Saturday 31 December 2011

JUNIOR BADMINTON

FOLLOWING a resounding away win over a weakened Avon County, in November, the Cornwall Youth Badminton Under-13 Team, sponsored by Dairy Crest Davidstow, producers of Cornish Cathedral City Cheese, came back down to earth, when they entertained Devon - going down by 24 rubbers to 12, in the South West Counties Junior Badminton League Fixture.

In an absorbing encounter, played at Truro School, on December 18, the experience of the Visiting Outfit shone through, with the Devon cream seen to rise to the top, writes John Tresidder, with Kerry Sillifant.

The Visitors’ selected a very strong contingent of Boys, especially but their Cornish opponents went down, pluckily, in all the six rubbers. Truro’s Tim Wyatt, went the closest, before losing, 22-20, 15-21, 23-21.

The Host’s Girls fared much better, harvesting 4/6 singles rubbers, with their Polly Morris and Flossie Cameron-Webb, both securing victories in a deciding third end of play.

Therefore, Devon led 8-4, following the opening singles events, which are always seen to be of a paramount importance, psychologically.

The Boys’ Doubles rubbers saw the Tyler Sillifant/Ollie Cavil partnership winning the Duchy’s sole match - against the Devon number thee pair, with Devon securing five rubbers out of six and remaining dominant throughout.

However, the Danny Alford/Charlie Newman partnership were seen to go to three exciting games against the Visitors No, 3 team, before going down, narrowly, 21-19, 18-21, 21-18.

Duchy Girls fared better:

In the Girls’ Doubles, Kernow fared much better, winning 6/9 rubbers, with strong performances from the Beth Rutter/Sarah Frost and Polly Morrris/Cara Thompson combinations, with Amy Polglase and Flossie Cameron-Webb, taking all of their matches in two straight ends of play.

The Mixed Doubles Events, which acted as the culmination, saw the Devon Boys’ strength and experience coming to the fore, once more, to help win five events, with the Duchy’s Tyler Sillifant and Amy Polglase picking up the number one mixed in three games.

Congratulations are due to Sam Tucker, who gained his first Cornwall County cap.

Finally, the Cornwall Under-13’s hope to return to winning ways, when they take on Somerset, at Truro School, on Sunday, January 29, starting at 12.00 noon.

Team co-captains: Tyler Sillifant and Amy Polglase.

Team co-managers: Kerry Sillifant and John Polglase.

Amy and Kellen, aged 12 and 13, respectively, making debut appearances in Under-21 Badminton Champs:

MEANWHILE, the Cornwall Under-21 Badminton Championships, 2011/2012, are being staged at the Tregorrick Parc, St. Austell Rugby Club Sports Hall - tomorrow (Monday, January 2).

Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, five disciplines, in total, are on the full programme-of-play, which gets underway at 9.00 am, with supporters and spectators being most welcome, as usual.

Johanna Philp, aged 18, a Midwifery student at Truro College and Ross Lashbrook - who turn out for the Cornwall Chiefs - will be defending their blue ribband singles titles.

Camborne Science College badminton stars, Amy Polglase and Kellen Moore, aged 12 and 13, respectively, coached by Clif Morcom (Redruth), are both making debut appearances in the Championships.

After playing their beloved sport for two years, only, this U-21 Event will prove invaluable in the Girls' remarkable development, including for Miss Polglase installed recently, as the BADMINTON England No 8, in Girls' Under-13 Singles.

DEVON CREAM RISES TO THE TOP - OVER CORNISH NEIGHBOURS

FOLLOWING a resounding away win over a weakened Avon County, in November, the Cornwall Youth Badminton Under-13 Team, sponsored by Dairy Crest Davidstow, producers of Cornish Cathedral City Cheese, came back down to earth, when they entertained Devon - going down by 24 rubbers to 12, in the South West Counties Junior Badminton League Fixture.

In an absorbing encounter, played at Truro School, on December 18, the experience of the Visiting Outfit shone through, with the Devon cream seen to rise to the top, writes John Tresidder, with Kerry Sillifant.

The Visitors’ selected a very strong contingent of Boys, especially but their Cornish opponents went down, pluckily, in all the six rubbers. Truro’s Tim Wyatt, went the closest, before losing, 22-20, 15-21, 23-21.

The Host’s Girls fared much better, harvesting 4/6 singles rubbers, with their Polly Morris and Flossie Cameron-Webb, both securing victories in a deciding third end of play.

