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LEAGUE TABLES!!!

With the news from the meeting, I will now have to do the tables manually, because it's simply impossible to do the tables on Excel with two different match formats.

2009/10 season league tables:
5th January 2010

These are the league tables as up to date as I have them. Also some of the results I have as draws, I haven't been told the winning team from those draws, so for now they are losing draws.

Cup Finals report (2):
23rd December 2009

I would like to take this opportunity wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  This time of year gives us all a chance to recharge our batteries and be "fighting fit" for the second half of the season.

Last week saw the first of the Garryowen Southport and District Badminton League Cup Finals take place at Southport College. Both matches proved to be very closely fought encounters with none more so then the inter club tie in the St Paul's Cup Final between Burscough II and Burscough III. 

The first games of the night were 1^st and 2^nd Womens Doubles where both events went to Burscough II quickly giving them a 2 events to 0 lead.  The 1st Mens Doubles pairing of Andy Owen and Lewis Parkinson got Burscough III them back into the game with a 21-16, 21-13 win, however, 2^nd Mens was taken by Mike Woods and Andy Mantell who fought out a tough 21-12, 19-21, 21-10 win to extend Burscough II’s lead.

Burscough III took 3rd Womens Doubles 21-18, 21-17 but Burscough II were back to winning ways in a long and hard fought encounter at 3rd Mens Doubles which Simon Williams and Andy Mantell  won 22-20, 18-21, 21-13 in a 34 minute game.

This match took a massive turning point at 1st Mixed Doubles when Andy Owen and Sue Benson (Burscough III) played David Broadbent and Diane Jennings (Burscough II).  The first game went the way of Burscough II 21-13.Burscough III managed to dig in and win the second game 21-14 which gave the Burscough III pair all to play for in the third game which they succeeded in winning 21-19. 

With 2nd Mixed Doubles still to play the match score was extremely close with Burscough II leading 4 events to 3  but what made this more interesting was that for Burscough II to still be in with a chance of winning the match they had to win  2^nd Mixed in 3 ends which would have given an 8 all draw, meaning the result of the Cup Final would go down to points scored by each team.  Confused? I think most of the players and spectators were! 

The Burscough II pairing of Mike Woods and Maria Lyons managed to win the first game 21-13 leaving Mike Gilmartin and Pat Boylett needing to win the next two games. They quickly gained a 19-15 lead giving the possibility of going to a third and final game but Mike Woods and Maria Lyons were not giving up and managed to pull the game back into Burscough II’s favour resulting in a final match score of Burscough II 5  Burscough III 3.

Greenbank High School was the venue for the Hudson Cup between Southport 1 and West End Park 1. After a late start the match got under way with Southport quickly gaining a 2 events to 0 lead by winning 1st and 2nd Mens Doubles both of which were closely contested and went to 3 games. 

Southport extended their lead with Amanda Gibson and Lizzie Balmforth making quick work of the 1st Womens Doubles 21-19, 21-12, but West End Park’s Sue Wilkie and Cathy Atfield fought back by taking 2nd Womens Doubles 21-16, 22-20.   

With 3rd Mens and 3rd Womens Doubles to play the match was still very closely balanced.  West End Park got back into the match when Sue Wilkie and Sharon Taylor won 3rd Womens Doubles in two games but West End Park’s men were unable to emulate the feat of their ladies with Rick Wallbank and Simon Christian losing out to a strong Southport pairing of Nick Hodgson and Steve Horton 21-16, 21-18. Southport now needed just 1 game from the Mixed to win the Hudson Cup but the fighting spirit was not gone from West End Park as Daniel Finn and Hayley Harrison won an exciting 3 ender at 1st Mixed 21-15, 14-21, 21-10. The outcome of the Hudson Cup rested on the last event 2nd Mixed Doubles with victory finally claimed by Southport when Ash Gibson and Katy McWalters beat Anthony Pratt and Cathy Atfield 21-14, 14-21, 21-15.

The final of the St Simons and St Judes Cup was between Tarleton III and Formby II. Formby took an early lead by winning both 1st and 2nd Mens Doubles in what proved to be long, hard and closely contested games with both events going to 3 ends. Tarleton III’s ladies made easier work of it than their men by winning both 1st and 2nd Womens Doubles in two straight sets.  Formby II’s pairing of Geoff Rydill and Roy Thomas won 3^rd Mens Doubles 21-11, 21-18 but 3^rd Womens Doubles went to Val Bray and Cathryn Jackson of Tarleton 21-11, 25-23 leaving the match score finely balanced at 3 events all.

Tarleton were able to get at least one hand on the cup when Chris Barnes and Liz Hawksby made quick work of winning 1^st Mixed  21-9, 22-20.  Tarleton’s Phil Clegg and Bev Wookey needed to win both games to confirm victory but the Formby pairing of Cameron Montgomery and Norma Armstrong proved too strong for Tarleton by winning 21-16, 21-6 giving a scoreline of 4 events all  but on games won the St Simons and St Judes Cup went  to Tarleton with a 10 - 8 victory.

The Pioneers Cup Final was played between Formby 3 and Formby Methodists 2. The first event of the night was 1st Mens Doubles with the pairing of Alan Hansen and Liam Moore giving Formby Methodists an early advantage by defeating Daniel Newman and Don Gordon 21/17, 21/11. On the adjacent court Pam Higgins and Margaret Lambert won a closely contested 1st Womens Doubles against Sara McGrath and Jackie Taylor 21/17, 17/21, 23/21 giving Formby Methodists a 2 event advantage which was further extended at 2nd Mens with a win by Lewis Conlan and Dave Miller. Formby reduced the deficit by winning their first event of the night when Rachel Choong and Doreen Whalley defeated Jane Owen and Laura Batten 21/16, 21/18 but Formby Methodists restored their advantage with a win at 3rd Mens by Alan Hansen and Lewis Conlan. Daniel Newman and Sara McGrath won 1^st Mixed for Formby defeating Liam Moore and Pam Higgins 21/14, 21/16.

