A top notch display from Men’s Badminton 1sts ensured they breezed through to the quarter finals of the Northern Conference Cup following their 8-0 whitewash victory over Manchester 3^rds.

Manchester 3rds were positioned only one point behind UCLan in the league standings coming into the game, so it was expected to be a much closer encounter.

Perhaps the highlight of the afternoon was the opening doubles match in which Bruce Johnson and Dave Garnett partnered up to win in straight sets after a fantastic comeback from the pair.

Both sets were nail-bitingly close as the home partnership clawed back a number of times when it seemed all was lost to take the first set 25-23 and the second 28-26.

The second doubles match was once again very close with Manchester taking the first set 19-21, only for UCLan pairing Ben Dobbs and James Pickard to take the two following sets 21-18 and 21-17.

Graham Hollingsworth featured in the first singles game which he took in straight sets 21-19 and 21-14 – covering the court well.

The following singles encounter saw Matty Timms win the first set with ease 21-10, however his opponent turned up the heat in the second, which eventually Timms won 22-20 with an impressive comeback after it looked like the match would go the distance.

Doubles pair Garnett and Johnson then secured UCLan’s victory, despite going down in the first set 19-21 they fought back with some superb play to take the following sets 21-17 and 21-14.

Hollingsworth followed in similar fashion to his previous encounter, taking the game in two straight sets. This time however, the contest was much more even and may have gone the other way if it wasn’t for the hard work and determination from the UCLan performer.

Dobbs and Pickard made light work of their second match of the afternoon with a straight sets victory of 21-14 and 21-13 which showed their capabilities as a doubles pair.

The final match typified the team performance for UCLan as Timms put in a gutsy performance, using up every ounce of energy he had in him. He went down 14-21 in the first set before bouncing back – taking the remaining sets 21-15 and 21-16, to seal a huge victory for UCLan.

“Today went really well” said UCLan Captain, James Pickard.

“It’s one of the last rounds of the cup, so I’m really happy with the performance”, he added.

UCLan will now have two weeks off before they face Manchester 3rds once again, this time in the league away from home. Meanwhile they could face fellow team-mates UCLan 2nds in the next round of the cup depending on other results.

UCLan Team:

Doubles- Bruce Johnson & Dave Garnett

Doubles- Ben Dobbs & James Pickard

Singles- Graham Hollingsworth, Matty Timms

Manchester University’s 3^rd team handed UCLan Badminton Men’s 1^st team their second successive defeat of the season as they lost 6-2 at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre on Wednesday.

UCLan had started the season well with a home victory over Lancaster before an 8-0 crushing away defeat last week in Bangor. Their opponents on the other hand had only picked up one point so far this season having failed to win their first two games.

The hosts started well against Manchester as well with Graham Hollingsworth and James Pickard both taking the first games of their singles matches. Hollingsworth then closed out his match in convincing fashion winning 21-12, 21-15. However, Pickard lost his close second game 20-22 and then failed to win the decider as the visitors levelled the scores.

The doubles partnership of Ben Dobbs and David Garnett were next up and they started well taking the opener 23-21 before their opponents came back to win the next two games  17-21, 18-21.

The frustration after this result was clear to see as the hosts sensed a missed opportunity to take control of the tie. The second doubles partnership of Bob Li and Nikolai Dimitrov fared no better as they were soundly beaten in straight games 15-21, 13-21 to give Manchester a 3-1 lead halfway through the tie.

In the second round of matches, Li and Dimitrov fell to another defeat losing 13-21, 11-21 to put UCLan even further behind. Captain James Pickard then showed great determination to come from a game behind to win his singles match and give the hosts a glimpse of hope.

Graham Hollingsworth then lost his match in straight games 19-21, 17-21 to confirm the victory for Manchester whilst Dobbs and Garnett lost their final doubles match 21-23, 16-21 in the dead rubber.

After the match, Captain James Pickard said “I think we played well, there are a few changes that we need to make for the next week, and we’re going to change the team a bit. This is only our third game playing together so we need to gel a bit more. Our aims for the rest of the season are to stay in the league we’re in, we’re currently third so we’re doing ok.”

