See under Tournaments, Veterans for the tournament report.  Thanks go to Mike West for running and staging the tournament and to Kevin Foss for his input to the handicapping.

Please look under “Tournaments”, “Veterans” to read the full report on this extremely exciting tournament.

Please check under “Tournaments”, “Mallett Cup” for details.

Over 55s and Over 60s

Last weekend, the IW.Badminton  Association over 55’s and over 60’s entertained their counterparts from Avon at West Wight Sports Centre.

On Saturday both sides lost to Avon’s first sides. The Over 60’s were defeated 8-4 despite the efforts of Eddiw Walder and Laurie Scott winning Both men’s doubles, and Laurie making it a hat trick with Christine Smith in the Mixed doubles.  The Over 55’s lost 12-0 to an Avon side always assured of winning the division.

On Sunday against Avon 2, the matches were more competitive, and the over 55’s secured a victory to move off the bottom of their league against an Avon side strengthened by the inclusion of 2 members of their first team.  In their opening match Colin Nigh and Mike West won their mixed doubles but victory was assured by John Herbert winning two matches. The final score was 6-6, and 14 sets all, but the Island side was victorious by winning on points scored.

The over 60’s were also involved in a 6-6 draw and again points were needed to decide the winner but unfortunately Avon won by just 13 points. Laurie Scott and Eddie Walder won both their Mens Doubles and Christine Smith and Sue Oldershaw won both their ladies doubles, making the match 4 all going into the mixed doubles.   Although Eddie & Sue Walder won their mixed, as did Melvyn Price & Sue Oldershaw, Avon won the final mixed to take the match by a really narrow margin.

The next Senior County match of the season is scheduled for Sunday March 29th at the Westlands Sports Centre in Yeovil.  The Island will be playing Somerset, who were beaten by us in the home leg in the latter stages of 2008.  We are therefore looking to field a strong side to enable the team to move up the league. 

Prior to this match, on the preceding Sunday, the Coaching Manager Eddie Walder and his team will be holding the last County Training Session before the close of the season.  More training sesions will be arranged for those who are likely to be selected for the Island Games in Aaland in June/July.  All squad members and other invitees are expected to attend – nobody is quite perfect yet!