With 3^rd Womens and 2nd Mixed going on court at the same time Formby needed to win both events, and one of them by two games to nil, to snatch the match from Formby Methodists. A win  by Margaret Lambert and Jane Owen, who came back from 20/16 down in the first game to win 22/20 and then won the second game 21/15 to give Formby Methodists a winning 5 events. 2nd Mixed concluded the match and went the way of Formby with the youthful pairing of Paul Ray and Rachel Choong defeating Dave Miller and Laura Batten in three closely contested games 21/18, 18/21, 21/12. After an enjoyable match played in a good and sporting spirit, Alan Taylor presented the Pioneers Cup to Liam Moore of Formby Methodists and the Runners- Up Shield to Sara McGrath of Formby.

Woodvale 1X and Hoole met in the Inflight Cup Final on Wednesday evening at Southport College. The Mens Doubles were all taken by Hoole, with the experience play of Ray Jones, Peter Jones and Alistair Knockton being too good for the young players from Woodvale, however George Brice and Andrew Sumner came close to taking 1st Mens to a third game narrowly losing 14-21, 23-25. In the Womens Doubles, Kathryn and Lauren Eyes and Katie Dixon Turner and Heather Poole pulled two events back for Woodvale, but Hoole's Sue Overmire and Sophie Williams squeezed a 21 -19, 21 -15 victory over Lauren Eyes and Heather Poole.  With just the Mixed Doubles remaining the result of the match was still in the balance but Hoole's Peter Jones and Emma Hall pipped George Brice and Kathryn Eyes in a tightly fought contest 22 - 20, 22- 20.  Although Hoole had already clinched victory the Woodvale pairing of Jordan Woolley and Katie Dixon Turner took the final event to 3 ends narrowly losing 13-21, 21-16, 16-21.

Woodvale 7 came up against Southport 6 in the final of the Frank Simpson Cup which unfortunately proved to be a one sided affair. The experienced Southport team quickly gained a 3 event lead and in spite of a win by Ben Taylor and Chang Wong, Woodvale could not stop Southport from emerging 7-1 winners.

The Hackney Cup Final between Churchtown II and Southport III gave Southport B C the chance to win their third cup in two days. In the first game of the Mens Doubles Churchtown’s John Bowker and Mark Rigby narrowly lost to Dave Boon and Mark Leech 20 – 22, but managed to turn the event around in the second with a comfortable win of 21-8.  The third game went the way of Churchtown in a closer game 21-18.  Southport got back on level terms at 2nd Womens Doubles with Anita Abdous and Sue Hartley. The Southport lead was extended with victories at 2nd Mens and 2nd and 3rd Womens Doubles.Southport managed to tie the match up by winning a very long and hard fought 1st Mixed Doubles with Kevin Balmforth and Anita Abdous beating John Bowker and Lisa Abbott 21-12, 12-21, 21-15.

Sincere thanks goes to all the umpires and organizers who have given up their time to officiate at the Cup Finals this week particularly at such a busy time of the year.

Cup Finals report:
18th December 2009

The beginning of this week saw the first of the Garryowen Southport and District Badminton League Cup Finals take place at Southport College. Both matches proved to be very closely fought encounters with none more so then the inter club tie in the St Paul's Cup Final between Burscough II and Burscough III. 

The first games of the night were 1^st and 2^nd Womens Doubles where both events went to Burscough II quickly giving them a 2 events to 0 lead.  The 1st Mens Doubles pairing of Andy Owen and Lewis Parkinson got Burscough III them back into the game with a 21-16, 21-13 win, however, 2^nd Mens was taken by Mike Woods and Andy Mantell who fought out a tough 21-12, 19-21, 21-10 win to extend Burscough II’s lead.

Burscough III took 3rd Womens Doubles 21-18, 21-17 but Burscough II were back to winning ways in a long and hard fought encounter at 3rd Mens Doubles which Simon Williams and Andy Mantell  won 22-20, 18-21, 21-13 in a 34 minute game.

This match took a massive turning point at 1st Mixed Doubles when Andy Owen and Sue Benson (Burscough III) played David Broadbent and Diane Jennings (Burscough II).  The first game went the way of Burscough II 21-13.Burscough III managed to dig in and win the second game 21-14 which gave the Burscough III pair all to play for in the third game which they succeeded in winning 21-19. 

With 2nd Mixed Doubles still to play the match score was extremely close with Burscough II leading 4 events to 3  but what made this more interesting was that for Burscough II to still be in with a chance of winning the match they had to win  2nd mixed in 3 ends.  Which would have given an 8 all draw, meaning the result of the Cup Final would go down to points scored by each team.  Confused? I think most of the players and spectators were! 

The Burscough II pairing of Mike Woods and Maria Lyons managed to win the first game 21-13 leaving Mike Gilmartin and Pat Boylett needing to win the next two games. They quickly gained a 19-15 lead giving the possibility of going to a third and final game but Mike Woods and Maria Lyons were not giving up and managed to pull the game back into Burscough II’s favour resulting in a final match score of Burscough II 5  Burscough III 3.

The St Simons and St Judes Cup Final was between Tarleton III and Formby II. Formby took an early lead by winning both 1st and 2nd Mens Doubles in what proved to be long, hard and closely contested games with both events going to 3 ends. Tarleton III’s ladies made easier work of it than their men by winning both 1st and 2nd Womens Doubles in two straight sets.  Formby II’s pairing of Geoff Rydill and Roy Thomas won 3^rd Mens Doubles 21-11, 21-18 but 3^rd Womens Doubles went to Val Bray and Cathryn Jackson of Tarleton 21-11, 25-23 leaving the match score finely balanced at 3 events all.