Therefore, Devon led 8-4, following the opening singles events, which are always seen to be of a paramount importance, psychologically.

The Boys’ Doubles rubbers saw the Tyler Sillifant/Ollie Cavil partnership winning the Duchy’s sole match - against the Devon number thee pair, with Devon securing five rubbers out of six and remaining dominant throughout.

However, the Danny Alford/Charlie Newman partnership were seen to go to three exciting games against the Visitors No, 3 team, before going down, narrowly, 21-19, 18-21, 21-18.

Duchy Girls fared better:

In the Girls’ Doubles, Kernow fared much better, winning 6/9 rubbers, with strong performances from the Beth Rutter/Sarah Frost and Polly Morrris/Cara Thompson combinations, with Amy Polglase and Flossie Cameron-Webb, taking all of their matches in two straight ends of play.

The Mixed Doubles Events, which acted as the culmination, saw the Devon Boys’ strength and experience coming to the fore, once more, to help win five events, with the Duchy’s Tyler Sillifant and Amy Polglase picking up the number one mixed in three games.

Congratulations are due to Sam Tucker, who gained his first Cornwall County cap.

Finally, the Cornwall Under-13’s hope to return to winning ways, when they take on Somerset, at Truro School, on Sunday, January 29, starting at 12.00 noon.

Team co-captains: Tyler Sillifant and Amy Polglase.

Team co-managers: Kerry Sillifant and John Polglase.

Amy and Kellen, aged 12 and 13, respectively, making debut appearances in Under-21 Badminton Champs:

MEANWHILE, the Cornwall Under-21 Badminton Championships, 2011/2012, are being staged at the Tregorrick Parc, St. Austell Rugby Club Sports Hall - tomorrow (Monday, January 2).

Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, five disciplines, in total, are on the full programme-of-play, which gets underway at 9.00 am, with supporters and spectators being most welcome, as usual.

Johanna Philp, aged 18, a Midwifery student at Truro College and Ross Lashbrook - who turn out for the Cornwall Chiefs - will be defending their blue ribband singles titles.

Camborne Science College badminton stars, Amy Polglase and Kellen Moore, aged 12 and 13, respectively, coached by Clif Morcom (Redruth), are both making debut appearances in the Championships.

After playing their beloved sport for two years, only, this U-21 Event will prove invaluable in the Girls' remarkable development, including for Miss Polglase installed recently, as the BADMINTON England No 8, in Girls' Under-13 Singles.

Monday 19 December 2011

GREAT WIN FOR CORNWALL

Cornwall’s best badminton players took on Berkshire, who had made the long journey west, sitting at the top of the Division 3 league last Sunday.

This proved a tense, exciting clash of two talented sides battling for supremacy at the halfway stage of the season which kept the crowd enthralled throughout the afternoon.

Cornwall made a dominant start in the singles to make it 3-1, after Shane Maton, James Whetter and Jo Philp played superbly to see off their opponents, and Bronwen Wotton just losing to a mobile, tricky Berks player.

The Cornish men kept the winning theme going as the established pair of James and Guy Michell powered their way to 2 victories, and Tom Lyle and Ross Lashbrook winning one of their games in fine style before succumbing unluckily to the first mens pair.

The Duchy’s ladies were up against it, as Berkshire took 3 of the 4 games, although Jo and Emily James did extremely well to beat the first pair in 3 very close ends, and Bronwen and Vicki Thomas came agonisingly close to winning against the 2nd pair, in a nail-biting 3 ender.

So with the match score at 7-5, Cornwall needed just the one mixed doubles for victory. The watching crowd became more and more tense as Berkshire took 2 of the games to tie the score, and it came down to Cornwall’s top mixed pair, James and Jo to win for the team. This they did, of course, in 3 ends much to everyone’s relief and gratitude – a great win for Cornwall 8-7.

This outcome makes the teams tied on top of the Division going into the Christmas break, and makes the second half of the season a mouth-watering prospect.

Team – Shane Maton, James Whetter, Guy Michell, Tom Lyle, Ross Lashbrook, Jo Philp, Bronwen Wotton, Emily James, Vicki Thomas.

Thursday 8 December 2011

BADMINTON BACK IN FOCUS FOR CORNWALL’S COURTS



A BADMINTON England Initiative, underway and a local rallying call, of support, from Emma Austin, the Regional Badminton Officer for Cornwall & West Devon:

A QUESTION … What do 4.4 million adults across England meet up to do each year to keep fit, healthy, active all while putting a smile on their face, writes Emma Austin.

