HomePress Release 15th April 2006
A successful season for University saw them win the Division Three Title in the Medley League, the Men’s Division ‘B’ Title then crowned their season by winning the Beckly Cup in the Plymouth and District Badminton League.
With the loss of the Sherwell Court the Beckly Cup Final was played outside Devon for the first time in its history, on the court at Torpoint.
B.A.T.S. were the other finalists and with their young side provided a dilemma for the Handicap committee, never-the-less B.A.T.S. were given a handicap of +100. The whole match was played to a good standard of badminton and the young B.A.T.S. side took two ends off their senior opponents. University kept their calm to win the match by 28 aces.
Greenbank ‘A’ are still the team to beat in Division One, they finished the season beating Callington 6-3 at Whiteford Road and so clinch their eighteenth consecutive Championship Title. Callington finish as Runners-up, a credible position on their return to the top flight, by beating Greenbank ‘B’ 6-3 and Ivybridge 7-2.
Greenbank’s ‘C’ Team have claimed the Division Two Title beating Salisbury / Armada 8-1, Builders 5-4 and Devonshire 7-2 and 8-1 to finish unbeaten. Derriford Hospital finish as Runners-up.
As stated earlier, University remained undefeated to win the Division Three Title but had to fight hard for their 5-4 wins at Tavistock and Callington. Y.M.C.A. Kitto ‘A’ finish as Runners-up.
A turn-around in fortune saw Mayflower Wednesday win the Division Four Title winning 6-3 at home to University but then losing 5-4 at Torpoint who, in turn, sneaked into the Runners-up spot beating B.A.T.S. 7-2.
Devonshire ‘A’ went into their final Men’s Division ‘A’ match needing just one point from the twelve available to secure the Men’s Championship Title. Salisbury / Armada played their normal game and Devonshire had to wait until their fourth event of the evening for their Championship point. Salisbury / Armada ran out 10-2 winners leaving Victoria as Runners-up.
University ‘A’ won the Men’s Division ‘B’ Title and Y.M.C.A. Kitto ‘A’ finished as Runners-up.
In the Men’s Division ‘C’ Mayflower Wednesday were made to fight for their 7-5 victory and winners Title, by a vastly improved performance by Y.M.C.A. Kitto ‘C’. Mayflower gave a debut to 14 year old Tom Hawker who made his first appearance with his father, Mark. However he had to wait until he partnered Marcus Dover before he claimed his first League point.
Y.M.C.A. Kitto Ladies polished off Devonshire ‘D’ 7-5 and Salisbury / Armada 8-4 to take the first ever Ladies Title.
Gordon Hunt
Submitted to both The Evening Herald and The Sunday Independent