Irish Masters Open Tournament, Dublin, April 2023

Launa & Kerry are Irish Champions!

The Irish Masters Open was held at Baldoyle badminton Centre on the outskirts of Dublin and it was an excellent event.

Launa Eyles & Kerry Mullen travelled across to the Emerald Isle for the weekend.

There was an Irish Select team playing an English Counties select team on Friday as an added incentive to attend and it was an excellent team event.

The Irish hospitality was excellent and everyone enjoyed both the event & Dublin!

Playing in the O60WD on Saturday, Launa & Kerry were in the stronger of the two groups having to play a good English pair, Kay Armer (Cumbria) & Jane Boswell (Sussex) which they won 16 & 16. Then they played the No 1 seeds & Irish champions, Imelda Breen & Heather Harron. In a match that ebbed & flowed, Launa & Kerry won to 15 in the 3rd end in a match lasting almost 40 minutes. The final followed very quickly against another English pair, Mair Dew & Mandy Holland (both Essex). A close first half of the first end resulted in the opposition being 11-4 up at the break. Launa & Kerry then regrouped & won the match 18 & 5 to become Irish Masters Champions

Kerry had a scratch Irish partner, Sean Breen, in the O55 XD. In the group Kerry & Sean beat the No 2 seeds, Nicol Parojic & Brenda Murray Flynn 18 & 17. Then they beat 2 other pairs. Winning their group they played a strong pair of Ian Young & Cathie Warrener and in a close match lost 18-21, 21-23. Congratulations, Kerry, on becoming Irish Masters runner-up.

All-England Masters International Tournament, Hatfield April

All-England Champions O35 WD Runner-Up Kelly Fairey

The All-England Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious Masters badminton tournament in the World & we are fortunate to have it in England.

Kelly Fairey played in the O35 WD partnered by Natalie Taylor (Cambridgeshire). They faced players from different nationalities including, Sweden, England & Scotland.

Kelly gained a silver medal again in the 035 ladies doubles in a great final against a very well established pair from Scotland, Jodie Barral & Frances McLure.

Congratulations, Kelly, a great result

Yorkshire Masters, York, March, 2023

James Buckle had another outstanding weekend up at York playing in the O65 MD with Phil Richardson (Gloucestershire). Seeded 1 they comfortably won through their box to meet the pair they beat in the Hampshire Masters, Peter Emptage & John Gardner (both Essex) in the final. In a closer match that went to 3 ends, James & Phil were victors to 15 in the 3rd end. Another excellent result!

James again teamed up with Anne Bridge (Surrey) & again won their box of 3 pairs to qualify for the semi-finals where they won a close match against Michael Crawford (Cheshire) & Barbara Gillett (Lancashire). In the final they faced John Machin (Lancashire) & Jackie Hurst (Yorkshire) who just had a tad more in their legs at the end of the match. Winner & Runner up at York – excellent!

Kelly Fairey played with Liz Austin (Hertfordshire) in the O40’s WD. In a box of 5 they won 3 & only lost to the eventual winners Mhairi Armstrong and Suzanne Brewer (both Bedfordshire). Kelly & Liz finished as runner-up – well done!

Kelly played with Mark Law (Essex) in the O35 XD. They won their box with their hardest match being against Antony Clark (Devon) & Emma Gillespie (Cumbria) to be crowned as Yorkshire champion. Another excellent weekend for Kelly!

Hampshire Masters, Winchester, February 2023

James Buckle played with Phil Richardson (Gloucestershire) in the O65 MD on Saturday. Seeded No 1 they were in a box of 3 which they won comfortably. Qualifying through to the semi-final they played Bob Bell (Cornwall) & Martin Francis (Worcestershire) 18 & 9. In the final they were paired against Peter Emptage & John Gardner (both Essex) and in a hard-fought match won 24-22 & 21-15 to become Hampshire Champions.

James played with Anne Bridge (Surrey) in the O65 XD on Sunday. Seeded No 1 they were in a box with 4 others. Their closest game was against Anthony Drury (Devon) & Jane Noremberg (Essex) which James & Anne won in 3 sets. One of the matches was against James & Anne’s level doubles partners, Phil Richardson (Gloucestershire) & Christina Davies (Surrey). James & Anne ended the day unbeaten to be Hampshire Champions. Double champion, James – excellent!

Scottish Masters 2023 Glasgow January

James Buckle & his MD partner Phil Richardson stayed up in Glasgow after the McCoig Trophy to play in the Scottish Masters tournament. In the O65 MD they finished as runners-up to Jens Dall-Hansen (Denmark) & Ashley Sharp (Scotland) losing 22-20 in the 2nd end. An excellent weekend for James.

International James! McCoig Trophy 2023.

Annual England V Scotland Masters international

James Buckle & his partner Phil Richardson (Gloucestershire) were selected to represent England in the Annual McCoig Trophy held this year in Glasgow. James & Phil had an excellent O65 MD and beat their Scottish opponents , Ewan McDonnell & Ashley Sharp 15 & 14. England won the match overall to retain the McCoig Trophy.

Masters Inter Counties Challenge Cup – January 2023 O65’s

Team:
Roy Allen, Val Fraser, June James, Stuart Pilkington, Clare Parker, Trevor James .

The team played 5, won 2 and lost 3 . We beat Herts & Dorset & lost to Sussex , Hampshire and Devon . Well done, team!

Masters Inter Counties Challenge Cup – January 2023 O55’s

Team
Back Row – Chris Ashworth (with phone…), Keith Peckover, James Buckle, Barry Harriss

Front Row – Jackie Malton, Debbie Honey, Launa Eyles, Kerry Mullen

The O55’s played in the MCC challenge in a tough Division 1B. The team excelled themselves with victories over Devon, Kent & Surrey 2 and a losing draw against Wiltshire. Going into the last match v Sussex any of 4 teams could have won the tournament & gain promotion to the Premier League for next season. The match was lost to Sussex who won overall. Our final position was decided on the head-to-head against Kent and we finished as runners-up. A great achievement by the team – well done!