Tarleton were able to get at least one hand on the cup when Chris Barnes and Liz Hawksby made quick work of winning 1^st Mixed  21-9, 22-20.  Tarleton’s Phil Clegg and Bev Wookey needed to win both games to confirm victory but the Formby pairing of Cameron Montgomery and Norma Armstrong proved too strong for Tarleton by winning 21-16, 21-6 giving a scoreline of 4 events all  but on games won the St Simons and St Judes Cup went  to Tarleton with a 10 - 8 victory.

Sincere thanks goes to all the umpires and organizers who have given up their time to officiate at the Cup Finals this week particularly at such a busy time of the year.

Players are reminded if they wish to enter the C tournament - their entries need to be sent to Daniel Wright (daniel.wright@kpmg.co.uk) by February 12th 2010. This tournament will be run over the weekend of February 27th and 28th. In each event you are guaranteed three matches. The entry fee for this tournament is £10 per event or three events for £20. The entry fee includes all shuttles and prizes for the winners and runners up.

Dates for Cup Finals:
8th December 2009

Round 8 report:
4th December 2009

The first half of the Garryowen Southport and District Badminton League season is almost over with only one week of league matches to play before Christmas. All the divisions are very close and at this stage there are still plenty of points to fight for in both the promotion and relegation stakes.  This was proved recently in a Division 4 match between Formby Methodist 1 and Tarleton 2 in what turned out to be yet another closely contested match. 1st, 2nd and 3rd mixed doubles were all halved but the Tarleton pairing of Sue McMillan and Albert Sumner at 4^th mixed were able to give Tarleton a slight advantage by winning both games 21-13, 21-13 to give them a 5 – 3 lead at this stage. 

Formby Methodists levelled the match score when Karl Price and Brett Bienas won 21-7, 21-12 at 1^st men’s doubles. 2nd men’s doubles and all the women’s doubles were won by Tarleton to take them within 1 game of a guaranteed league point. 

Formby Methodist made a comeback by winning 1st, 3rd and 4th in the cross over mixed, however, the match finished with an exciting climax when Tarleton’s 2^nd mixed pair won the first game 21-10 but the second game was a different story with Brett Bienas and Karen Tate taking the second for Formby Methodist to tie the match at 12-12. The final result was a winning draw for Formby Methodist by 452 points to 444 points.

Players are reminded if they wish to enter the C tournament - their entries need to be sent to Daniel Wright (daniel.wright@kpmg.co.uk) by February 12th 2010. This tournament will be run over the weekend of February 27th and 28th. In each event you are guaranteed three matches. The entry fee for this tournament is £10 per event or three events for £20. The entry fee includes all shuttles and prizes for the winners and runners up.

The second half of the season will see a new format for league games.  This amended format now means that a league match will consist of 8 events: 4 mixed doubles and 4 level doubles: with each event the best of three games.  Further information and revised score sheets will be sent to all clubs in due course. In the meantime should any guidance be required then the League Match Chairman, whose details are in the Handbook, should be contacted.

Please remember this is your column and if you have any suggestions and views regarding the Southport League, would like any information about your club or what you would like to be included in this column you are able to contact me via badminton@simondart.co.uk or Tel 07790348466. 

League News, A Tournament Report & Round 7 Report:
25th November 2009

The League’s Executive Committee, has as it promised, continued to monitor and assess the revised league match format which was introduced at the start of the season. To ensure that all clubs and therefore members of the league were also able to contribute their views on the new format, each club was invited to send a representative to a meeting with some of the League’s Executive Officers. This meeting took place last Tuesday (23^rd) and following the discussions that took place it was agreed to amend the existing format of  league matches to take effect in the second half of the season (from league week 10).

This amended format now means that a league match will consist of 8 events: 4 mixed doubles and 4 level doubles: with each event the best of three games.

Any league matches remaining TBA from the first half of the season (league week 1 to 9 inclusive), must be played using the existing format. Such matches include the crossover mixed doubles, comprise of 12 events with each event playing 2 games only.

Further information and revised score sheets will be sent to all clubs in due course. In the meantime should any guidance be required then the League Match Chairman, whose details are in the Handbook, should be contacted.

The Garryowen Ltd Southport and District League’s A tournament was played at Greenbank High School over last weekend and saw the league’s best players compete in the only open tournament of the year.

The men’s singles got things underway. At 20, the number of entries was the highest for some years and some excellent, hard fought matches were played out before the five seeded players took their places in the knockout stages after a couple of scares.

Michael Johnston beat Joe Steele in three close games in a play-off before bowing out to Scott Sankey in the semi finals. In the other half of the draw Paul Maguire beat Dan Finn, also in three tight games before defeating Scott in the final to take the title.

The women’s doubles was once again won by Caroline Clucas and Caroline Walker, for the third year in succession.

The men’s doubles also resulted in some tight groups with three pairs each winning two matches in one group. Joe Steele and Matt Green went through to the semi finals, courtesy of having a higher games difference, where they defeated Rik Wallbank and Gareth Perrins. In the final they met the holders Dan Finn and Anthony Pratt who proved too strong and retained their title.

On Sunday the mixed doubles took place and saw a number of close, three game matches throughout the day. Eventually, the top group was made up of Joe Steele and Sharon Taylor, Michael Johnston and Belinda Miller and Paul Maguire and Emily Miller. After three close matches Paul and Emily came out on top, defeating silver medallists Joe and Sharon 21-19, 21-19, to take the title.

The spotlight was on Division 4 of the Garryowen Ltd Southport and District League last week when Formby Methodist 1 entertained Tarleton 2 in what proved to be yet another closely contested match. 1st, 2nd and 3rd mixed doubles were all halved but the Tarleton pairing of Sue McMillan and Albert Sumner at 4^th mixed were able to give Tarleton a slight advantage by winning both games 21-13, 21-13 to give them a 5 – 3 lead at this stage. 

