RR – 08/11/2017

St Nicholas v Telecom B                        Division 2   7th November, 2017

Down to the wire

As Telecom B set up camp in the far corner of the court, Yvonne Kay, Captain for St Nicholas, welcomed her new signing, Gulfeshan Aslam, aka Shan, who would be playing his very first match in the league having last picked up a racquet 10 years ago! Under the watchful eyes of her father, Mohammed Aslam, aka Aslam, and with the gentle encouragement of all of the St Nicholas’ team, I watched the left handed Shan improve with each game he played.

In the level doubles, Yvonne intelligently played herself at number 3, partnering first Lynne Barnard, and then Louise Hustler, against the young Telecom B ladies of Gill Luker at 3, with Jodi Davidson and Annabelle Baldock. Some impressive tactical play from the home team, playing doubles in the attacking front and back formation, brought all four games St Nicholas’ way. Clever disguised drop shots from the back by Louise kept the youngsters running, but it was the Captain, Yvonne, who really dictated the play with her astute reading of the game.

On the adjacent court, Shan at number 3, was eager to take on the two Telecom boys, Rhys Holt and Luke Quigley, with the wily Nils McDonald his number 3 adversary. Up first, Shan and Gary Walton faced Nils and Rhys. Gary’s court coverage and tactical play were unstinting, forcing the Telecom men to work hard for their victory. Shan’s short serve and drop to the net became increasingly effective, along with the long flick serve which he occasionally threw in. In the second men’s game, the father and son partnership for St Nicholas took on the experience of Nils, this time playing with Luke Quigley. If ever a prize is given for courtesy and manners on court, then this young gentleman has got to be in the running for it. I have rarely heard so much positive encouragement for his partner and appreciation of the opposition’s good play from a player. Keep it up, Luke!

By the end of the level doubles, it was still all to play for, and there were anxious glances emanating from the Telecom camp, still ensconced at the rear of the court.

First up in the mixed, Lynne and Gary at top, faced the energetic pairing of Rhys and Jodi. Using the whole of her racquet, Jodi’s enthusiastic returns kept the rallies going throughout these games, both of which went to Telecom B. On the adjacent court, however, Louise and Aslam were having better luck against Gill and Nils, winning both of their games to bring the match back to all square. Shan, playing his first game of mixed, with Captain Yvonne, then faced Annabelle and Luke. This was a delightful match to watch in terms of both its sportsmanship and friendly competitiveness. Yvonne’s tactical awareness and Shan’s clever use of drop shot really meant the Telecom pairing had to work hard to win each point. On the adjacent court, Dad, Aslam, playing with Louise, were having better luck against the youngsters, Jodi and Rhys. The home pairing could not have worked any harder, with Aslam using his height at full stretch at one point as he dived for the shuttle. Louise showed good aggression at the net, pouncing on the opposition’s returns, ensuring victory for St Nicholas in both games.

And so, as the last couple went on court, it really was still all to play for. Facing Annabelle and Luke for Telecom, the first game went down to the wire as the red faces on court paid testimony to, falling in the away side’s favour. Telecom then went on to romp to victory in the final game, but, again, with courtesy and respect for their opposition who had worked so hard.

An entertaining match from beginning to end, this really was a result which could have gone either way. Well done to Shan for his first game in the Blackburn league (wait until you’ve been playing for as long as me and Gary!) and also to Luke for his behaviour on court.

RR – 30/10/2017

Seniors A  v  Telecom    25^th October

 Rick who?

 After a very busy junior practice and coaching session (27 promising badminton players of the future) prior to the match, the Seniors A team, minus their Captain who was otherwise engaged treating his Dad to a delayed Father’s Day present, prepared to meet their adversaries, Telecom. They may have been without their main man, but the home team were under the watchful eyes of the main man’s mother who seemed to have instructions to go here, there and everywhere, once she’d put her massive box of shuttles down. As if this vigilance wasn’t enough, it was lovely to see the Edmundson clan out in force, looking so well.

