U13 match report
Devon v Avon U13s
29/11/06
Devon 21 - Avon 15
Team:
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The first away match of the season. After being beaten by Somerset last month, there was an air of determination amongst the team.
We arrived at St Ursula’s High School an hour early because I didn’t get lost for a change, and the players relaxed with table tennis and pool. Charlie was a bit too good with a table tennis bat but the rest should definitely stick to Badminton.
The Match got under way with the singles. Laura Anson and Rowan Despard started the ball rolling with victories over Olivia Smith and Glenys Marsh. Rachel Perkins was next up for the girls but had a slow start that saw her lose the first game to Rebecca 19-21. The second game Rachel started to find her feet and won 21-16, and by the third she was on form and dispatched a demoralised Rebecca 21-7.
Olivia Marshal also took 3 games to overcome Anna, a reversal of Rachel, Olivia started strong in the first game, won 21-11, then relaxed a bit too much in the second to lose 13-21. But she stepped up a gear in the third winning 21-9.
Hannah Preece on her Devon debut and Jenny Maddison both won their singles games without any problems, over coming Ana and Rachel fairly quickly.
The boys singles was a different story. The Avon boys were going to be tough competition. Simon Brassington had a nail biting 3 setter against Andrew. Simon won the first 21-11, lost the second 21-23 and the third game just slipped away 21-18. It was a very good effort from Simon who didn’t give up. Luke Rutter and Sam Maltby also lost after very close 3 setters. George Joannou however picked up a point for Devon by beating Dominic 21-8, 21-14.
So after the singles the score stood at 7 to Devon, 5 to Avon. This was going to be another close match.
By the time the doubles started, Emma Mingo and I had the early stages of hypothermia setting in as the sports hall was freezing!
It was a similar story in the doubles, the girls were very much in control, Rowan and Rachel, Laura and Olivia were never threatened. Hannah and Jenny also put in a good performance only dropping one game.
The boys doubles was again very close but the advantage just with Avon. Simon and Luke had another 3 set nail biter against Andrew and Dominic, losing 16-21, 21-14, 29-30. It was a bitter pill to swallow missing out on the win in the third game on a sudden death point. However Simon and Luke, George and Charlie managed to beat Robert and Parabhyial, securing two valuable points for Devon.
So after the Doubles the score stood at 17 to Devon 13 to Avon, we were to go into the mixed looking for just two wins to win the match. My stomach was tied in knots with nerves. The team knowing that victory was within reach were eager to get stuck in but knew that they couldn’t take anything for granted.
The first game saw Laura and Simon lose 14-21, 21-19, 19-21. It could have gone either way. So close. But now 17 to Devon, 14 to Avon.
The second game was Rowan and George. Rowan stuck to the net like glue and picked off any weak reply from the opposition created by George’s accurate drop shots and smashes. They won 21-13, 21-18. The score now 18 to 14. The tension lifted slightly as now we couldn’t be beaten but could still draw the match.
Next up was Charlie and Jenny. They gave a spirited performance but lost out 14-21 to 13-21. 18 to 15, still one more win to win the match.
Next was Rachel and Luke. The first game was very close with both pairs being evenly matched, however Rachel and Luke went down 16-21. Before Rachel and Luke started there mixed they had been briefed on what to do if they lost the first game. They then changed tactics for the second game and after another close game won 21-16. In the third they again had a close game and by now I had no nails left on my fingers (and bad hypothermia!), but they came through to win 21-17. Phew! We’ve done it! Match won.
The last two games saw Sam and Olivia, Hannah and Ben win their games to extend our lead to 21-15.
A very good match, could have gone either way. A word for Luke Rutter who remained positive throughout the match and gave comfort to his fellow team mates during the tough boys doubles games.
Player of the match. Rowan Despard. Could have been one of many but what clinched it was her dominant display in the mixed doubles.
After the end of the match I would have thought that the players would be tired and mellow, but what followed was a fierce competition. Were we going to stop at McDonalds or KFC on the journey back? Keeping with the theme of the day it was another close competition with 6 wanting McDonalds and 6 wanting KFC. So I was really popular when I pulled into a services with neither, and they had to have Whimpy instead. Sorry Guys.
Steve Duggan
Devon U13s Coach.