UCLan’s next opponents are Edge Hill in the BUCS Cup at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre next week.

By Andrew Bunting

UCLan Men’s badminton 1sts have been relegated after a crushing 7 – 1 home defeat to local rivals Lancaster 1sts at Foster Sports Centre.

Lancaster were always in control, although UCLan’s Graham Hollingsworth did manage to pick up a point for the hosts after a 21 – 12, 21 – 12 win. However, that was merely a consolation as Lancaster sent UCLan crashing out of division 2A.

Captain Adam Spence had yet another late withdrawal, so second team player Dave Garnett stepped in as Spence’s doubles partner for the crucial encounter. Lancaster on the other hand, brought a stronger line-up than the reverse fixture.

It was a nightmare start for the home side as Lancaster took control from the off. Spence and Garnett were comfortably beaten 5 – 21, 15 – 21 in their first doubles and Allen and Rowan, who also made a slow start, were punished 12 – 21, 15 – 21.

Hollingsworth and Hubbard were the singles players for the day and both lost their first matches in straight games.

It was 4 – 0 in favour of Lancaster at the turn around and UCLan had it all to do if they were to save their season.

But it got worse for Spence’s men after both doubles partnerships were beaten again. There was a slight improvement though as both the matches went to the deciding game.

Spence and Garnett who were partnering each other for the first time lost 21 – 11 in the final game. Allen and Rowan started brightly winning 24 – 22 in a close first game, but then crumbled, losing 18 – 21, 11 – 21 in the next two.

Hubbard put up a valiant display in his final singles match, but fitness was his downfall as he lost 14 – 21, 19 – 21.

There was one positive as Hollingsworth gave UCLan their solitary point of the match winning his final singles encounter in straight games.

It was too little too late though as rivals Lancaster took the three points which ultimately relegated UCLan into BUCS North West division 2B.

It was a disappointing end to what would have been a respectable season and captain Spence admitted:

“Lancaster knew they had to win today like ourselves and they brought a strong team.

“They proved too strong for us on the day.”

By Jamie Allen

Men’s Badminton 2nds slipped to a 6-2 defeat against the league leading Manchester Metropolitan 1sts at Foster Sports Centre.

It was an optimistic start for UCLan’s side as Jonathan Simpson he smashed his way past his opponent with a winning score of 21-16 and 21-14.

The doubles partnership of David Garnet and Martin Hepworth saw a tense turnaround of events, after the first game was lost with a crushing 14 – 21. By the second game, luck began to lift their spirits as they won with 21-13 and, finally, an overall win with 21-11.

Eddy Lu struggled to continue his side’s momentum as he was on the receiving end of a devastating defeat of 14-21 and 7-21 to his opposition.

The second doubles pairing of captain Bruce Johnson and Rory McIntyre produced a determined display to push the Man Met players to the end. After both teams took a game each at 18-21, 21-18, UCLan ultimately lost a nail-biting encounter 19-21.

By half-time, both teams drew with two points-a-piece and the second half potentially offered the promise of a victory for the UCLan team.  The improved performance was remarkable, especially as they had lost the return fixture without registering a point.

Jonathan Simpson had the first opportunity to put UCLan on its way to another win, but he was unable to give the home side the advantage as he suffered a loss of 17-21 and 16-21.

Eddy Lu, one of UCLan’s premier performers, seemed to be back on form after his earlier defeat. Despite an improved effort, his opponent clinched the first game 20-21 and a 16-21 defeat in the second saw the home side slip further behind.

Garnet and Hepworth, tried to power their way through their competition with a close loss of 19-21, but dominated the second round with 21-14. However, their efforts were futile, when they lost their final game with 16-21.

Johnson and McIntyre were last to play, and although they tried to smash their way past the Man Met players, they eventually lost 19-21 17-21.

Captain Johnson seemed optimistic about the rest of the season; “Although we lost this match, we weren’t good enough to beat Manchester.

“I know that we are strong enough to beat our other competitors and stay up in the league.”