The Seniors A ladies, ‘thisgirlcan’ Jess Portas, Joanna Holt and Sarah Woodhouse, who played at 3, faced Jane Makey, Kath Spillane with Judith Hamilton at 3. The games were neck and neck, with some excellent rallies and court coverage. Judith unleashed the weapon of her centre line long serve, causing frantic retrieval skills from the home side. The young Seniors’ ladies, however, eventually proved too much for Telecom to handle, but not without Kath and Judith nicking a game from Joanna and Sarah. Experience has to count for something as they came off court and totted up the age difference between the two sides.

On the adjacent courts, the Seniors A gents, led by the reinvigorated Nathan Whitehead, Matt Boyes and Olly Gregory at 3, faced part of the Holt family, in Cameron and his Dad, David, who played at 3, with Scott Heywood playing at top. Like their ladies, the Telecom men battled long and hard. All four games were extremely close and, again, the rallies were evenly  matched. It was Olly’s well balanced coverage of the court, however, and Nathan’s punishing smashes, which eventually saw the home side take the men’s doubles.

As the mixed games got underway, there was a welcome respite for the number 3 man for Telecom, David, as Jess and Nathan at top mixed played their opposite number, Jane and Scott. Two excellent games here saw some brilliant reaching of the shuttle from the ever positive Scott and delicate net play and coverage by his partner, Jane. The Seniors’ couple, however, blasted their way to 21 first. With fresh energy (and oxygen) behind him, David and Judith then met Jo and Matt for Seniors. Some excellent consistent serving by the home side forced mistakes from Telecom which not even Judith’s centre line serve could overcome. Next up, Olly and Sarah played Kath and Cameron. It’s becoming a bit of a cliché, but this was another point for point battle between the two sides. This time, however, young Cameron split the games, giving Telecom their second game of the night. As the final mixed games went on court, Jo and Matt for the home side played against Jane and Scott, followed by Jess and Nathan against Kath and Cameron: unfortunately for Telecom, the Seniors’ team had the bit between their teeth at this stage of the evening, and came away with the remaining games.

The photo of the league table which the Telecom captain had taken prior to tonight’s fixture may have been short lived, but his team put up a very brave fight against a talented young group of players from Seniors A.

RR – 20/10/2017

Goodshaw v Abacus B                     Haslingden Sports Centre      Thursday 19^th October 2017

 An Anniversary Win for Goodshaw

 A local match for me to cover this week between two very evenly matched teams: the home side led by the smiley Anniversary Captain, Nigel Holt, who played at one, assisted by Mike Nicholson and Dean Bertenshaw at two and three respectively; the Goodshaw ladies were Kath Gillam and Val Bertenshaw, with Lisa Archer playing at three. Their adversaries on the night, Abacus B, were Captained by Kathy Kier, who played at two, along with the experienced Julie Blackburn and Karen Cook; with the canny Mr Mick Crilly at one, assisted by Eric Duckworth and Paul Hooper, at two and three for the away team.

In the opening ladies’ games, despite some excellent anticipation and determined court coverage from the Abacus ladies, the strength of Lisa Archer at three ensured a solid start for Goodshaw. In the men’s games, however, all four games were extremely close and well fought. It really was neck and neck throughout, with all four men battling to get to 21 first. It was lovely to see the keen as mustard Mick, coming back from a shoulder operation, covering the court as energetically as ever. Delicate net shots and excellent short serving from Mike Nicholson for Goodshaw and strong centre line smashes from Dean meant the away men really had to work hard for every point. At the end of the level doubles, the home team were up 6 games to 2, with both men’s games split.

