Yonex Veterans Inter County League Finals
The Devon County Over 60’s Veteran Badminton team this season completed the ‘double’. Firstly winning the Inter County Championships in Bath in January and then the SW Regional Inter County League.
As a consequence, the team this last weekend went forward to the Inter County League National Finals being held at the Fenton Manor Sports Centre in Stoke on Trent. A playing squad of ten, and numerous supporters, made the long trip and were amply rewarded by a tremendous playing performance , every member of the team excelled themselves.
On Saturday they played Kent ,joint favourites, who had only dropped four rubbers throughout their whole qualifying season. Both the opening Men’s doubles went to three games. The number 1 pairing of Mike McFarlane and Derek Stratton pushed their opponents to the limit as did 2nd pairing Wally Bickford and Mike Finch. Despite their valiant efforts both pairings lost yet there was only a total of 11 points difference between the teams.
The same scenario faced the opening two Ladies doubles. Margaret Banyard and Jenny Northcott took their first game 23-21 against former international Sue Whetnall and partner Mary Jenner. Leading the second game, a disputed scoreline affected their concentration and by the narrowest of margins lost in 3 games. Dylys Bradshaw and Pam Fraser restored the situation with a 2-1 win, over the two matches both teams scored 118 points.
Honours were shared in the in the next four rubbers with McFalane and Stratton beating the Kent 2nd string Men’s pairing and Margaret Banyard and Jenny Northcott doing likewise to the Kent No 2’s. After the Even Doubles the match score stood at 5-3 to Kent.
In the Mixed Doubles, Mike Mc Farlane and Jenny Northcott put on a resilient performance against Ray Sharp and Sue Whetnall the 2-0 scoreline doing them an injustice. A similar score against Derek Stratton and Margaret Banyard clinched the match for Kent before a winning three setter from Wally Bickford and Dylys Bradshaw and then a straight set win for Mike Finch and Anne Price, playing in her first ever national final, 21-18:21-18; for the Devon team to take their total to five rubbers .
Result: Kent 7 - Devon 5
The atmosphere had been electric and the enthusiastic support lifted the team time and again , this was taken forward to the third place play-off on Sunday against a redoubtable Buckinghamshire side who lost their semi-final to Lancashire.
The Devon team had celebrated their good performance against Kent the previous evening and were really fired-up and raring to go. Mike McFarlane and Derek Stratton won both their rubbers in straight games. Wally Bickford and Mike Finch won their first in 3 games but then narrowly missed out in their second rubber again over three games The Ladies stormed through their four rubbers and won them all in straight games. Margaret Banyard and Jenny Northcott were stretched in their opening rubber before winning 21-18:21-18. Dylys Bradshaw and Pam Fraser held on to win their second rubber 21-14:21-18. and in so doing clinched the match. After the Even Doubles the score stood at 7-1 to Devon.
The most dramatic Mixed Doubles was the opening encounter of the number one pairings with Mike McFarlane and Jenny Northcott losing to Tony Collins and Heather Coupar 24-22 on third end and by just 2 points overal. Derek Stratton and Margaret Banyard won a tough straight game win over Ian Moody and Pam Tranter 21-19:21-19. Wally Bickford and Dylys Bradshaw lost their first game but fought back to take the win 21-19:17-21:18-21. Mike Finch and Anne Price were a little disappointed not to finish off the tremendous team effort with a win.
Final Score: Buckinghamshire 3 - Devon 9
The team was rightful to be jubilant as National Number 3’s against such esteemed company.
The Devon County Over 60’s Squad 2006-07:
- Dylys Bradshaw ( Greenbank -Plymouth)
- Margaret Banyard (Greenbank-Plymouth
- Wally Bickford ( Victoria-Plymouth
- David Bromage ( Mens Capt) (St Marys Ottery St Mary
- Mike McFarlane Victoria - Plymouth
- Mike Finch Ringswell- Exeter
- Pam Fraser (Ladies Capt) Adelphi - Torquay
- Jenny Northcott Greenbank - Plymouth
- Mary Ross Adelphi - Torquay
- Rod Olney Torpoint - Plymouth
- Anne Price Otter Vale - Ottery St Mary
- Derek Stratton Victoria - Plymouth
Back Left to Right Mike McFarlane: Mike Finch: Wally Bickford: Derek Stratton
Middle L to Rt - Anne Price: David Bromage: Pam Fraser: Dylys Bradshaw
Front L to Rt - Margaret Banyard: Jenny Northcott