2013/14 Season - So Far!

Mens - Reading League (Div 2)

First match, as per Badminton England, if there are 2 teams from the same club in the same division has to be against each other. This lead to us playing our B team. It was more like club night but with more vigour and tactic. It was a good game and my first with Silverfox Mens team.

Match against Syngenta was easy. Felt like they turned up with a team that put together in a hurry and could not get their regular's. I did not break a sweat and walked away slightly more warm than when I walked into the match. 

This was one of the best matches which I came away satisfied of having played my best. This was one of the better teams I have played and I partnered with Kiran for the first time. Although we played together during club nights, this was the first match together. Results prove that it worked best. I had played the very same guys when playing for Mavnell and got thrashed 7-2. I started the first game against their best pair with an intent to play decent badminton and not win. However our combination proved to be better against a better pair (in my opinion). My playing arm was unbelievably sore by the end of the day, such was the intensity and effort required to come away with the result we achieved. All in all, good evening of badminton.

Another match and another new partner. This time around I am paired with one of the best players within the team. After the last game, this was more 'easy'. There were moments of petty mistakes but eventually finished the evening with the maximum we could achieve. 

It was time for revenge. Opposition were at their familiar surroundings and so called home advantage. However we turned up with our regular's. I reached the venue a bit late with all the flooding happening around Reading / Henley. Games started pretty well, however weren't as a pair playing consistent. Lots of mistakes led to us giving away easy points. Most were lost during serves. Most tense was the last game against their better pair. It was so close that we were down 16-18 in the decider but eventually won as the pair panicked and did some mistakes with their shot selection. Battered and bruised, better luck next season!

Mixed - Bracknell League (Div 1)

First mixed match over a year and I was not really tuned I suppose. Rubbish mistakes and one of my most hated venues doesn't really make for a good match. Icing on the cake being the opposition my previous league club. All in all it was one of those days where I was more frustrated my shots and it is never good to be consumed by frustration.

Another day and yet another evening where frustration took over my badminton. Ended losing 2 of the 3 games, however walked away with the positive of winning the match overall. First time pairing with Janet and we were figuring out our combination. This only showed that I needed to get back into playing mixed a bit more than I normally do, now that my Mrs is off badminton for good. (well occasionally she does turn up to wave her racquet but nothing serious). Onwards!

Game 3 and yet another new partner. Bring it on I said. My partner strong at the back of the court, unusual but true. So for the very first time, I guarded the nets, at the front. With my already low confidence level, this was a really big curve ball. I tried to make it work but failed in the first 2 games. I did not want to try too hard and play as it comes in the third, which apparently went our way. Walked away gutted from yet another match but happy that we managed to win overall.

Good News. I got to play with a partner who I had played with before, good points for some consistency, I said to myself. So it proved and I was slowly adapting juggling between mixed and mens game's. The side that turned up weren't any better but were consistent with their shots. We struggled but eventually made it. A first for the season and a personal best performance, atleast on the scorecard. There was one pair in the opposition who were frustrated at couple of our call's but eh!

Alright, I am getting used to this now. New partner, new game. Helps with consistency and familiarity, doesn't it. Pretty decent opposition and obviously the first game did not go our way. Instead of allowing my frustration to take front seat, I used the calmer me to take centre stage and lead the proceedings. This helped us to tame the remainder of the 2 games and walk away satisfied and happy. Good result for the team as well.