In the mixed doubles, the top pairing of Kath and Nigel, faced the tactical play of Julie and Mick for Abacus. There were many close rallies in this good humoured game with the away team winning both games. Nigel’s team seemed spurred on by their captain’s defeat, however, and the rest of the mixed games went Goodshaw’s way. There was some excellent agility at the net from Val Bertenshaw who produced the shot of the night when she retrieved Mick’s smash with a cross court winner in two very close games against the top Abacus pairing. Lisa and Dean were equally effective in their mixed, played as a level game, when they took on Kathy and Eric, despite some punishing cross court shots from the Abacus gent.

Despite the final score, this was a very evenly matched game, played with friendly competitiveness and good humour from start to finish. Tournament week is fast approaching, folks – your secretaries have received Claire’s email – so get thinking about who you’d like to enter with and make Rick Smith and his team of handicappers work hard on your handicap in singles, mixed and doubles!

RR – 11/10/2017

Hit and Miss A   v    Caprica                       9^th October 2017

‘Oh the dirt I could dish on these two’

Still basking in the fright they had given to Blackburn Seniors A the previous week where they ended the level doubles 6,2 up before realising they must have peaked too early, the young pretenders, ably captained by Sue Hirons, warmed up in readiness for tonight’s game. Their other ladies, Laura Beard (soon to be Mrs Chris Whitwell) and her bridesmaid buddy, Olivia Lucas, two very competent players from Colne, along with Laura’s soon to be husband, Chris, skipping Jonny Bradley and Ian Bythell. The home team, captained by Mr Nonchalance himself, Keith Ashton, had Abdul Malik, multi-tasking a little crèche at the side of the court, and the promising Rees Parry, fresh up from the B team. The Hit and Miss ladies were Julie Bates and Cheryl Parry partnered by the sprightly Alison Leaver, that energetic left hander.

In the first set of ladies’ games, the Caprica bridesmaids took an exciting game from Cheryl and Alison with Olivia’s thoughtful placing of the shuttle and deceptive flick clears forcing the home team to dig deep. Alison and Julie, however, proved too strong for the second ladies, Sue and Olivia, despite some excellent retrieval play from the opposition. In the men’s doubles, young Rees partnered the experienced Mr Nonchalance and multi-tasking Malik against the energetic Ian, playing first with Chris and then with Jonny. There were many long, exhausting rallies in all four men’s games, but the Hit and Miss men came away with all four games with Abdul producing the shot of the match, a beautiful cross court net shot.

In the mixed doubles, Laura and Chris were so eager to take on Abdul and Julie that the games momentarily went out of order. Fortunately, this gave the exhausted third men, Ian and Rees, time to recover. The order of the games is something the committee will need to re-visit I think as whoever plays at three seems to have their games consecutively according to the score sheet. Keith and Cheryl took control at top mixed against Chris and Laura (soon to be Mr and Mrs), but the away team snatched another game against Alison and Rees where Sue and Jonny’s tactical format proved highly successful. In their second mixed game, this time against Keith and Cheryl, Captain Sue finally realised the opposition were fallible. Despite Mr Nonchalance reaching shots which at times seemed to be out of his bottom drawer, the excellent drop shot winner from Jonny split the games. The experienced partnership of Abdul and Julie, however, proved too much for Olivia and Ian, despite much court coverage from the Caprica pairing.

So, a well fought and competitive match with some excellent play from both teams. Good wishes to Laura and Chris for their forthcoming wedding. Oh, the ‘dirt’ promised in the title: they met on court (this is why badminton is so good for you!) when Chris hit Laura in the face with the shuttle. ‘Was she on the other side of the net I hear you ask?’ No, she was playing with him and foolishly turned round at the wrong time. Enough said…apart from ‘and they lived happily ever after’.

Tonight’s pictures include a blast from the past courtesy of the Hit and Miss Captain: the 25 years on the trot winners of the League, the YMCA A team!

