Sidmouth Badminton Club enter 2011 with optimism with several of their teams well placed in the Exeter & District Badminton League to mount a promotion challenge during the second half of the season.

The Ladies’ A team sit at the top of Division 2 at the half way point in the season; after defeating local rivals Otter Vale 5-1 they then suffered their only defeat, 4-2 at the hands of Ringswell A, before returning to something like their early season form to record a 3-3 all draw against a strong St Leonards B team. They return to action on January 31, when they travel to Exeter to try and avenge their only defeat of the season against Ringswell A.

After almost three months without a match the Ladies’ B team make the short trip to Honiton on January 21, to face their B team when they will be hoping to turn the early season draw between the teams into a win and consolidate their current third position in Division 3A.

The Men’s A team had a mixed first half to the season winning two and losing two of their four matches.

In the period running up to Christmas, they lost 7-2 away at Queens Crediton, Sidmouth’s points coming from County over-40s stars John and Paul Carter.

Despite missing several of the regular team members, they signed off 2010 with a convincing 9-0 victory against Exeter University.

Stepping up from the B team at the last moment, Matthew Wallis teamed up with Graham Baker to surprise not only themselves but also their teammates as they cruised to victory in all their games. The team currently lie in fourth place in Division 1.

In Division 3A the Men’s B lie in second place, just four points behind leaders St Leonards B, the only team they have lost to this season. Leading up to the Christmas break the team recorded 7-2, 9-0 and 5-4 victories against Raleigh, Honiton and Ringswell B respectively. Once again Paul Carter with Graham Baker were unbeaten in all these matches and they received good support from Luke Oxley, Harry Williams, Graham Munday, Rob Pering, Matthew Wallis and Rod Bolam.

In Division 1 the Mixed A team lie in third place but have only played a third of their matches to date; leading up to Christmas they recorded victories against Ringswell A and Exeter 5-4 and 6-3 respectively.

The Mixed B team head Division 2A equal on points with Exeter University who they have yet to face. After losing against Otter Vale they went on to record convincing wins against St Leonards C and Queen’s B, 7-2 and 6-3 respectively.

On the last club night of the year the club held its annual Christmas tournament where, after some close matches, the finalists were County veteran Ann Price with Rod Bolam against Ladies’ A team player Clare Turnstill and youngster Will Rozier. After some long points Ann and Rod emerged victorious 21 points to 16.

?The club are always keen to welcome new members. For more details visit www.sidmouthbadminton.co.uk or contact Linda on 07980 375780.