UCLan will face MMU Cheshire, Chester and Keele in the next few weeks as they battle with latter and Cumbria at the bottom of the table.

By Cindy Ho

The Men’s Badminton 1sts got their league form back on track after a comprehensive 6 – 2 away win against fellow relegation contenders Manchester University 2nds.

The result never really looked in doubt and it was a much-needed win for UCLan.

Captain Adam Spence opted to change the partnerships in hope it would inspire his team to victory and it seemed to work. Mike Hubbard and new partner Graham Hollingsworth comfortably won their first doubles game 21 – 8, 21 – 5, whilst Adam Spence and Adam Rowan consolidated the good start with a 21 – 14, 21 – 15 win.

James Pickard and Jamie Allen were now UCLan’s singles players and they had two tough encounters. Firstly, Pickard lost 16 – 21, 18 – 21 after a hard-fought match; whilst Allen came from a game down to win in three games, 15 – 21, 21 – 18, 21 – 12.

As the matches turned around, Hubbard and Hollingsworth picked up where they left off dispatching their opponents 21 – 17, 21 – 17 in a slightly closer affair. Spence and Rowan also made it two out of two winning 21 – 14, 21 – 18. By this time, the score read 5 – 1 in favour of UCLan.

Pickard and Allen re-took to the court with nothing to lose. Pickard made up for his earlier defeat by winning in straight games. The first game went right down to the wire with the UCLan man prevailing 22 – 20 after some long rallies, but come the second game, Pickard had tired his opponent and managed to win easily 21 – 7. Allen, on the other hand, couldn’t get past the other Manchester singles player losing 15 – 21, 13 – 21, clearly suffering after a gruelling first match.

It didn’t matter though as UCLan ran out deserved winners, 6 – 2 the overall score. This result now lifts the side out of the relegation zone and captain Spence was all smiles at the end of the game:

“It was a good all round team performance and re-arranging the team seem to pay off.

“Hopefully this will put us back on winning form.”

UCLan next entertain Lancaster University at Foster Sports Centre on Wednesday where they will look to build on this impressive win.

By Jamie Allen

UCLan Women’s Badminton team held Sheffield Hallam to a 4-4 draw at Foster Sports Centre on Wednesday.

The home side had been struggling to find their form in the league so far this season, losing four games and drawing three, but they put in a tremendous team performance against a good quality Sheffield Hallam side.

Claire Reynolds started off the game well for the hosts as she dominated her opponent, conceding only nine points as she won 21-4,21—5. The doubles partnership of Cristina Montgomery and Freya Emerson then picked up where Reynolds left off winning some well played points on their way to a 21-10, 21-10 victory.

The other doubles partnership of Sarah Edwards and Nat Ko were less fortunate as they battled hard against superior opponents but ultimately suffered defeat 5-21,10-21.

UCLan’s second singles player Emma Thompson also lost her opening game against the outstanding player from Hallam, who showed real quality in a 21-4,21-6 win.

With the scores level at two apiece halfway through the match, the second games were vital and Emma Thompson took little time in showing her authority, winning 21-4,21-3 in a powerful performance.

Montgomery and Emerson played well against the number one Hallam doubles pair and ran it close before eventually falling to defeat 16-21,9-21. Reynolds then faced the number one singles player from Hallam and although she put up a tremendous fight, she was eventually outplayed 13-21, 7-21.

With only one game remaining, it was all down to Edwards and Nat Ko to secure the draw. The game was incredibly close with both sets of players putting in a great effort but the hosts eventually prevailed 21-14, 21-18 to make the score 4-4 and mark a well earned draw for UCLan.

After the game, Reynolds said: “I think everyone played really well, especially considering the pairs haven’t played together in a while. This was our best performance of the year.”

UCLan will play Sheffield Hallam again, away on Saturday as they continue their fight for survival at the bottom of the league.

By Andrew Bunting

A weakened Men’s Badminton 1sts slipped to yet another crushing defeat, 7-1 to relegation contenders Lancaster University last Wednesday.

It was a crucial tie for both teams who were fighting it out at the bottom of the league, with the winner likely to evade the dreaded drop.