Formby Methodists leveled the match score when Karl Price and Brett Bienas won 21-7, 21-12 at 1^st men’s doubles. 2nd men’s doubles and all the women’s doubles were won by Tarleton to take them within 1 game of a guaranteed league point. 

Formby Methodist made a come back by winning 1st, 3rd and 4th in the cross over mixed, however, the match finished with an exiting climax when Tarleton’s 2^nd mixed pair won the first game 21-10 but the second game was a different story with Brett Bienas and Karen Tate taking the second for Formby Methodist to tie the match at 12-12. The final result was a winning draw for Formby Methodist by 452 points to 444 points.

Please remember this is your column and if you have any suggestions and views regarding the Southport League, would like any information about your club or what you would like to be included in this column you are able to contact me via badminton@simondart.co.uk or Tel 07790348466. 

Runners up of the Mixed Doubles

Winners of the Mixed Doubles

2009/10 season round 6 report:
20th November 2009

Last week saw a division 8 match when Hoole, in their second season back in the Garryowen Ltd Southport and District Badminton League, entertain West End Park VII at Ormskirk Grammar School.  The first mixed doubles of the night began with the pairing of Ray Jones and Hayley Overmire giving the home side an early advantage  by winning quite comfortably 21/13, 21/12 against West End Park’s Wendy Woodbridge and Alex Jenkins.  This advantage was further extended when Hoole won second mixed 21-9,21-10. 

Third mixed was a close encounter with the West End Park pairing of Chloe Gearie and Graham Perry winning the first game 21-16.  However in the second game Matthew Marsh and Catherine Jones fought back to win and  give Hoole a 5 - 1 lead in the match. 

The 1st and 2nd men’s doubles were all won by Hoole as was 1st women’s doubles.  At 2^nd women’s the Hoole pair of Emma Hall and Rebecca Smith guaranteed Hoole at least a point  when they managed to turn around a narrow loss in their first game to win the second 21-11.

Hoole won 6 of the 8 cross over mixed games to give a final match score of 18 games to 6 in favour of the home side.

This weekend sees the next tournament of the season of the Garryowen Ltd Southport and District Badminton League with the A Tournament being held at Greenbank High School on Saturday 21st November and Sunday 22nd November.  Play on both days starts at 9:45am with the finals estimated to be 4:30pm.  If you would like to come down and watch you are more than welcome and refreshments are available on the day.

A Tournament Draw:
20th November 2009

“A” TOURNAMENT BEING HELD AT GREENBANK HIGH SCHOOL

DRAW

Saturday-21/11/09

9.45am-Joe Steele v John-Gareth Phillips, Liam Moore v Matt Tolman, Michael Johnston v Dan Wright, Lloyd Dean v Robbie McDonald

10.10am-Dan Finn v Paul Jackson, Jon Lunt v Neil Tolman, Paul Maguire v Oli Gyte, Jonathan Howell v Alex Byrne

10.35am-Scott Sankey v Chris Chu, Tom McGlynn v Anthony Pratt

12.45am-Emma Walmsley & Leah Singleton v Cathy Atfield & Sharon Taylor

1.25pm-Caroline Clucas & Caroline Walker v Loser 1

1.30pm-Dan Finn & Anthony Pratt v Rob Courtley & Si Tomlinson, Michael Johnston & Jon Lunt v Scott Sankey & Nigel Sankey, Rik Wallbank & Gareth Perrins v Dan Wright & Jonathan Howell, Matt Green & Joe Steele v Alex Byrne & John-Gareth Phillips, Chris Prentice & Paul Jackson v Neil Tolman & Matthew Tolman

FINALS FROM 4.30pm

Sunday-22/11/09

9.45am-Matt Green & Debbie Rigby v Jonathan Howell & Leah Singleton, Chris Chu & Hannah Buckingham v Joe Steele & Lyn Hosegood, Scott Sankey & Sharon Taylor v Jon Lunt & Janet Morton, Anthony Pratt & Cathy Atfield v James Abdous & Lizzie Balmforth

10.35am-Tom McGlynn & Michelle Davies v Loser 3, Paul Maguire & Emily Miller v Loser

Refreshments

Tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks will be available between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday and from 11am on Sunday.

2009/10 season round 5 report:
13th November 2009

So far this season the Garry Owen Southport and District Badminton League has seen some very closely contested and entertaining fixtures and none more so than the match between Mawdsley II and St Cuthberts .

1st mixed doubles saw a close encounter between Mawdesley’s Peter Crawshaw and Alison Stringfellow, and Ken Courtley and Anne Girdler from St Cuthberts with the away team winning the first game 21-18. In the second game the home pair fought back to win 21-19. 

2^nd  mixed doubles went the way of Mawdesley who ran out clear winners 21-16, 21-15. However, 3^rd  and 4^th  mixed did not produce an outright win for either team as both events were halved.

The father and son pairing of Ken and Rob Courtley brought St Cuthberts back into the match at 1^st  men’ s doubles winning 21-17, 21-17.  At 2^nd  men’s doubles  St Cuthberts   managed to gain a further advantage by taking both games.

The women’s doubles was a different story. The Mawdesley pairing of Joy Moon and Jenni Hulme managed to take both games 21-17, 21-13 in the first of these events.  The 2^nd women’s doubles also went the way of the home team.   There was still all to play for in the cross over mixed to determine the result of the match.

In the first of these events there was a closely fought encounter with Peter Crawshaw and Alison Stringfellow taking the first game 21-14.  In the second game the visitors through Simon Tomlinson and Alison Gray kept St Cuthberts in the match with a 21-17 win.  By taking the second crossover mixed Mawdesley were guaranteed at least one league point when Ian Povall and Joy Moon won 21-14, 21-19.

