Archive for March, 2011

U15, U11 National Championships…

This weekend was the U15 and U11 national championships being held at Hatfield Sports Village.

Mixed was the first event on the Saturday which Sean Vendy and Brodie Miller had what we call a blip.  After reaching the quarter finals they struggled to keep form and control and lost 22-20 in the third end.  Not a great start to their campaign.  Also in the mixed Harrison Simcock who had been injured and couldn’t hit a shuttle the whole week partnered Ira Banerjee and also reached the quarters but couldn’t go any further.

It was then time for the singles.. Sean, Harrison and Brodie all cruised through their groups without dropping any sets and took their place in the last 16.  Brodie had to play Ira Banerjee were she played an outstanding first set.  Unfortunately Ira never started the second due to an injury she got at the end of the first.  We wish her all the best to a speedy recovery.   Harrison was then against Marcus Smith and after a very even match with some amazing rallies Harrison just fell short 21-15, 21-18.  It was then just left for Sean to play against Reece Wiggins.  Sean took control and never let him into the match winning in two sets.

In the quarter finals Sean defeated Angus Pederson with ease to set up a Semi final against Ben Lane.  Brodie put in a much improved performance against Lynnlette Aung but just could not get ahead during the whole match and unfortunately lost in two sets.  To finish the Saturday off Sean, Harrison, Brodie and David Robertson playing with their respected partners cruised through all their doubles matches to reach the Semi finals on the Sunday.

So Sunday started with Sean in the Singles semi against Ben.  He played a good match doing just enough to win in two sets.  In the doubles Harrison and David had to play against each other.  This was David’s first nationals semi final.  In the first set the nerves did show but in the second it was a very good competitive match but Harrison showed why he is one of the top doubles players in England by taking charge and dictating the win in two sets..  Well done David on your first nationals Bronze medal.  In the other Semi Sean and his partner started very defensively in the first half of the match but once they took charge they also won the match very comfortably.  Brodie and Joshwey did not have their greatest moment on Sunday.  They started their Semi defensively also but just could not turn it around and lost the first.  After being match point down in the second they managed to come back and win the second 21-19.  Unfortunately they could not keep up their attack and started the third badly which they just could not recover.

So it was time for the finals….  Sean had to play Marcus Smith who had knocked out Harrison.  The first set was very close and there was always only a couple of points between them.  Sean showed his mental strength and experience and pushed out the first.  The second was a different story. He took charge and became National U15 Singles Champion in two sets.  During the whole tournament he managed not to lose a game in his singles, which is an achievement in itself.

The doubles final was a very close match between Harrison partnering Dan Chow and Sean partnering Ben Lane.  Both pairs showed amazing attacking and especially defence skills.  Sean narrowly took the match in two sets winning him his second gold.

Whilst this was all going on , Dominique Bell and Molly Chapman won the U11 girls doubles…  Winning her first national title.. Unfortunately after winning all her singles matches in her group she hurt her back and the the advice from the physio was to stop playing and pull out.  What a shame as she playing so well…

Medal tally:

Sean Vendy – Singles – Gold – Doubles – Gold

Harrison Simcock – Doubles – Silver

Brodie Miller – Doubles – Bronze

David Robertson – Doubles – Bronze

Dominique Bell – Doubles – Gold

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The Academy’s new 4 year old member….

Click the image for a video of Callum in action!

Callum ‘Gade’ Tripp Video

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Toni takes her first Senior title….

Toni Blake took her first singles senior title over the weekend at the Suffolk Silver Open.  On reaching the Semi final she lost the first set but managed to turn the match around and started playing aggressive attacking badminton. She then took the second and third comfortably. In the final Toni was too strong for her opponent and after a few questionable line calls which Toni didn’t let affect her she took the match 21-11, 21-12, winning her first gold in a senior event. A great reward for the hard work put in over the last few weeks.  She then partnered Beth Jeffs and reached the quarter finals of the ladies doubles.  Beth also reached the quarter finals in the mixed.

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U13 & U17 Nationals….

Over the weekend the U13 & U17′s nationals took place.  At the U17 nationals Emily Jeffs didn’t start the tournament as she would have liked but she got things back on track and managed to come away with a bronze medal in the mixed.

In the U13 nationals Johnnie Torjussen was playing a year above his age but managed to reach the 1/4′s of the mixed and boys singles.  Unfortunately in both events he came up against his fellow team mate Adam Lam. Adam then reached the Semi finals in all three events but unluckily he ended up losing to the eventual winners in each event.  Well done Adam especially due to the fiasco that has happened around you with in the last few months.

You are a credit to the Academy and the way you conducted yourself was exemplary..  We would like to congratulate and remind you all how proud the Academy is of all of you….

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March 2011

27 Mar – Sean Vendy – U15 Nationals – Singles – Gold – Doubles – Gold – Mixed – 1/4 Finals

27 Mar – Harrison Simcock – U15 Nationals – Singles – last 16 – Doubles – Silver – Mixed – 1/4 Finals

27 Mar – David Robertson – U15 Nationals – Doubles – Bronze

27 Mar – Brodie Miller – U15 Nationals – Singles – 1/4 Finals – Doubles – Bronze – Mixed – 1/4 Finals

27 Mar – Dominique Bell – U11 Nationals – Doubles – Gold

27 Mar - Lia Willis – U13 Hertfordshire Restricted - Singles – Gold 

20 Mar – Toni Blake – Suffolk Silver Senior – Singles – Gold – Doubles – 1/4 Finals

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Milton Keynes U15 Gold…

Brodie Miller proved her alround ability by reaching the quarter finals of the girls singles, finalist in the mixed with a scratch partner and easily winning the girls doubles with Joshwey Bong.  A great weekend for Brodie but a major boost in her singles.. Well done..  

Harrison Simcock stepped up again with Adam Hall from Scotland in the boys doubles.  They strolled throught to the semi finals where they had to play Dan Chow and Frederik Flindt from Denmark.  The match went to a third end but Harrison and Adam were too strong winning 21-15.  Which set up the final against Jed Arksey and Matthew Clare.  From the start they were just too strong and had too much control.  They went on to comfortably win 21-13, 21-14.  Harrison also reached the quarter finals of the mixed playing with another scratch partner Joshwey Bong.   

Good work people…

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