating them 15-7, 15-3 thereby doing their bit for the miracle comeback. So it was all down to Leigh & Tim who equally inspired took their game 15-12, 15-9 to much relief and celebration.

Conclusion

A good comeback after a bad start and the most difficult match of our remaining ones out of the way. So long as we don't mess up the next match, as we so very nearly did this one, then premier beckons.

Team: Steve B & Matt (3-0), Steve D & Tim (3-0), Adam & Jon (1-2)

No Phil or Leigh for this last match so in step Adam and Jon again.

The first round of rubbers all went Balsall's way with Steve B & Matt taking theirs in two games 15-9, 15-9, Steve D & Tim in three 9-15, 15-3, 15-11 and Adam & Jon also in three 7-15, 15-2, 15-9.

3-0 up.

2nd round of rubbers

Steve B & Matt won again in two closer games 15-13, 15-11, Steve D & Tim also won in a value for money three games 12-15, 15-10, 15-2 while Adam & Jon couldn't quite beat the 1st pair losing 7-15, 12-15.

5-1 up.

Steve B & Matt finished their final rubber in another straight games win albeit in a close 17-14, 15-11, Steve D & Tim managed to win theirs in just two games this time 15-7, 15-8 while Adam & Jon fought well but lost in three 4-15, 15-10, 5-15.

Conclusion

A good end to the season hopefully securing our promotion next year but I'd like to see the final league results before celebrating. Thanks to everyone who played for the team and here's looking forward to next year.