The third of the crossovers saw St Cuthberts come back into the match when Rob Courtley and Nicki Johnston won their first game 21-17.  However, they were unable to consolidate this recovery in the second game which Mawdesley won 21-16, giving a final match result of Mawdesley II 13   St Cuthberts  11

At its November meeting, the new format for league matches was one of the items discussed by the League Executive. The Executive was keen to monitor and review the first half of the season’s league matches using the revised format.  It was apparent to the Committee that there had been much discussion within the league. From these discussions  some constructive and valid comments had been mooted by both clubs and players.  As a result the Executive has decided to arrange a meeting with a representative from each Club as soon as possible to gauge their views on the current league match format.  Watch this space!

A final reminder to all players that if they wish to enter the A tournament - their entries need to be sent to Daniel Wright (daniel.wright@kpmg.co.uk) by November 13. This tournament will be run over the weekend of November 21-22. In each event you are guaranteed three matches. The entry fee for this tournament is £10 per event or three events for £20. The entry fee includes all shuttles and prizes for the winners and runners up.

Please remember this is your column and if you have any suggestions and views regarding the Southport League, would like any information about your club or what you would like to be included in this column you are able to contact me via badminton@simondart.co.uk or Tel 07790348466. 

Watkinson Trophy 1st round report:
6th November 2009

Last week saw the first round of the Watkinson Trophy.  This year the setting of the handicaps has been challenging following the introduction of the rally points scoring system in all competitions. However, the handicap committee seems in most instances to be getting a reasonable balance between the teams in the various ties.

A game that produced a close encounter was between Southsands 4 (Division 4) and the visitors Mawdesley 4 (Division 6).  Mawdesley were required to score an average of 16 points per game to win through to the next round. 

In the second event of the night between Frank Hart and Anita Pretty (Southsands) played Ken Brodie and Amanda Vernon.  This proved an entertaining and very close tussle with the home pair winning 25-22, 25-20.  This put pressure on Southsands as Mawdesley managed to get more than the necessary 32 points from the event.

The third and fourth events of the night were the same story with Southsands winning all of the games but Mawdesley winning sufficient points to maintain the points average per game required.  But in the 6^th event even more pressure was put on Southsands with 2^nd women’s doubles going the distance with a 25-24 win in the first game for Brenda Dawson and Collette Butterworth for the home side.  The second game saw the first major turning point for the away side  when Barbara Price and Sheila Roberts battled out a 25-23 victory which reduced the total number of points which Southsands could score overall.

Mawdesley gained confidence from winning a game and at 1^st womens doubles.  Amanda Vernon and Michelle Johnson (Mawdesley) won both games 25-20, 25-13 which as good as guaranteed progression to round 2 of the competition for their side.

The final event up of the night was 2nd mens doubles between Mike Gillow and Neil Griffith (Southsands) and Andrew Scott and Andrew Williams.  Both games went the way of Southsands 25-11, 25-8, but this win was too little to late for the home team.  Mawdesley 4 took the match and with it progression to the next round with a 419 to 381 points victory.

Players are reminded if they wish to enter the A tournament - their entries need to be sent to Daniel Wright (daniel.wright@kpmg.co.uk) by November 13. This tournament will be run over the weekend of November 21-22. In each event you are guaranteed three matches. The entry fee for this tournament is £10 per event or three events for £20. The entry fee includes all shuttles and prizes for the winners and runners up.

Please remember this is your column and if you have any suggestions and views regarding the Southport League, would like any information about your club or what you would like to be included in this column you are able to contact me via badminton@simondart.co.uk or Tel 07790348466. 

2009/10 season Round 4 report:
30th October 2009

The 4th round of league matches of the Garryowen Ltd Southport and District Badminton League, has thrown up some interesting results and in particular an infrequent result. This result occurred in a division 7 match when Southport VIII entertained Formby III at Southport College.

Formby took the early exchanges in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd mixed to take an early 6-0 lead.  But Southport staged a fight back by winning the 4th mixed and 1st and 2nd men’s doubles  which brought Southport back into the match at 6 games all.

Southport then edged ahead for the first time by winning 1st women's doubles with the home side’s  Susan Phillips and Elaine Davies beating Jackie Taylor and Pat King 21-10 21-18 to go 8-6 in front.  In the 2nd women’s doubles the away side got their team back into the match with Rachel Choong and Doreen Whalley beating the Southport pairing of Lynn Roughley and Rachel Softley 21-8 21-11.

At 8 games all, there was still all to play for in the cross over mixed.  Once again the home side was able to put their noses in front with a 21-18 21-16 win at the 1st mixed through Jason O'Mara and Susan Phillips.  At 2nd mixed Mike Choong and Jackie Taylor brought Formby back on level terms with 21-17 21-11 win. The match was now standing at 10 -10.

Paul Munro and Lynn Roughley guaranteed Southport some league points with a 21-11, 21-15 win at 3rd mixed.  Formby had no intention of letting the match slip away at this late stage with Rachel Choong and Paul Ray taking the final event of the night by overcoming Austin Thomas and Rachel Softley  21-12, 21-8.

The final match score was a draw at 12 games all. However, to determine who gets an extra league point, the points in all the games for each team is added up and the team with the greatest number points scored secures the extra point. On this occasion not only did the teams tie on 12 games each but both scored exactly 424 points in the 24 games played. So the match was tied, there was also a tie on points scored so each team received 1 league point for their efforts.   What an evening, what a match and what a result.

Players are reminded if they wish to enter the A tournament - their entries need to be sent to Daniel Wright (daniel.wright@kpmg.co.uk) by the 13th November 2009. This tournament will be run over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd November 2009.  In each event you are guaranteed three matches.  The entry fee for this tournament is £10 per event or three events for £20.  The entry fee includes all shuttles and prizes for the winners and runners up.

