Launceston team, with Ms Unwin.

Head of PE Ms Unwin, and parents Mr & Mrs Davis, Mrs Lashbrook, Mr & Mrs Brewster accompanied Launceston’s U16 Badminton team to Derby to play in the National schools Badminton finals.

Launceston was one of only 8 schools to qualify from County and Regional Finals involving 550 teams at the start of the competition. Travelling 200+.miles the day before and staying overnight at a Travelodge the team (Ross Lashbrook 11TSB, Pat Davis 11CAU, Phil Lyle 11TSB ,Andy Brewster 11 CAU, Lawrence Sampson 11CAU ) arrived in time to warm up before playing Tomlinscote school, Surrey. As you would expect at this level the match was tightly contested. Ross lost his singles game to a very strong player with an excellent all round game 11-21. In the 1st Doubles event Andy and Phil played brilliantly as a pair with excellent serves and ‘line’ calls to win 21-10. Pat lost to their 2nd strong Singles player 21-14 which made the 2nd Doubles all important. In a really close and exciting game Ross and Phil finally lost out by the narrowest of margins 20-21….’’Gutted’’!! However to restore any lost pride Pat and Andy played the perfect ‘team’ game to win 21-18 with Pat brilliantly wrong footing their receiver to set up a winning shot for Andy. Final score 87-91 points, a 2-3 overall loss.


Second match:

In their 2nd match Ross again came up against a formidable opponent, this time from Tapton School ,Sheffield, Yorkshire . He lost 21-15 in a game with several long rallies. Andy and Phil also lost out in the Doubles 10-21. Pat’s Singles game was closely fought, he changed tactics mid game to serve long and clawed back several lost points but the gap was too much and he lost out 18-21. In their Doubles game Phil and Ross never really got going against a pair who out maneuvered them to win 21-8. In their final game Pat and Andy were tiring but produced some great rallies but not enough to win and went down 10-21. A 0-5 loss to the team that went on to contest this year’s National final. So no disgrace there!


Final match:

As each match is played one after the other Launceston had to dig deep in their final match versus Wilmslow school, Cheshire . Ms Unwin refreshed the team with Lawrence Sampson playing in the Doubles games and Phil taking a well earned rest . Phil took on the role of ‘coach’ to give players valuable feedback. Ross got off to a flyer taking his first Singles game 21-16. In a tight game to start with Andy and Lawrence eventually got on a ‘roll’ and won 21-16. This was Lawrence ’s first time at a National final, and his first win. Pat did everything he needed to in his Singles game and cruised to a comfortable 21-10 victory. Ross and Lawrence had to accept a 15-21 defeat knowing by then that the match was won. Pat and Andy the most consistent of our pairings bowed out with a win 21-14 to give us the match 4-1 and 99 points to 77.


Sportsmanship:

So, the boys did Launceston College and Cornwall proud. Gracious in defeat and magmanimous in victory they played to their best and tested themselves against others who were, on the day, a little better,( but not by much)!!. Launceston were very much a ‘team’ supporting and encouraging each other throughout the County, Regional and National events. Their good manners and politeness were commented on by members of the public and their good humour with each other and sense of fair play enabled them to cope with any individual disappointments they may have felt


Many thanks:

Obviously to get to a National final in any sport requires commitment and dedication not only from the players but also from parents, teachers, coaches and supporters generally. A big ‘thank you needs to go to the school and PE Department (which I have the privilege of leading ) for the opportunities and finance it has afforded the boys (and to those before them) over the past years. Thanks also to Jenny Worth and her dedication in coaching out of school hours and to Kath Wotton and her team of County coaches. Thanks to Steve Worth of MHE / Pro Serve, and our School Sports Partnership for the contributions they made. Well done to Phil Lyle for organizing the team shirts via ‘In Badminton,’ they looked great! Finally, many thanks to Richard Brewster, Kate and Adrian Davis for organizing the accommodation, food and transport and the excellent support they gave the boys throughout.


Ms Carol Unwin
Head of Physical Education, Launceston.