Disappointing Close to Season

A full strength Stanway side were soundly beaten in our final Essex League Mens match of the season by Chelmsford who also were able to field their best combinations including English National Champion Dave Wood. Maybe a late start on a Monday night didn't suit us very well but there were several tired performances as we went down 8-1.

Unless Redbridge can win their three remaining games including a victory over league leaders Ramgarhia the East End team will be promoted to Division 1.

Team for Essex Men vs. Chelmsford

Our final Essex Mens fixture is away at Chelmsford; it would be nice to finish with a win -

James, Mark, Andy, Trevor, Joe and Simon

Check out the latest league tables at; http://www.salbc.info/online/tables/ecba_tables.asp

KO Cup Final Result

Stanway narrowly lost the final of the KO Cup tonight by the slender margin of 12 points on a handicap of 171. The St. Osyth players scrapped for every point, in particular their three men who were diving to scramble back the shuttle and force mistakes.

Thanks for everyone that's played in the event this year. I think we've all enjoyed it showing that the competition can be fun (in a strangely tense sort of way) even when chasing down a large handicap.

Well done St. Osyth and well done to John Stuck for getting the handicaps so close in many games this year.

Essex Mens Set for Close Finish

Division 2 Mens is shaping up for another very interesting final month with five teams still in with a shout of clinching promotion. Ramgarhia remain faourites with 27 points from 9 matches but Redbridge have suddenly come good with a string of results including a 6-3 win over ourselves holding 24 points from 8 matches. Chelmsford have 26 from 9 and we've 27 from 11, with our final game being away at Chelmsford.

Epping now seem to be off the pace having lost 7-2 to ourselves on Sunday and St. Aidens have struggled all season. Leyton haven't entered enough results to be sure where they stand and could still mount a challenge.

Redbridge still have to play Ramgarhia and Chelsmford and would steal the title at the death with two wins. Only if we beat Chelmsford and other results go in our favour can Stanway be promoted.

KO Cup Final - 13th April

The team for the KO Cup Final at the University next Tuesday starting 7pm is;

Julia M, Michelle and Liz
Mark W, Trevor and Simon

We are playing St. Osyth so we expect a tough handicap.

Reflections of the current season

So what do we think about the season that is nearly coming to and end?
The club has continued to dominate the local league by winning the mens & mixed league championships.
But we saw a change, not the dominant 1st & 2nd place finishes in either division, but the ladies did finish more strongly, and arguably could have won their league had they chosen to field their strongest team, but instead opted to play a number of players on a rotational basis, so well done to Louise & team for a stronger showing this term.
Mens A have been beset by injuries, and chose not to tie any of the mens B team, leading to them playing with 2 pairs on at least 2 occasions. Surely this is not right for a club with 3 teams, but unless the league dictate otherwise, this should be addressed at the coming AGM?
So to the 3rd Mens team, and what a turn a round. From proping up the league last year, they have become credible contenders for the div 3 title. Were it not for the loss of 2 key players, 1 to emigration and 1 to mens B, they would probably have gone on to win their division.
So what of the club's main focus, the county league? Again the mens team has been competitive, but will ultimately come up short in the quest to promotion from div 2 of the mens league. Away losses to Redbridge & Leyton Youth will prove costly, and despite managing the loss of Adam at local league, I don't think we have done at county league level.
There are plusses, the entry of a team in the county ladies league, who have been well received when they've played, and the current unbeaten run of the combi team, who finally won a match after 3 years of tring, and followed it with another win.
From a personal note this blog would not end correctly without my most hearty congratuations to Joe Skornia on his victory in the mens singles in the recent Colchester Open. Well done Joe!!

Welcome to Stanway BC News

All team captains can now place reports and news items directly onto the club website by updating the club blog (http://blog.stanway-badminton.org.uk/). This should encourage a more dynamic website allowing everyone to keep up to date with the results of other club teams, events and news.

Club members can use the blog to leave comments.

If you have any questions about this feature of the website please speak to me.