Please remember you are able to contact me at badminton@simondart.co.uk or Tel 07790348466 if you require any information included in this column or indeed wish to send me any pieces of news for inclusion in my report. All contributions greatly received.

2009/10 season Round 3 report & V & Jack Blockey tournament report:
27th October 2009

The first tournaments of this season are now part of league history, and plans are already under way for the next tournament which will be the A to be held over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd November 2009 .

The Southport and District Badminton League held its first tournaments of the year last weekend at Greenbank High School. 

Saturday saw the Veterans’ mens singles and doubles take place. The singles was contested by five players, each playing each other. The event saw some fantastic games with the title coming down to the final game of the group between Nathan Freear and Steve Rees. The match was closely contested with Nathan eventually taking it 23-21 in the deciding game.

The doubles event was equally as close, with each of the three pairs winning one match each before Manzoor Ahmed and Steve Rees came out on top by just three points from Frank Hart and Claudio Equizi.

Sunday was turn of the Jack Blockley Under 21 Mixed Doubles Tournament and the Veteran mixed. The Jack Blockley saw 12 pairs take part in four groups of three, moving into three groups of four to give ranking of 1-12. The tournament saw plenty of close games with three pairs tying at the top, each winning two games in the final group. 12 year old Max Noble and partner Rebecca Mayers of Woodvale came out on top by just three points from Andrew Cardus and Danya Lewis (also Woodvale).

The final event of the weekend saw scratch pairing of Chris Noble and Pam Higgins take on the first division pair of Alan Parkinson and Joanne Richardson. After a close match Alan and Joanne claimed the title with a 21-18, 21-17 vistory.

The 3rd round of league matches saw a Division 6 tie between the two newly promoted teams of Woodvale 7 and Woodvale 8.  Both teams fielded a good mix of young and not so young players which gave a good and entertaining night of badminton.

The night started with the level doubles with all the early games going to Woodvale 7.  But at first women’s doubles the young pairing of Steph Butterworth and Lauren Eyes (Woodvale 8) took on the experienced Janet Hart and Sharon Breeze (Woodvale 7).  Woodvale 8  took their first game of the night by winning the first game 21-17 but in the second game they were unable to capitalize and Janet Hart and Sharon Breeze took the second game 21-14.

4th mixed saw a very close game between Sam Clucas and Doreen Sinclair (Woodvale 7) against Lauren Eyes and Jordan Woolley (Woodvale 8),  the Woodvale 7 pairing took the early advantage in the first game with a 21-19 win  but in the second game Lauren and Jordan fought back with a 23-21 win.

The final score of the match was Woodvale VII  19 Woodvale VIII  5.

Players wishing to enter the A tournament - your entries need to be sent to Daniel Wright (Daniel.wright@kpmg.co.uk) by the 13th November 2009. This tournament will be run over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd November 2009.  In each event you are guaranteed three matches.  The entry fee for this tournament is £10 per event or three events for £20- the price for juniors is yet to be confirmed.  The entry fee includes all shuttles and prizes for the winners and runners up.

You are able to contact me at badminton@simondart.co.uk or Tel 07790348466 if you require any information included in this column.

2009/10 season Round 2 report & V & Jack Blockey preview:
27th September 2009

The first tournaments of the year are already upon us, with the Veterans and the Jack Blockley Mixed Doubles tournaments running over the weekend of the 17^th and 18^th October.  Spectators are more than welcome to attend Greenbank High School to watch the action over the two days starting at 10:00am each day.

The second week of the season saw Southport I entertain Victoria Hall I, which gives a early chance for last seasons 2^nd and 3^rd placed teams to try and gain an early advantage in what could well be a closely contested division. 

1^st mixed was a close game between Nick Hodgson and Lizzie Balmforth (Southport) and Caroline Clucas and Simon Bentzen (Victoria Hall), with Southport winning the 1^st game 21-17.  In the 2^nd game Victoria Hall’s pair got themselves back into the match with a 22-20 win.  At second mixed it was a similar story with Andy Pickles and Debbie Balmforth (Southport) and Gillian Sowden and Neil Tolman (Victoria Hall) sharing the games at 21-17 and 14-21. 

The 3^rd mixed was a one sided affair with Victoria Hall’s pairing of Caroline Walker and Alan Dunn winning both games 21-14, 21-1 to give Victoria Hall an early 4-2 advantage.

The 4^th mixed Southport pairing of Alex Byrne and Wendy Grime managed to take Southport back to level terms with a 21-14, 21-15 victory, keeping Southport in with a chance of points from the match.

At 1^st mens doubles Southport went ahead with the pairing of Nick Hodgson and Andy Pickles winning both games 21-18, 21-18. 

With the cross over mixed to be played the match was evenly balanced at 9-7 to Victoria Hall.  This made these important to the overall result with all to play for.  The 1^st cross over mixed was shared in a close game (9-21, 21-12).  But Victoria Hall sealed all 3 points by winning 5 of the next 6 games.  Final score Southport I 9  Victoria Hall I 15.

Could I take this opportunity to remind all team captains that the score sheets for league matches must be with Ronnie Simm within 5 days of the match being completed.  From the League  a thank you to all secretaries for providing promptly a list of your registered players.  There is also a limited supply of league handbooks available from Ken Hughes (Tel 01704 211308).  A final point is to try and avoid matches over running the allotted times could all teams please try and begin all matches on the specified start times.

Joe Steele is running badminton sessions at the YMCA (Houghton St, Southport).  If you are able to attend the sessions they are being held every Tuesday from 4pm to 6pm.  The cost for the 2 hours is £3.50 which includes shuttles.  This is open to players of all standards or anyone wishing to take up the sport.

All clubs will by now have experienced the new format of league matches. If you would like to comment on what your early impressions are of the rally points scoring and playing the extra mixed games, please send them to badminton@simondart.co.uk.  After playing just one match with the new format and rally points scoring I personally found the night more enjoyable and felt that play flowed better with less sitting around waiting to go onto court to play.