The Olympic sport of badminton of course!

For some, playing badminton may still conjure up nostalgic thoughts of playing at school in a cold sports hall or played with the family in the back garden, using the washing line as a make shift net.

Badminton may well be still considered that low cost, traditional garden sport that anyone can swing a racket for enjoyment in, but it is a little known fact that more people in England now play badminton than cricket, hockey, rugby union and rugby league put together!

Move up the competitive ladder and it’s also the fastest racket sport on the planet with the shuttlecock flying around at over 420 km – that’s faster than an F1 car!

It is little wonder that, each week, well over 1/2-million adults head onto the 23,000 plus badminton courts across England - be they in leisure centres, sports venues, schools or community halls - to put their racket skills on show.

With such an impressive stat, it is easy to see why badminton is the 6th most popular and frequently played sport in the country - and is no surprise that there is an active badminton club scene in every county.

Within Cornwall alone, there are a host of fantastic badminton clubs, thriving at both senior and junior levels, which open their doors wide to welcome new players of any age or on court ability.

Yet the numbers of people playing in clubs both for fun and competition across the county do not stack up to the national statistics. For every one club in Cornwall there are five in Devon and it’s starting to have an impact on how the county competes at a local level.

Despite, a hugely sociable affiliated club network and an army of local volunteers offering coaching opportunities, there are fewer players taking part in regular, organised badminton in Cornwall www.cornwallbadminton.co.uk and some clubs are even finding it hard to fulfil local East and West Cornwall League commitments, with female club members a particular issue of concern.

For badminton to grow across the county, attracting new adults onto Cornwall’s low cost courts in organised badminton activity is a priority – and BADMINTON England, the sport’s governing body www.badmintonengland.co.uk are committed to heading up the charge, led locally by Emma Austin, the county’s regional officer.

Speaking of her priorities in supporting Cornwall Badminton,
back on the badminton map, Ms. Austin, who also looks after activity in West Devon, said: “Securing a successful future within Cornwall needs the competitive badminton infrastructure to be supported, for all ability levels.”

Recreational players, who enjoy regular, social badminton with friends or work colleagues are the ideal candidates to join into local clubs and put their talents to the test in some team league badminton. The all new web portal at www.playbadminton.co.uk would be the perfect place to start.

Alternatively, current social groups with a regular player base, could affiliate as a club and enter the East and West Cornwall Leagues.

And for those not quite ready to step up and play competitively where points make prizes at the end of each season, there are now a host of extremely sociable court time initiatives springing up across Cornwall to get adults onto court.

Look out for No Strings Badminton, a national programme with over 260 venues and five major leisure chains involved, offering low cost pay and play sessions at times that actually suit busy lifestyles.

“With No Strings Badminton we’re taking away a lot of usual barriers when it comes to getting back involved in sport. There’s a guaranteed playing partner at every session in Cornwall so you are always assured of a game and you can just turn up, there’s no need to book,” continued Ms. Austin.

She then added: “With five leisure centres – in Helston, Newquay, Truro, Polkyth and Falmouth – all now courting No Strings Badminton sessions at various times and plenty of other sessions due to be announced in the New Year, the BADMINTON England Initiative, launched in February, 2011, is certainly taking off in Cornwall County.”

Details can be found by visiting the official website : www.nostringsbadminton.co.uk

Badminton is a fantastic sport for all – at whatever level, it is a game for life. So, why not give it a go in 2012 and see what all the fuss is about!

Emma Austin, Regional Badminton Officer – Cornwall & West Devon, emmaaustin@badmintonengland.co.uk


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Available No Strings Programmes, currently:
· Helston Sports Centre – Wednesdays 7.30-8.30pm
· Newquay Sports centre – Fridays 7-8pm and 8-9pm
· Truro Leisure Centre – Fridays 7-8pm and 8-9pm
· Polkyth Leisure Centre – Sundays 10-11am and 11-12noon
· Dracaena Centre, Falmouth – Sundays 10am-12noon

No Strings Programmes for the New Year, 2012:
· Falmouth School
· Fowey Community Leisure Centre
· Wadebride Leisure Centre
· Lux Park Leisure Centre, Liskeard
· Phoenix Leisure Centre, Launceston
· Budehaven Community Leisure Centre

JOHN TRESIDDER, the Cornwall Badminton Publicity Consultant, welcomed BADMINTON England’s Initiative, on-going, together with Emma Austin’s rallying call of support locally and added:

“I have taken part in a number of sports and was a county schools’ sprinter, but badminton, one of the World’s most popular participant sports, is the one that I love the most.

