January League Mens Report
Exeter and District Badminton League - Mens Report January 2012 - by Andy RoweThe race to the Division 1 title remains wide open after Cranford A inflicted a 6-3 defeat on previously unbeaten Queens A.
Cranford A welcomed Alex and Ben Lane and Jamie Roberton into their team for their first start of the season and they proved invaluable by putting in unbeaten performances. However the Queens pair of Russ Walker and Darren Frisby pushed the Lane brothers and Roberton/Trebble pairings to the wire before losing 19-21, 21-15, 23-21 and 16-21, 21-14, 23-21 respectively.
Queens A returned to winning ways with an efficient 9-0 win over the basement team, Cranford B.
The students of Exeter University continue to enjoy a good campaign following a comprehensive 8-1 win over Division 1 strugglers Cranford B. The University pairs of Andy Muir/Harry Hacking (3), Milo Rapacioli/Vince Ng (3) and Alex Banks/Nick Halliwell (2) were rarely troubled whilst Cranford had Ben Boyland/Mark Anderson to thank for their point.
In Division 2, the Saints pairs of Malcolm Travis/Ian Jameson, John Gubbin/Andy Rowe and Andrew Mann/Phil Nicholls all played their part in the 9-0 defeat of St Leonards B at the hands of St Leonards A.
Ringswell A maintain a comfortable cushion at the top after beating Otter Vale 8-1. Otter Vales Richard Townsend made a rare appearance for his team and was rewarded with 1 win. Partnered by Tim Wardale they won a titanic battle 21-19, 23-25, 21-18 against Ian Walsh and Steve Rice. However it was business as usual for the Ringswell pairs of Adam Carrow/Guy Rollisson (3) and Nigel Osborne/Phil Matthews (3).
In Division 3A Raleigh came agonisingly close to their first win of the season but eventually lost 5-4 to a battling Sidmouth B team. Paul Bryon/Richard Robinson and Mike Clarke/Dan Graham all bagged a brace of wins for Raleigh but could not get the better off Sidmouths Paul Carter and Graham Baker (3).
St Leonards D beat Honiton 8-1 to remain within fighting distance of Exeter C at the top of Division 3B. The saints rising young star Ali Rehemi and his partner Jay Sweetman led the way with 3 wins, and this was matched by the experienced pair of Mark Stanley and Lee Clatworthy (3).
Honiton beat Clyst Vale 6-3 to notch up their first win of the season with Charlie Hawkes and Roger Tucker putting in an unbeaten performance. They were well supported by Matt Durrant/Rowan Davey (2) and Shane Bowering/Simon Walker (1). Patrick Cordey and Tom Browne (2) were Clyst Vales top scorers.
View the current league tables here http://www.exeterbadmintonleague.co.uk/league_mens_1112.php