Sidmouth Badminton Club have made an encouraging start to their 2009/2010 season in the Exeter & District Badminton League.

Sidmouth Badminton Club have made an encouraging start to their 2009/2010 season in the Exeter & District Badminton League.

In division 2, the Ladies' A team recorded a 4-2 win against a strong Exeter University A team; they quickly fell 2-0 behind but recovered well to win the next four rubbers with impressive performances from Hannah Manfield, team captain Juliet Corston, Debbie Baker and Grace Williams.

For the first time, the club has entered a second ladies' team and they started life in Division 3B with an emphatic 6-0 win against Clyst Vale B. From the first point of the match, the team of Grace Williams, Sarah Bond, Linda McCracken and Hilary Herd gelled together and produced some impressive badminton to demoralise the opposition and seal the win.

In Division 1, the Men's A team played against a young and fit University team. A full strength team was sent consisting of John Carter, Jamie Samuel, Simon Heuson, Chris Bird, Chris Constantinou and Vernon Smeed. The team needed to draw on all their years of experience to grind out a 7-2 win, against the University team whose combined ages were half those of the Sidmouth team.

After suffering relegation last year the men's B team opened their campaign in division 3B with victories against local rivals Otter Vale B and Raleigh, 8-1 and 6-3, respectively. The new pairing of Luke Oxley and Harry Williams, were unbeaten in both matches as were the experienced duo of county over-40s veteran star Paul Carter and Graham Baker. Matthew Wallis and Graham Munday picked up two wins in the match against Otter Vale.

The mixed B team looked destined for another tough season in division 2B after suffering a 6-3 defeat in their opening match to a strong Exeter University A team. There were encouraging performances from Ruth Scrivens, and Paul Carter, who picked up two wins, and Debbie Baker and Simon Heuson, who picked up one win before narrowly losing a second match.

The first round of the Knockout Competition was played against Queen's Badminton Club in Crediton. A late 8pm start on a wet Saturday night did not do much for the morale of the team, especially as most of the players would have been happier to watch a certain singing competition on the television! After a long evening of competitive badminton, some would say the opposition being far too competitive, the Queen's Club were victorious.

The Sidmouth team were Simon Heuson, Chris Bird, John Carter, Vernon Smeed, Hannah Manfield, Debbie Baker, Juliet Corstan and Linda McCracken. Particular mention must go to Hannah for a valiant performance in the singles and Linda for standing in at late notice.