County Badminton Report

The county first team clinched its place in the Premiership play offs by maintaining their unbeaten run with a storming 14-1 victory over Northamptonshire, who now find themselves staring relegation from the first division of the Yehlex Inter County Championships in the face.

Julie Pike, Katherine Cooper and Mike Philpott started the rout with comfortable two set victories in the singles. With Toni Sturgeon and Helen Newstead unavailable for the ladies doubles, Michelle Dungar and Louise Culyer played up from the second team and produced two solid wins against Northant's experienced pairs, with their grit and determination backing up Pike and Cooper's more comfortable victories.

In the mens doubles, Ian Murphy and Justin Gerrard continued their great run of form with two more victories, whilst Paul Daynes and Jono Atmore, growing in confidence with each match, won both of their games.

With the match well won, Norfolk kept their foot on the gas with three more victories in the mixed doubles, with Murphy and Cooper, Gerrard and Pike and the scratch pairing of Philpott and Culyer consolidating a comprehensive victory. Although a play-off place is now already secure, the team will look to continue its dominance in the league with victories in its final two matches against Staffs and Leicestershire.