It was Lancaster who dominated the match, winning all the doubles encounters and all but one of the singles matches to win their first match of the season in emphatic style.

Prior to the away trip to Lancaster, captain Adam Spence was dealt a double blow as Adam Rowan and singles player James Pickard both withdrew at the last minute.

 Lancaster took advantage of UCLan’s misfortune and stormed into an early 3 – 0 lead, winning both sets of doubles and the first singles encounter. Adam Spence and Mike Hubbard started strongly for UCLan winning 18 – 21, but failed to push on and lost the next two games 21 – 14, 21 – 16.

The other doubles match was a different kettle of fish as the visitors patched up team of Matt Thomas and Nicolay Dimitrov were comfortably despatched 21 – 4, 21 – 4. UCLan’s singles player for the day Jamie Allen also lost his match, 21 – 10 in the first game, but put up a fighting effort in the second narrowly losing 21 – 18 after making three consecutive unforced errors.

The matches swapped round but there was no change in the outcomes of both matches as Spence and Hubbard lost in straight games 21 – 14, 21 – 12 as did Thomas and Dimitrov, 21 – 10, 21 – 6.

Jamie Allen gave UCLan some hope winning his singles in straight games 19 – 21, 15 – 21, but by now the match had been decided and the overall match score read 5 – 1 in Lancaster’s favour.

Late arrival Graham Hollingsworth rushed on court to try and salvage some sort of consolation for the UCLan team. He was unfortunate in his first match losing in three topsy-turvy games, 21 – 16, 9 – 21, 21 – 15. Tiredness set in and Hollingsworth was beaten in straight games in his final singles.

After the game, Captain Spence showed his frustration:

“It’s another disappointing defeat. It doesn’t help when only one first team player turns up to training and I have to deal with two late withdrawals from the team.”

“Once again, there is too much inconsistency in the team which needs to be looked at.”

Lancaster were victorious, a 7 – 1 win, and it’s now only one win all season for the UCLan team who lie rock bottom of the Northern Division 2A.

By Jamie Allen

It was a disappointing cup defeat for Badminton Men’s 1sts after they were beaten 6 – 2 by Manchester University 2^nd team, at Manchester Grammar School. UCLan had already beaten the same team earlier in the season, but it wasn’t meant to be second time around.

Prior to the match, UCLan were unable to recruit a first or second team singles player, so untried Matt Thomas stepped in for his first game. Thomas worked hard, but was outclassed by the Manchester teams’ singles players losing 5 – 21, 5 -21 in his first and then 6 – 21, 9 – 21 in his second singles match.

UCLan’s regular singles player James Pickard was unfortunate in his first singles match losing in three tight games 19 – 21, 23 – 21, 15 – 21. Pickard had done well to battle back from one game behind, but seemed to lose his head in the decider. In Pickard’s second singles his opponent Greg Mooney showed his class winning in straight games 17 – 21, 12 – 21.

Onto the doubles and UCLan had it all to do. Adam Spence and returning Mike Hubbard gave the visitors hope, winning their first encounter 21 – 18, 21 – 12. Jamie Allen and Adam Rowan started strongly winning 21 – 19 in the first game, but complacency seemed to kick in and the Manchester pairing took full advantage coming back to win in three games, 16 – 21, 16 – 21.

The doubles encounters swapped around and Allen and Rowan pulled a match back for UCLan winning comfortably 21 – 14, 21 – 10. Spence and Hubbard lost their final doubles 21 – 17, 21 -17 which was disappointing after an impressive first game win.

It was a 6 – 2 defeat and the end of UCLan’s cup run after just the second round.

Despite the cup exit, captain Adam Spence tried to look to the future: “Hopefully when we face them again away, we will come out on top.”

By Jamie Allen

Men’s Badminton 2nds moved off the bottom of the table with a 5-3 victory over fellow cellar-dwellers Keele.

The meeting between the two sides at Foster Sports Centre gave both teams the chance to open their account for the season as neither went into the game with a point on the board.

UCLan undermined their recent form to storm into a 4-0 lead after the first round of matches.  Despite a Keele rally, the home side soon wrapped up the point they needed for victory to bring an end to their barren run.

