Norfolk's bid for the Premiership

An unbeaten run of eight matches in Division 1 of the Yehlex Inter-County Championships has put Norfolk into the play-offs for only the third time in over thirty years.The two previous occasions ended with defeats at the hands of Staffordshire and Devon, but this time the team believe it will be third time lucky.

Team captain Katherine Cooper said "We're going to bring a bit of Norfolk flair, skill and determination to the occasion as well as plenty of support - our team are well up for the challenge." But they will be up against quality opposition from Kent, Leinster and Northumberland so they will need to be at the top of their game to stand a chance of mixing it with badminton's elite in the Premiership next season.

Norfolk will be at full strength with Ian Murphy, Justin Gerrard, Mike Philpott, Jon Atmore, Paul Daynes, Alex Wyett, Katherine Cooper, Julie Pike, Toni Sturgeon, Helen Newstead and Louise Culyer, playing the three decisive matches next weekend at the National Badminton Centre, Milton Keynes. The first matches will be on court on Saturday morning at 11 o'clock.