RR – 02/10/2017

Hit and Miss B  v  St Matthews                                     2^nd October, 2017

It’s a family affair

After a quick warm up, the match was soon underway: the chat at the back of the court veered between ‘Is it too soon to pinch a slice of Rees’s birthday cake?’ (yes, the master baker himself, Phil Rhodes, was playing tonight!) and the debate of were the Parry men wearing their own shorts? Apart from that, there was Stewart Hope as the very proud granddad of Isaac, the British judo champion, and the 50 year celebratory thank you that Roefield gave to Bunty Meadows following her coaching marathon which started at Ribblesdale, before moving to the Parish Church and on to Roefield. We have some very talented and committed people in our league!

Anyway, on the match. In the ladies’ doubles, the games were split with the two youngsters for the home side, Aqsa Adam and Sophie Nicholson, taking on the experienced pairing of Andrea Walmsley and Aliya Ayub. The second ladies’ match was also split, this time with Cheryl Parry (I am not calling her Chezza Pezza, Rees!) partnering Sophie, and a different Andrea (Mason) pairing up with Aliya. On the adjacent courts the Hit and Miss men, Martin Meadows and the indomitable Phil Rhodes, had an excellent game against St Matthews’ captain, Brian Chappell, and Hefin Parry (yes, Dad/husband was playing for the opposition, but more of this later). The rallies in this game seemed to go on forever (were the shuttles slow?) and there were some delicate disguised drop shots from Phil to really test the fitness of the away pairing. As in the ladies’ games, however, this match was likewise split between the two teams and the fixture remained even.  In the second men’s game, Phil partnered the young Parry, Rees, against his Dad, Hefin, and Stewart Hope. Again, there were some long, exhausting rallies with very effective centre court smashing from Rees. When the bionic knee support came out for the home team, however, the St Matthews men knew they were in trouble.

As the mixed pairings went on court, there was still all to play for. At top mixed, young Aqsa played with Martin against Andrea Walmsley and Brian. There was some thoughtful, tactical play from Martin as he pushed the opposition around the court and excellent short serving from Aqsa. It was the next mixed doubles’ game, however, which the spectators had been waiting for, where Cheryl and Rees faced Hefin, playing with Aliya. Never an easy thing playing against your own family (and, at times, with them!) the Parrys battled with grace and were all still speaking at the end of it. Phil and Sophie were next up against Andrea M and Stewart. Phil’s delicate net shots and drops from the back of the court ensured another very tightly fought match. Cheryl and Rees then faced Andrea W and the wily Brian who, were it not for some very controlled serving from Cheryl at the end, would have sneaked the first game of mixed from the home team. After a bit of a breather, Andrea M and Stewart faced Aqsa and Martin in what was to be the last game of the match.

All in all, then, though the score sheet might not reflect it, a very closely fought match played with friendly competitiveness and rounded off by a delicious slice of coffee cake. Perfect!

RR – 2017 Cup Final

Times Cup Final – Telecom A  v Telecom B

Well, to call this final a family affair is certainly no understatement; one look at the team sheet would be enough to convince you of that, since half of the players all came from the same Holt stock. How would they fare, however, when pitted against each other – both brother against brother, and parent against child? From beginning to end, the matches were played in friendly rivalry and great sportsmanship, the rumour of what Tina had actually fed her A team counterparts for their tea that night long since forgotten.

For the A team, David Holt partnered first Andrew Barlow, and later his son, Cameron, against the B team might of wily Nils McDonald who had the joy of two Holt boys in the men’s, first Rhys and then Niall. In the ladies’ doubles, the experienced Kath Spillane played with a very nicely tanned Jane Makey, followed by Lesley Quigley, against the steady B team ladies of Gill Luker, Choi Davidson and mum, Tina Holt.

The doubles’ matches were both close and very exciting. Particularly impressive was Choi Davidson’s focus and shot accuracy, with extremely accurate backhand drops seeming to come off every time! In the men’s, Nils’ retrieval skills and Niall’s strong smashes ensured some excellent battling rallies on both courts. At one point, cramp stopped play for Andrew Barlow due to the effort exuded on the court. The generous play of both teams, frequent apologies and appreciation of the oppositions’ shots, were a credit to the Telecom club.

