In Division 1 of the North East Wales Badminton League, Buckley based Eros gave due warning to other teams that they are moving ever closer to the top with an 8 – 0 routing away to Mold B. At fourth mixed, James Spendlove and Louise Nesbitt came closest to taking an event for Mold, when they fought hard over three games before conceding 21/17, 20/22 and 12/21 to the accomplished pairing of Jim Williams and Sheila Palmer.
Down in the relegation zone Rossett A and Deeside clashed, but neither team took the opportunity to rise up the league, with a 4 – 4 draw resulting in sharing of the points. At first ladies the home team pairing of Sue Lord and Nicola Smith gave a vintage display of doubles tactics when they played with speed and powerful hitting, to completely overwhelm Laura Parry and Jill Povey to take the event by a clear 21/7 and 21/4.
Division 2 saw Buckley bounce back from their recent heavy 8 – 0 loss to Phoenix, and travelling to Llanferres B they came away with a well earned 6 – 2 win. At first men’s the Llanferres veteran pairing of Dave Clough and Duncan Church found the going a bit too tough and up against the inspired badminton of Nathan Barron and player of the match Rob Bishop, lost their match by a close 20/22 and 18/21.
Llanferres B then went on to visit Hawarden and in a battling team performance came away with a deserved 5 -3 win. Hawarden’s fourth mixed pairing of Michael Roberts and Jayne Price were in scintillating form and giving a disciplined performance, eventually took the three game match against Bob Garnett and Moira Bonar by 22/20, 14/21 and 21/18.
In their home fixture, Rossett B lost out 6 – 2 to a resurgent Llangollen. At first mixed, player of the match for Llangollen, the dynamic Nik Evans, partnered by Jane Jones, celebrated a comprehensive 21/18, 21/7 win over Matt Jones and Jane Liddle; with the home pair unable to deal with the powerful smashing and tight net play handed out by the visitors.
Whilst Division 3 leaders Holywell A routed Llanferres D 8 – 0 the score did not truly reflect some greatly fought matches during the evening. Holywell’s David Booth and Iain Jones, at first men’s, were involved in a thrilling three game encounter with Luc Seago and rising star Matthew Swash with the home pair holding their nerve to clinch the match by 15/21, 21/8 and 24/22. Phew!
Challenge Cup 2nd Round Draw
To be played in week commencing Monday 9 January 2020.
Hawarden A (Scr) v Mold A (-1)
Flint A (-10) v Hawarden B (+4)
Buckley A (Scr) v Llanferres B (-1)
Flint B (Scr) v Mold B (+2)
Buckley B (+7) v Deeside (-6)
Prestatyn A (+2) v Denbigh A (-9)
Llangollen (+3) v Llanferres A (-7)
EROS (-1) v Holywell A (+3)