You are able to contact me at badminton@simondart.co.uk or Tel 07790348466 if you require any information included in this column.

“V” TOURNAMENT AND JACK BLOCKLEY TOURNAMENT BEING HELD AT GREENBANK HIGH SCHOOL

DRAW AND START TIMES

Saturday-17/10/09

9.45am-Frank Hart v Paul Jackson, Nigel Sankey v Steve Rees

10.30am-Nathan Freear v Frank Hart

1.30pm-Frank Hart & Claudio Equizi v Jeff Grisedale & Mark Waggett,

Malcolm Banham  & Mike Turner v Manzoor Ahmed & Steve Rees

Sunday-18/10/09

9.45am-Michael Johnston & Emily Miller v Sam Steele & Rachel Fenelon,

Tom Flanagan & Hannah Buckingham v Rob Courtley & Jenny Girdler,

Sam Clucas & Rebecca Mayers v Peter Athans & Ellie Rees,

Andrew Cardus & Danya Lewis v Simon Tomlinson & Helen Groves

10.15am-Lloyd Dean & Lizzie Jolly v Loser 1, Joel Jackson & Pippa Courtley v Loser 2, Jonathan Foster & Naomi Baldwin v Loser 3, Matthew Birrell & Rona Foot v Loser 4

11.15am-Martin Fearn & Anne Girdler v Jeff Grisedale & Linda Eccleston,

Richard Williams & Valerie Bray v Malcolm Banham & Julie Banham,

Dave Sutton & Wang-Joo Allan v Alan Parkinson & Joanne Richardson,

Tony Woolley & Alison Hall v Ken Hughes & Pam Higgins

With the exception of the Veteran’s mixed doubles event, all the other events will be played in groups and the winner(s) decided on the group results.

It is anticipated that play will end at approximately 3pm on the Saturday and on the Sunday between 4pm and 5pm which will include the playing of the final of the Veteran’s mixed doubles.

2009/10 season Round 1 & Cups prelim round report:
25th September 2009

The first couple of weeks of the season have already passed with the preliminaries for all cup competitions and the first week of league matches. We all seem to be quickly getting to grips with the rally points scoring system as I have seen very few problems in the matches I have viewed.

Round 1 of the St Simons and St Judes cup had last year’s winners, Woodvale 6, visit Churchtown 4.  This was a hard fought match with the first games going to Woodvale quickly giving them a 4-0 lead.  Claudio Equizi and Matt Birrell started the fight back for Churchtown by beating the pairing of Andy Wood and Gavin Dixon 21-12, 21-12. The 5^th event of the evening saw Woodvale 6 seal victory with Annette Bibby and Emma Karsten taking a 21-11, 21-16 victory over Kath Weymouth and Rachel Fenelon.  The final score of the match was Churchtown IV 3 Woodvale VI 5.  This victory gives Woodvale VI a home tie against Tarleton 3 in the next round.

St Cuthberts Parochial Hall was the venue for a Division 2 match between St Cuthberts 1 and Burscough 1 with the latter aiming to gain promotion back into the first division after being relegated at the end of the 2008/09 season. This was one of the first league matches to take place under the new format.  The first event of the night was 3^rd mixed doubles between Ian Pattison and Lesley Slater (St Cuthberts) and Phil Wall and Sandra Wain (Burscough).This proved to be a very even battle with both games very closely balanced.  The end of the first game saw Burscough take an early lead with a 21-19 win with St Cuthberts coming back into the match by taking the second game 21-18.

Burscough extended their lead by winning both 1^st and 2^nd mixed doubles in very close games.  Burscough managed to seal all 3 points  by halving  second women's doubles between Ann Girdler and Lesley Slater (St Cuthberts) and Marie Melling and Marie Lyon (Burscough) 21-14 and 15-21.  The final match score was St Cuthberts 5 Burscough 19. 

West End park 1 started the defence of the division 1 title at home to Mawdesley 1.

1st mixed was Dan Finn and Hayley Harrison(West End Park) vs Paul and  Lynn Jackson, with West End Park winning 21-15, 21-14.  The dominance of West End Park continued with the winning all 4 of the mixed doubles.  After a short break 1st mens doubles Dann Finn and  Anthony Pratt vs Paul Jackson and Chris Prentice which went to West End Park 21-10 & 21-19.  2nd ladies Hayley Harrison and Holly Richards (West End Park) vs Joanne Richardson and  Jayne Mcvey(Mawdesley)  first game went to West End Park 21-15, the second game was won by the Mawdesley pair 16-21.

The 3rd crossover mixed was Derek Neary & Sue Wilkie vs Johnny Bradley and Jayne Mcvey which went to west End Park 21-16 & 21-11.  The final score of the game was West End Park 21 Mawdsley 3.

All clubs will by now have experienced the new format of league matches. If you would like to comment on what your early impressions are of the rally points scoring and playing the extra mixed games, please send them to badminton@simondart.co.uk.  After playing just one match with the new format and rally points scoring I personally found the night more enjoyable and felt that play flowed better with less sitting around waiting to go onto court to play.

You are able to contact me at badminton@simondart.co.uk or Tel 07790348466 if you require any information included in this column.

2009/10 season preview:
16th September 2009

The first week of the new season is now upon us with the 1^st round of the cup competitions which include all teams from division 1 to division 8.  This tournament is run on rally points scoring which is the same format as the last few seasons. 

Divisions 1 to 7 cup competitions will be run on a straight knock out format, whereas division 8 will be split into 2 groups on a round robin with the top teams progressing to the finals.  Which will give us some entertaining matches and an early opportunity to gage the strengths (or weaknesses) of your rivals is. 