Eventually, however, there had to be a winner and it was up to mum and dad Holt to open the envelope. By the smallest of margins, the A team had come through victorious, although their celebrations were nicely muted since half of them would be going home with each other!

Well done, Telecom A.

RR – 05/04/2017

Hit and Miss B versus Goodshaw – Was this a Clash of the Titans or The Smiling Assassin?

Unfortunately, the Roving Reporter was unable to attend this top of Division 2 match on Monday, 3rd April, so she cajoled Big Sis into it. Apologies, then, in advance as my prose will not match hers….also, sorry, but there are no photos as my phone is a dinosaur!

It’s squeaky bum time in Division 2 as 3 teams – Hit and Miss B, Goodshaw and Westholme B – are all vying for promotion and the honour of becoming Division champions.

The teams were as follows:

Hit and Miss B                                                                        Goodshaw

Helen Borrowdale and Dhaamin Malik          Kath Riley and Gary Pollock

Aqsa Adam and Rees Parry                            Val Bertenshaw and Nigel Holt

Sophie Nicholson and Darryl Smith                Lisa Archer and Dean Bertenshaw

In the ladies doubles Goodshaw won all four games as, despite the great experience of Helen Borrowdale the Goodshaw ladies proved too strong for the up-and-coming young players from Hit and Miss. The games were a treat to watch, however, and there were some fine rallies. Lisa and Val, for Goodshaw, looked most fetching in matching skirts, whilst the Hit and Miss ladies were the Women in Black.

The mens doubles proved to be a different matter, as Hit and Miss took three out of the four games. Dhaamin Malik, resplendent in bright orange trainers, used his powerful smash to great effect. In the second mens match, the Hit and Miss pairing of Rees and Darryl provided us with two nail-biting games. The pace was fast and furious and there were some super drop shots from young Rees Parry, who is rapidly developing as a player. Although Goodshaw lost both games their determination never wavered. Nigel Holt, chatty man, kept up a running commentary on court and his cheerful smile and demeanour were infectious!

The mixed doubles games – 10 in total – were, predictably, split between the two teams. All were entertaining to watch, although at times the relative inexperience of the Hit and Miss team was no match for the more seasoned Goodshaw players.

The final result was a victory for Goodshaw  by 10 games to 8.

I spent a most enjoyable evening, watching some great badminton. But what made it all the more pleasurable were the cakes and biscuits hand-made and supplied – to both teams! – by Philip Rhodes. Boy, that man can bake! His white and dark chocolate chip buns were to die for! Great British Bake-Off – here he comes!

Cathy Hunt

RR – 27/03/2017

Westholme B v Hit and Miss B  – You’re not going to share your carrot cake?

Things are tight at the top of the second division so I thought I’d take time out to visit my own B team, Captained by the capable Helen Wharton, as they faced the young pretenders, Hit and Miss B: well, when I say young, I mean ‘at heart’ for a couple of their players.

Westholme got off to a good start as Helen and Jenny Brookfield, flying down from the A team, took on the two young stars from Hit and Miss, Sophie Nicholson (with Mum watching from the wings) and Aqsa Adam (with two very proud parents on the side lines). The experience of the home pairing, however, quickly proved too much for the Hit and Miss ladies.  In the adjacent men’s game, the away team of Rees Parry and Phil Rhodes, faced Simon Townsend and Maz Haware. The rallies were rampant, the doubles play was dominant and there was savage smashing from all four men – and that’s enough alliteration to appease anybody! As the second ladies’ pairing took to the court, Jenny and Anne Robinson, against the ladies in black, young Sophie and our very own H – namely Helen Borrowdale – the match was even stevens, with all still to play for. As sharp as ever at the net, H dominated much of the play, with young Jenny really pushed hard around the court. As the ladies battled, eventually, splitting their games, the home men on the adjacent court, Maz partnering the website man himself, Alex Pimperton, as they faced the indomitable Mr Rhodes and young Dhaamin Malik. After his month’s rest from playing, Phil was positively demonic on court, reaching the unreachable with his never say die mentality. Both couples fought hard in what were very close games, both of which went the way of the away team.