“We are an exhilarating sport, where athleticism, poise and balance is allied closely to fine touch and power. In addition, in a rubber of singles badminton, which goes to a deciding third game, a player travels farther, in a match, than in any other sport, apart from ice-hockey.

“I feel our great sport, comprising a game of aerial rallies, in effect - unlike tennis, table tennis and squash, all good sports, as well, who have the luxury of a bounce - has the potential to be very popular at club and league level.

“Indeed, I discovered, fairly early on, that a badminton club affords great camaraderie and where one can bid for selection to a representative team in the league, with organised pathways in to Cornwall Youth Badminton (CYB), as well as senior county and international level badminton. Inter-Club “Friendlies”, are also a consideration for those not so ambitious, when starting out.

“Do give us a try in 2012, the Olympic Year, when one can help run the XMAS pudding off!”

Emma Austin and John Tresidder.

Monday 5 December 2011

CORNWALL 1 V SOMERSET



Cornwall’s top badminton team maintained their winning ways, with an excellent home victory over the visiting Somerset team at Polkyth last Sunday (4th December), 11-4, gaining maximum points and moving them to second in the league behind the powerful Berkshire side, who they play next on 18th December.

All four Cornish singles players won, giving a fantastic 4-0 start to the match, 3 of the games going to the wire, with Shane Maton, Jo Philp and Bronwen Wotton being victorious in three close ends, and James Whetter taking his game comfortably in two.

James teamed up once again with Guy Michell to power their way through both mens doubles, equalled by the newer pairing of Shane and Ross Lashbrook Both pairs looked impressively invincible and the Somerset boys had no answer to the attacking badminton on display.

Cornwall’s ladies doubles players were up against some experienced Somerset girls, who proved too strong for Jo and Rachel Irish, although Bron and Vicki Thomas faired better by just taking an exciting 3 ender against the second Somerset pair, saving match points along the way to the delight of the partisan crowd. Bron and Vicki were unlucky not to push the first pair all the way in their other game.

The match score stood at 9-3 going into the mixed doubles – Cornwall having won the match but needing one more game to secure maximum points. All three games went to three ends to keep the watchers on edge, but James and Jo, and Guy and Rachel won through, and Ross and Bron were very unlucky to miss out on winning a fine close game.

Congratulations to Shane, James and Guy on their 100% performance, and well done to the whole team for a thrilling result. All spectators are welcome to the final game before Christmas, a potential top of the table clash with Berkshire at Polkyth on 18th December at 1pm.

Under 13's Cornwall v Avon


The jubilant Cornwall Youth Badminton Under-13 Team, sponsored by Dairy Crest Davidstow, after defeating Avon County, by 35 rubbers to 1.

Cornwalls Under 13 Badminton team made the long journey to Avon on Sunday 13th November for their first match of the season.

The team of 6 boys and 6 girls made a fantastic start taking all but one of the singles games, Avon put up a fight but the determination of the Cornish youngsters paid off and they went on to win the remainder of all the doubles and mixed doubles games to take a 35-1 victory.

Good performances from the Boys Captain Tyler Sillifant and the Girls Captain Amy Polglase who both won their matches in 2 ends not allowing the opposition into double figures
In the girls singles Cara Thompson held her nerve going into a third end which she then won comfortably 21-7

Avon were unable to field a full team of girls so they played 3 players from the girls under 15’s. Beth Sarah and Polly played these singles matches and won them a fantastic achievement. Beth went to 3 ends in her match and showed true determination and focus to emerge victorious after taking the final end 21-18.

Newcomers Flossie Cameron Webb and Charlie Newman were paired with Amy Polglase and Tyler Sillifant respectively for their level doubles games and the new partnerships proved successful as they won all of their doubles games in 2 ends

Danny Alford and Tim Wyatt both in their debuts for Cornwall Successfully won all of their doubles matches again in 2 ends.

There was a nail-biting 3 ender in the boys doubles between Cornwall’s number 3 pair and Avon’s number 1’s but the committed doubles play of Mark Pearson and Ollie Cavil saw them take the 2nd end 24-22 and then storm to victory in the 3rd end winning 21-10

Going into the mixed doubles Cornwall had already won the match but that didn’t stop the Cornish youngsters going out and taking all the mixed matches in two ends,

A Fantastic victory for the Cornish team and a great start to the season.

