County Badminton Report

The Norfolk first team travelled to Northamptonshire for their second match in Division 1of the Victor Sports Inter County Championships following their promotion last season. Following a 13-2 demolition of the Warwickshire second string in their first match, the team was high in confidence and stormed to an equally impressive 13-2 victory over their hosts.

The star of the show was Norfolk stalwart Ian Murphy who won all four of his games, battling through three tough three setters. His most notable win came in the singles when he lost his first game and was down in the second against a tough opponent but, with his "never say die" attitude fought on and managed to completely turn the game round. Partnered by Justin Gerrard in the level doubles and Katherine Cooper in the mixed, produced three more victories for the resolute Murphy.

Elsewhere, Julie Pike and Katherine Cooper continued their dominance in the ladies singles, winning both their matches in two games, whilst Michael Philpott produced another fine performance in his singles, putting Norfolk's first win on the board early in the match.

In the ladies doubles it was business as usual for the invincible pairings of Cooper and Toni Sturgeon and Pike and Helen Newstead winning all four games in two ends, with Cooper and Sturgeon looking particularly strong, walking all over their opponents.

Norfolk's two defeats came in the mens doubles , where Jono Atmore and Paul Daynes, playing for the second team in division 5 last season, were unfortunate to lose both their games.

Having already gained the maximum three points, the team did not let up and took all three mixed doubles to finish the match on a 13-2 high. But there could be tougher matches to come!

* The Junior Shires League is well underway, with the Under 13s already playing and winning two of their three matches. The victories came in an away match against Northants which they won 13-7 and a home fixture against Suffolk where they came out on top 14-6

Buckinghamshire proved too strong for them in their first match of the season, which they lost 16-4. The squad for the first three matches was: Devon Minnis, Kathryn Adamson, Lauren Mortimer, Georgia Moyes, Ben Sharman, Dominic Ely, Ben Page, Robbie Hobson, Sean Lott and Jacob Trend, all of whom played with enthusiasm and commitment - a promising start to the season.

The Under 17s opened their season with a 20-0 whitewash of Northants. Although there were some close games the team played superbly and could well be in the reckoning when the prizes are awarded at the season's end. Representing Norfolk were: Andy Carrier, Luke Cox, Mark Robinson, Ashley Robb, Serena Verney, Louise Thacker, Sophie Piper and Holly Bowen.