You can forget your Barcelona v Man United pre-season friendly, the match that everyone’s talking about is Elmfield v Fuller’s Talent, a talented bunch of badders players from ‘down south’- well Tunbridge Wells to be precise.

The match took place on Saturday 20th August, with a slightly uneven line up of 11 Elmfield players (2 cheerleaders -Kim and Alison and 1 photographer – Mr P Robson) and 5 Fuller’s Talent Players.

First to go on included a mixed game between newly formed partnership Rachel Frobisher and Doug Clark and the visitors Ms Welsby – Black – Haydock and Patrick – The Pink. A closely fought game resulted in a victory to the home side. The visitor’s, however, took the lead following an impressive performance from Jenny beating Holly R and Peter and Hannah sneaking a win against Matt and Jennie.

The next round of games, however, was to see a change in fortune for the home side. Holly returned to her usual winning ways, partnered by Rachel they beat Welsby and Hannah. Adam dusted down his singles shorts and following a tight first end v Patrick, comfortably won his second end to 10. A secret short coaching session took place prior to Kate and Kristian’s mixed v Peter and Jenny. It was rumoured that Kate reminded Kristian that he was in fact left-handed and Kristian revealed to Kate that in fact she was allowed to move on court during mixed……. With coaching tips in mind, Kate and Kristian narrowly beat the visitors in 3 ends, taking the match total to 4 2.

With still everything to play for, the last round of games were tense. A university partnership of Kate and Jennie was re-united against their former university comrade Welsby and her partner Jenny. After a successful first set for the home side, the visitor’s grasped the game by the horns and pulled back the first set deficit, winning comfortably in the third. A brand new partnership of Doug and Neil were introduced at game number 8, unfortunately after a nail biting first set of 24-22, the visitor’s sneaked a win taking the match score to 4-4. Could it be any more tense??? Final game on, the one and only decider, the game which divides the north from the south, the geordies from the cockneys (I could go on- but I’m sure you get the message- it was exciting). Andy and Luke took the first end against Patrick and Peter 21-15. Was it tiredness catching up, having played 6 out of the 9 games, who can tell. However, an impressive performance in the second end by Andy and Luke secured the victory for the home team. 5-4 Final score!!!!

But the best was still to come………Left handed ‘Around the World’, followed by an exciting game of Badminton Statues – who could ask for more.

On a serious note, I’d like to thank the 5 members of Fuller’s Talent for coming up and playing a great match of badminton. It was a great and fun way to warm up for the coming season and it was lovely to meet you all. I’m sure we could muster up a team for a re-match next year???

Kate