Boys team: Tyler Sillifant (capt), Charlie Newman, Tim Wyatt, Danny Alford, Ollie Cavil and Mark Pearson.
Girls Team: Amy Polglase (capt), Cara Thompson, Polly Morris, Flossie Cameron-Webb, Beth Rutter and Sarah Frost

Avon Boys: James Eastland, Thomas Watkins, Ian Dafilmoto, Paul Mc Crimmond, Patrick Foley, Susan Canagarason
Avon Girls: Lucy Gorham, Abi Kemp, Amea Feron, Ellie Lewis, Eleanor Beasley, Amy Wilson

U21 Closed Championships

The CCBA 2011/12 Under 21 County Championships will be held at Polkyth Leisure Centre, St Austell on Monday 2nd January 2012. Entry forms can be downloaded HERE , or from the download section to the right.

WALL U13 BADMINTON ENGLAND SILVER TOURNAMENT

Cornwall Youth Badminton hosted the Counties first National Graded Silver Junior Badminton Tournament at Penryn College on Saturday 3rd December.

The Event was run solely by the Counties U17 Squad players with the young players taking responsibility for the match scheduling, scoring and smooth running of the day.
Nearly 40 players travelling from as far as Worcester down through Dorset,Somerset, Devon and Cornwall arrived at the College for a 9am start. There were 71 entries into the four disciplines of Boys and Girls Singles and Doubles.

The Boys Singles started with some clinical play in the group stages by David Higbee (Dorset) and Cornwalls own Tyler Sillifant (Launceston).
The group winners won through to the semi finals but Tyler had to overcome a very talented Callum Cheung (Devon) in an epic quarter final match, winning a nail biting, exhausting match 17-15,12-15,15-12. This led to Tyler taking on David Higbee who won through to the final 15-6,15,10.
In the other half of the draw, Tom Reddaway (Somerset) defeated Lloyd Skinner (Devon) to take on Higbee in a great final. David Higbee ran out a worthy winner in 3 long ends 15-10, 14-16,15-6.
Medals were presented By Emma Austin Cornwall and West Devon Badminton England Regional Officer. GOLD-David Higbee, SILVER-Tom Reddaway, BRONZE Tyler Sillifant and Lloyd Skinner.

The Girls Doubles in Two boxes produced an all Devon Final between Bronya Pike and Robyn Bowman against Lucy Cooper and Katherine Brown. Pike and Bowman running out worthy winners 15-6 and a close run second end 16-14.
Medals were presented by Emma Austin. GOLD-Bronya Pike and Robyn Bowman. SILVER-Lucy Cooper and Katherine Brown.

Moving onto the Girls singles and Cornwalls Amy Polglase (Camborne) stormed through her group into the semi-finals to meet Devons Robyn Bowman. Amy proving too strong running out a 15-3,15-3 winner.
In the bottom half of the draw a semi-final between Chloe Cosgrove (Worcs) and Devons Bronya Pike was a hard fought first end going to Bronya 15-10.In the second end long rallies took their toll on Chloe and Bronya ran out the winner 15-5.
The final went to Amy who played a consistent, patient game ,taking the match in two straight ends 15-6,15-8. Amy becoming the first Cornish winner of a Silver graded Tournament held in the County.
Medals were presented by Kerry Sillifant Cornwall U13 Team Manager.

GOLD-Amy Polglase. SILVER-Bronya Pike. BRONZE-Chloe Cosgrove and Robyn Bowman.

The Boys Doubles had two boxes and the winners that came through fought a very tense and competitive final. The badminton was of a very high standard and the pairings of Tyler Sillifant and Lloyd Skinner matched their opponents attacking play with some great technique and tactical awareness. However worthy winners Callum Cheung and his partner Tom Seah (Devon) took the match 15-11,15-13. A great match to finish a great days badminton.
Medals were again presented by Kerry Sillifant,

GOLD-Callum Cheung and Tom Seah, SILVER-Tyler Sillifant and Lloyd Skinner.

Tournament Referee was Cathryn Bick Cornwall U15 Team Manager.

Cornwall Youth Badminton wish to thank their main sponsors DAIRY CREST DAVIDSTOW for supplying some great raffle prizes. Thanks also go to TAG Sports for raffle donations, Penryn College for the use of their 6 court hall and the cafeteria, Emma Austin for attending and supporting the event and the following –players from the Cornwall U17 County squad who took responsibility for the smooth running of the Tournament; Hannah Robertson, Rachael Collard, Ruth Barnicoat,Simon Cox, Hester Luke, Jake Brazewell , and William Bick.