The Milton Keynes College Badminton squad began their season yesterday at the British Colleges Sports Regional event.
The day stared with the singles events. In the men’s event Tom was drawn in group 1 of 4 whilst Rory was drawn in group 2, meaning a possible semi-final meeting if they both won through. Both Tom and Rory got off to great starts, as Tom beat his opponent from SEEVIC College 15 – 2 (all matches being played as one game to 15), and Rory winning 15 – 0 against the second SEEVIC entry. This form continued as both players won their group without losing Tom 15 – 2 (Sufolk), 15 – 0 (Paston) & 15 – 2 (SEEC), whilst Rory was tested a little more winning 15 – 10 (Suffolk), 15 -4 (COLVIC) and 15 – 10 (Easton).The women’s Singles were played in 2 pools and Charlotte and Demi managed to avoid each other in the draw. Charlotte finished as runner up in her group, winning 4 matches 15 – 9 (Hills Road), 15 – 1 (Suffolk), 15 – 2 (SEEC). 15 – 3 (East Norfolk), her only loss coming 8 – 15 against COLVIC. Unfortunately Demi was unable to progress from her group as she lost her games 4 –15 (Hills Road), 5 – 15 (Chelmsford), 6- 15 (Havering), 3 – 15 (Paston) and 2 – 15 (East Norfolk).The boys comp now progressed to the ¼ final stages whilst the women’s went to the semi-finals, with matches now one game to 21. Tom took on COLVIC College winning 21 – 3, whilst Rory won through 21 – 15 against SEEVIC to set up an all MK semi-final. This match lived up to its billing and certainly got the crowd watching but in the end Tom won this match 21 – 16. In the women’s Semi-finals Charlotte came up against Hills Road College winning a close match 21 – 18. Before the finals Rory lost out to Hills Road entry in the 3rd/4th play off 21 – 18. There was mixed success for MK College in the two finals, as Charlotte came up against the only girl to beat her so far today (COLVIC), this game was a lot closer this time round but Charlotte again lost out 21 – 18. Fortunes were different in the men’s event as Tom came up against the only other unbeaten player from Havering College, again a close match but Tom was successful winning 21 – 18.In the doubles discipline the men’s event was again played over 4 pools with the MK pairs managing to avoid each other. Paul and Rahim paired up to make their debuts for the college but were beaten in their pool games 2 – 15 (Hills Road) & 12 – 15 (SEEC). The second pairing of Scott and Matt started slowly losing out to last year’s regional winners from East Norfolk 11- 15, they came back strong to win 15 – 4 against Norwich College and 15 – 9 (Suffolk). In the women’s Doubles, Charlotte and Demi pair together and Sonia and Ella again making their debuts paired up. Ella and Sonia won a tight opener against the fancied east Norfolk pair 15 – 14, but then unfortunately lost out to COLVIC 3 – 15 and Havering 7 – 15 meaning they would not progress to the semi-finals. Charlotte and Demi managed to progress from their pool with 2 wins from 3; 15 – 11 over East Norfolk and 15 – 4 over Chelmsford, losing out 7 – 15 to Hills Road. In the semi-finals Charlotte and Demi came up against a strong COLVIC pairing and lost out 15 – 8, and then lost the 3rd/4th play off by the same score to finish in 4th place overall. In the men’s ¼ finals Scott and Matt faced one of the Hills Road pairs winning easily 15 – 8 to set up a semi-final against the East Norfolk pair they lost to in the group stages. Scott and Matt managed to avenge this defeat winning a great match 21 – 18. This set up a final against pre-tournament favourites Hills Road, and after a slow start the MK boys made a good comeback to win 21 – 12, and claim the regional title. The mixed doubles takes place next week, and we wish those competing the best of luck. The following students were entered: Tom Stanford & Rory Kitchen– Men’s Singles, Charlotte Morgan & Demi Blake-Ladies Singles & Doubles, Scott Carter, Matt Venis, Paul Tompkins & Rahim Amartey –Mens Doubles, Ella Meaning & Sonia Habimana- Women’s Doubles.