The 1^st round of the Hudson Cup has drawn last season’s winners Victoria Hall 1 drawn against Victoria Hall 2 which will guarantee to be a hard fought encounter which always comes with games between the same club.

In the 5^th division St Simons and St Judes cup last years winners Woodvale 6 start their defence against Churchtown 4.  The Inflight Cup for division 8 teams gives the newly formed Woodvale 9 a early start to their season.

Eligible players for the Jack Blockley (under 21 mixed Doubles) and the Veterans Tournament (over 40’s) your entries need to be sent to Daniel Wright (Daniel.wright@kpmg.co.uk) by the 2^nd October 2009.  The format for both of these tournaments will be run over the weekend of the 17^th (men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles) and 18^th October 2009 (mixed doubles and Jack Blockley).  In each event your are guaranteed 3 matches.  This years entry fees for these tournaments is £10 per event or 3 events for £20 price for juniors is to be confirmed.  The entry fee will include all shuttles used.  And prizes for the winners, runners up and Semi finalists.

There are also a couple of amendments to your league handbooks.  The address for the general secretary for Mawdesley is Mrs J Richardson, 21 Drapers Ave Eccleston PR7 5SY.  And West End Park no longer use St Johns Parish Hall and now use Southport Technical College, Mornington Rd on a Friday night.  The match secretary for West End Park email address is judith@judith18.orangehome.co.uk.

I would also ask for any contributions to this weekly column to be sent to badminton@simondart.co.uk, without your assistance I am unable to keep up the level of reporting and coverage that the Southport and district league requires to be a success.

New scoring systems explained:
16th September 2009

Scoring System

A game consists of 21 points.

In all LEAGUE and CUP matches at 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game. (extended game).

If the scores reaches 29 all, then then side scoring the 30th point, wins that game.

For WATKINSON TROPHY events a game consists of 25 points and there is NO EXTENDED GAME i.e. a game can be won 25/24.

For SHIELD matches a game consists of 30 points and there is NO EXTENDED GAME i.e. a game can be won 30/29.

In all matches, the side winning a rally adds a point to its score.

The side winning a game serves first in the next game. This does NOT APPLY to SHIELD matches as each event consists of one game only.

Change of Ends

When a third game is played in a Cup event, players change ends when a side has scored 11 points.

Serving, Receiving and Determination of Service Courts

There is only one serve in doubles on each occasion a side has the right to serve.

When a serving side loses the serve the next time the service comes back the player who did not serve on the last occasion becomes the new server.

Service is from the right hand court at the beginning of the game and when the serving's side score is even, and from the left hand court when the serving's side score is odd.

If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server serves again from the alternate service court. A player will continue to serve until his side loses a rally.

If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side becomes the new serving side and the player in the appropriate court for the score (even-right; odd-left) of the new serving side will serve.

The player of the new receiving side who served last stays in the same service court from where he served last. The reverse pattern applies to the receiver's partner.

Players do not change their respective service courts until they WIN A POINT WHEN THEIR SIDE IS SERVING.

If players commit an error in the service court, the error is corrected when the mistake is discovered but the score remains unaltered.

End of Season Review:
25th April 2009

Division 1 - In what has become a really tight battle for this years Championship Shield, West End Park prevailed as champions despite having to concede two matches late on in the season. Defending champions Victoria Hall missed by one point, whereas Southport were a further two points behind. Churchtown were also not that far from the leaders as they finished six points behind. However, the race for survival finished a lot earlier. After surviving last year Burscough finish dead last with two points. Churchtown also got relegated and ended two points away from safety occupied by Woodvale II.

Division 2 - After being relegated last year Southport II return to Division 1 after winning the Blakeman Trophy ending with a 100% record. Mawdesley get the second promotion spot by 13 points from West End Park II after missing out last year. Woodvale IV go from promotion from Division 3 last year to relegation from Division 2 this year by finishing with four points. Burscough II miss out on survival by five points from Tarleton.

Division 3 - Mawdesley II jump straight back to Division 2 by winning the Wilf Kim Shield and finished with a 100% record. Churchtown got a the second promotion spot by four points from Pioneers. Despite missing out on promotion last year, West End Park III and Hesketh Bank get relegated to Division 4.

Division 4 - Southsands III win the Blowick Shield in a tight finish. Southsands III secured top spot by a game difference of two from St. Cuthberts II who go straight back to Division 3 after relegation last season. Tarleton II did better then last season but one place but still just missed out on promotion by two points. Pioneers II only got four points and finished bottom after surviving last season. And finally, West End Park IV last seasons Division 5 champions go back down.

Division 5 - This division created two unique records. Mawdesley III win the Rigby Shield and became the only team in the league to record successive promotions and league titles. Formby Methodist secure the second promotion spot by one point from Tarleton III. St. Cuthberts IV become the only team in the league to record successive relegations. However it was Victoria Hall V that had a worse season by finishing last with one point.

Division 6 - In what was a very tight division Ormskirk II prevailed as winners of the St. Cuthberts Shield. Southsands VII secure second spot by three points from Tarleton IV. For Mawdesley IV and Southsands VIII it was straight up straight down despite having the highest points score for relegated teams.

Division 7 - In what is a rare sight two teams from the same club go up from the same division. Woodvale VII go straight back up to Division 6 by winning the Churchtown B.C. Shield by eleven points from Woodvale VIII who secure back-to-back promotions. Southsands IX got relegated and missed out survival by four points from West End Park VI. Formby Methodist III finished as the worst team in the league as they finished the only team with no points.

Division 8 - Despite the bottom division only consisting of six teams it was a really tight battle. In a battle between three teams, Southport VIII who prevailed as champions of the St. Simon's and St. Jude's/West End Park Shield. Southsands ended as runners-up, one point behind the leaders. A further two points behind and missing out on promotion was the returning Hoole who had a very impressive comeback season. Southsands XI unfortunately ended with no points.

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