It was a dream start for UCLan as top seed John Simpson quickly disposed of his Keele counterpart.  Simpson looked comfortable to take the match in two sets with a healthy margin in both.  The 21-10 21-11 victory was just the start.

Rory McIntyre and Alex Dodd put aside recent struggles to win in similar fashion in their doubles encounter.  The 21-14 21-12 win gave UCLan a two point advantage that they would not surrender.

The other singles and doubles matches saw the home side lose the first set of both games to give the impression that Keele would put up stern opposition.  The trepidation was soon over as Martin Hepworth and the pairing of Bruce Johnson and Dave Garnett showed character to turn the deficit into two more precious points for their team.

Captain Johnson and his vice-captain partner Garnett were first over the line.  In an error-strewn battle that caused Johnson to proclaim it the “worst badminton match he had ever been involved in”, the pair made it through to win 13-21 21-11 21-18.

Hepworth then ensured a clean sweep for UCLan to claim the fourth point.  After falling behind in the first set, Hepworth asserted himself and controlled the play from that point.  His domination was soon apparent as he took the final set 21-9 to cement his side’s commanding lead.

The second set of matches saw only one doubles pairing take a point as Keele battled back.  It was, however, too late to gain a point as UCLan picked up the first win of the round to secure the triumph.

Johnson and Garnett put aside their struggles in their first game to sweep aside the Keele pairing.  A whirlwind 21-7 21-9 annihilation swiftly ended the away side’s hopes of a point and condemned them to the foot of the table.

Johnson was full of praise for his team, citing the early work of the singles as critical to the win:

“I think we can now go on from here to beat MMU Cheshire as we did twice last season.

“Our defeats have only been narrow, apart from the cup matches, so I’m confident we can stay up and finish mid-table.”

By Liam Geraghty

Men’s 1sts suffered a shock 5 – 3 defeat to Liverpool John Moore’s University 1sts at Foster Sports Centre.

Despite the home side’s expectations, it was the Liverpool side who came flying out of the traps, winning the first set of singles matches.

UCLan’s Graham Hollingsworth was beaten in straight games 13 – 21 and narrowly 20 – 22, although a string snapping at game point in the second game did not help matters.

 James Pickard’s singles were a much closer affair. Pickard won a close first game 26 – 24, but that only seemed to spur on his Liverpool opponent as he hit back in the next two games by the score of 12 – 21.

The first set of doubles got underway and the host’s Adam Rowan and Jamie Allen started strongly winning 21 – 18 in the first game. The Liverpool pairing pulled the second game in their own favour winning 14 – 21. In the decider, the UCLan pairing stepped up the intensity and prevailed 21 – 17.

Captain Adam Spence was playing alongside Eddy Lu after a late withdrawal from Mike Hubbard. They comfortably won the first game 21 – 8, however, they seemed to lose concentration to lose 19 – 21, 17 – 21 in the next two games. That meant Liverpool John Moore’s led 4 – 1 overall.

The doubles swapped around and Rowan and Allen continued the good work easily despatching the away side pairing 21 – 11, 21 – 8. The score now read 4 – 2.

Unfortunately, Spence and Lu couldn’t follow in Rowan and Allen’s footsteps and were beaten in straight games.

The second round of singles were similar to the first. Hollingsworth succumbed to an 11 – 21, 15 – 21 loss. Pickard, on the other hand, showed battling qualities to come from a game down to win 25 – 23 in the decider.  It was a valiant effort from Pickard, but it was too little too late as the match had already been decided.

The 3 – 5 result means that it’s only one win from four league matches for UCLan men’s 1sts.

Captain Adam Spence admits there’s a problem:

“It’s a disappointing defeat, there’s too much inconsistency in the team and it’s a major issue especially with today’s result.

On watching Chairman James West saw some positives though:

“Everyone played to their full potential. Adam and Jamie did well and it was good to see James Pickard excel himself especially in his second singles.”

UCLan men’s 1sts must now pick themselves up for the trip to Lancaster University 1sts next Wednesday.

By Jamie Allen