As the mixed doubles got under way, it was still anyone’s game. The mean machine of Simon Townsend, partnering Helen at top mixed, faced young Aqsa and Rees. Some excellent touch control at the net from the experienced Helen and very forceful smashing from her partner, Simon, saw the home couple win both games. In the second mixed, however, the anticipation of Helen Borrowdale at the net as she partnered Dhaamin against Anne and Alex, eventually proved too much for the home pairing, although both games went down to the wire. Maz and Jenny were next up against the inexhaustible Phil, partnering young Sophie. This game was fittingly split between the couples, with Phil executing the shot of the match, a delightful cross court drop, an out and out winner. Next up, Dhamian and H faced Helen and Simon for Westholme. It was lovely to see the way in which the Hit and Miss gent grew in confidence in this game as his wrist control pushed the home team around the court. In the final mixed game, Alex and Anne took on the young couple, Rees and Aqsa in what was another well-tempered game, one in which Aqsa never seemed to stop smiling.

At the end of the evening, Hit and Miss were victorious by the smallest of margins, winning 10 games to 8.

And the carrot cake? Well, if you’d been given a homemade carrot cake by Phil Rhodes, I can guarantee you’d not share it either! It was not a bribe by the way, but a very late Christmas present!

RR 2016 – Week 12

Westholme A v St Phillips – Where have the years gone?

I decided to cover my own team again this week, largely because I wasn’t playing and it would give me something to do, but also to make sure Chairman Andy Howard and his well- established team, St Phillips,  got their annual write up – this time with a picture too boot!

In the doubles, Lynn Hosegood and Jenny Brookfield for the home team, faced Elaine Norris and Laura Cannan. The first game was particularly close but Westholme’s retrieval skills, particularly from young Jenny, eventually proved too much for the gallant opposition. On the adjacent court, Westholme men, Mohammed Suleman and the powerful left hander, Sam Ames, met that young whippersnapper, Mick Ormerod, and his partner, Pete Wright. Despite waiting for an operation on his achilles at the start of next month, Pete’s movement round the court was a fluid as ever, giving the home pairing a good game of badminton. The long awaited return of Maxine Watson for Westholme, again partnering Jenny, then faced Elaine and Julie Butterworth. Another close battle ensued, with some excellent attacking cross court shots from both St Phillips’ ladies. In the final doubles match, Sam partnered the website man himself, Alex Pimperton, as he bravely stepped up  to the dizzy heights of the A team to face the Burnley supporter, Mick, and our Chairman, Andy. An enthusiastic performance from Alex along with exhaustive court coverage by both St Phillips’ gents, drew another very close match. Unfortunately for the away team, Sam’s strong smash saw the match go Westholme’s way.

As the mixed couples knocked up and the home team realised who was playing with who, the whisper of ‘It’s an honour to get Maxine’ went round the benches. First up, however, the competitive couple, Sully and Lynn, faced Laura and Pete. Tight net play by the Westholme lady and accurate smashing from Sully forced the away pairing to their limit. Next on court, Alex, chomping at the bit for the honour of playing with Maxine, faced the experienced pairing of Chairman Andy and Julie. Another close game followed, with many excellent long rallies and some delicate net play from Julie. As the number 3 pairs of Jenny and Sam for Westholme and Elaine and Mick for St Phillips went on court, the away team were yet to win a game. Undeterred, they battled to the end, with the second game in particular going right down to the wire. Practising for their next tournament together, the number 1 pairing for Westholme, Sully and Lynn, faced Julie and Andy, in another well played battle. In the final match of the night, Pete and Laura for St Phillips, took a game off Alex and Maxine, despite some excellent defensive play by both Westholme players.

