In the first report of the New Year, I have some sad news for you all. Peter Wilson from Whittle Badminton Club passed away last weekend after a short illness. Peter had played regular badminton for over 30 years, usually with his wife Irene & was Whittle C’s Captain. On behalf of the league, I would like to offer Irene our deepest sympathies in this difficult time for her & the whole family.

The under 17’s have been at it again! This time they went on the rampage up to York and won a very prestigious team tournament for Lancashire. They beat 7 of the top county sides, some which included England players in their squads, to win the event; an event that Lancashire has never won before! The Mid Lancs players in the squad were Jack James, Phoebe Watson, Stuart Holden, Laura Pallett & Alice Zou. As a league we must be very proud of these juniors who are the new blood in the veins of Mid Lancs….Well done everyone!!!

Even though the closing date has elapsed for the junior tournament, Mark still has a few more slots available if anyone wants to put in a late entry, but make sure you contact him urgently this week so he can plan the groups required on the day. (Sun 30th Jan).

Onto the league; In Division 1, Carlton kicked us off with a 7-11 home defeat to Hawks A. LOTM was Debbie Rigby as she won all her 6 & was backed up by Anthony Pratt & Gail Sinclair who won 5 games each; both losing the other game in setting or a 14 all nail biter.                                         Clitheroe A lost 1-17 to the mighty St. Andrews A. There wasn’t a regular A team player for the home side, so the team was made up from the remaining teams & therefore did very well to take the 1 game against the ‘old school’ Andies side! For one night only, the side came back together… Mark, Ste, Steve… Nicki, Karolyn & Katie. Who lost the 1 game? (K &K) Sheila Perry & Jane MacEwan ‘won’ the 1 game!    Hawks B got thrashed 0-18 at home by YMCA to keep the visitors in a solid 3rd place on the tables.                                                                        David Lloyd B also got beat 2-16 at home to MGS A. The win keeps them still 10 points clear of their rivals, St. Andrews A… but they still have 2 games in hand. Alice Zou & Dawn Hosegood won the 2 games off the mighty MGS…… Well done girls!

In 2, Zodiac got beat 7-11 at home to MGS C, to keep them in the title chase. Danny Dicken once again picked up MOTM award for his 6.  St. Vincents kicked off their new year fixtures with a 14-4 win over MGS D; Kathy Howard & Lyndsey Jennings won all their 6 games to be the best performers on the evening. The result puts St. Vin’s well in the mix for promotion, as 7 points separate 5 teams now & in the next few weeks some of the top teams meet each other…Wow, I can’t wait for those matches!! However for MGS D… it looks very murky!                                                                                                Springfields A retained pole position with an 18-0 home win over Hawks C.  Statically, Clare Ashton was the best player on the evening! J                                                                                                                      Team 2K A ended up with 4 cheap points as they waited for Carlton B to turn up… but they never showed up….Hence, minus 1pt for them.

In division 3, Hawks D took all 4 points at home to Spring C to put keep them a solid 3rd. In the 13-5 win, Chris Smith won all his 6…just!   The hillbilly’s loaded up the wagon & headed down the M6 to Wellfield where they took all 4 points off MGS E.  In the 3-15 win for the visitors, it was Steve Beniston & Kath Coleman at No 1 spot who won all their 6 games to assist in the max pt win to keep them in 2nd.                                                 Flight v MGS F……. no card as yet going to print!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Evergreens A battled with Clitheroe B, but it was the visitors who won the match on the evening 6-12; Chris Smitton winning 5 games.

In 4, Preston College A won the last 4 games to salvage a home draw against Brindle A, in a match that points were crucial to both teams.  Hazel Bradshaw won 5 for College & Jean Berry won 5 for Brindle to be the best on the night & keep 4 points between the 2 teams. Whittle A fought hard against leaders, Hawks E. In an ever so close match, the home side took them all the way to an 8 all classic, but the eventual power of Will Booth & Ann Marsh took its toll in the final set. In the 8-10 victory for Hawks, Will took the honours of MOTM.                                                                                                                                                                               Clayton Crusaders B v Penwortham A….. no card arrived yet going to print,                                                                                                 Battledore consolidated the runners up spot with a 15-3 away win at Team 2000 C. Linda Matthews did her usual damage winning all her 6 games, as did Chris Silverwood to now be 8 points behind the leaders with 2 games in hand & make the title race wide open again!                                                                                              

In division 5, Brindle B had another rough ride; this week at home to Evergreens B where they lost 2-16 & stay firmly rooted at the foot. Springfields D team beat their own E team to remain in a solid 2nd. Bharat Jethwa & Jane Green won the final game to make the overall score 5-13 & ensure the D team got all the 4 points. LOTM on the evening was Maureen Turner…. She won all her 6 games at 3rd Ladies.                                                                                                                            Whittle B took on St. And C at home & became the 1st team in the division to take some games off the mighty team. Nick Carey & Hazel Sach snuck 1 game 17-16 while Carol Heaton & Simon Hardacre won the other game 15-7 to make the final score 2-16,… NOT….. 0-18!                                                                                                                                                                                        Garstang B battled at home for points when they hosted Preston College B. Phil Metcalf &Angie Perry won the final game of the match, 15-9 to snatch a bonus point & stop the visitors running away with all 4 points. In the 6-12 victory for College, Sylvia Lancaster won all her 6 games to be LOTM & pull the team well away from the drop zone, but for Garstang…. they still have to look over their shoulder! 

Only 2 games took place this week in division 6; Hawks F remain joint top of the shop again when they won 16-2 at home to Whittle C.                                                                                                              Evergreens C took all 4 points in a 13-5 home win over Whittle D. Peter Flynn won all his 6 to be MOTM & moves the team into 3rd spot.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Don’t forget, you can all see the latest tables and results as they happen on www.fixtureslive.com