And as Pete and Andy reminisced about their Under18 victory against Lee Hargreaves and Guy Wignall at Shadsworth all those many moons ago, and posed for this photo, Chairman Andy wondered about bringing in a rule about extra points and games for the years of experience in a team. Perhaps we will see it on our AGM at the end of the season?

All the best for a speedy recovery, Pete, on your achilles.

RR 2016 – Week 11

Westholme A   v   Seniors B    23rd January 2017 – Very smart, boys

My apologies (again) for missing a week: I was all sorted to write a report on my own match against St Philips in the new courts at Blackburn College but unfortunately this match was postponed the day before. A poor excuse, I know.

I decided to stick with my own team, however, for this week’s report, as we faced the young crew of Seniors B. Looking resplendent in matching blue kit (tops and shorts!) it has to be said that, for style, the Seniors’ boys put their ladies to shame (despite a rumour going round of buy one, get two free).

Enough of the fashion, on with the game! In the opening ladies’ matches, Jenny Brookfield and Lynn Hosegood for the home team, faced the strong partnership of Jess Portas and Emily Cholmondeley for Seniors B. Two very closely fought games were duly split between the couples, following some quick attacking net play by Lynn, fresh from her county veterans’ success at the weekend. Next up, Captain Claire Banfield (hehe) partnered the ever bouncy Jenny, against Seniors’ Captain, Helen Shanks, and Emily. Although play had to momentarily stop as all applauded Emily’s shot of the season, an excellent back hand drop, the Westholme ladies soon found their stride on court and took control of both games.

In the men’s doubles, Mohammed Suleman and Graham Robinson for Westholme, faced the first of two very well-dressed Seniors’ players, in Matt Cole and Brad Savage. As focussed as ever, Brad was quick to pounce on anything in the air and the Westholme men defended with a vengeance. Some efficient tramline smashing from Matt, however, eventually saw this close battle duly split between the pairings. Next up, the A team reserve, Maz Hazwar, bravely stood up with Graham to face two more smart players as Brad partnered the kneepad king himself, Michael Boothman. Despite some very spirited rallies, the young Seniors’ pairing were eager to assert themselves on the experienced Westholme partnership, eventually winning both games.

The match, then, was evenly poised at four games all as we went in to the mixed doubles.

First up for Westholme, Sully and Lynn faced Jess and Matt for Seniors B. Some close line calls from the home side brought the game to a neck and neck finale, which the away pairing narrowly missed out on. On the adjacent court, Maz and Claire for Westholme played Michael and Helen. Having lost the first game, the Westholme pairing changed their tactics and stopped lifting  to the nifty left hander. This seemed to work and the match was drawn, one game a-piece. As the number three pairings of Jenny and Graham for the home team and Emily and Brad for Seniors, walked on court, the Westholme  B team practice (yes, that’s how seriously Helen Wharton has them training!) ended  and Anne Robinson came down to support her husband. Well, when I say ‘support’, perhaps that’s too strong a word.  As Graham rubbed deep heat in (and I drifted back to the Tiger Balm/Deep Heat debate of the Seniors A v Hit and Miss match) Anne fed me lots of gossipy tit bits – fortunately, none of them printable in today’s report! What I can tell you is that it’s Graham’s birthday on Saturday and he moves up in to the next age bracket in his successful veterans’ career for Lancashire and England. Anyway, I digress – rather a lot! Jenny and Graham won both their games, after which Sully and Lynn really showed us how it’s done by emphatically beating the number two pairing of Helen and Michael. As Claire and Maz tried their best to retrieve the shuttle smashed at them by Jess and Matt, the match had fortunately already been won by Westholme.

My thanks go to Jenny who added up the score sheet, and to Anne and Graham who picked up the shuttles and put the courts away. The last word must, however, go to the smart new outfits worn by the Seniors’ men – but you can judge for yourself in the photo gallery.