Top Badminton | West Midlands Performance Centre

Emerging and Developing can they do it?

Day two of the Inter PC Tournament in Manchester saw players from the Developing and Emerging groups take to the courts hoping to leave their mark with our northern competitors.
WMPC Developing group for the Inter PC event, was being represented by Kishen Lee, Samuel White, Kayleigh Beeston-Smith and Selina Liang.

There were six teams in our group so 5 gruelling matches lay ahead in a warm Manchester veladrome for relatively new pairing against, what turned out to be some strong opposition. The first Match saw us narrowly loose 2-3 with very close games set the bar for the days battle. Although no match was won by WMPC developing group but with close scores of 17s, 18s, 19s says hard fought battles were had in may of the games. Un-triumphant the Developing team set of home with heavy hearts. The day was a great experience and lessons can be learnt and taken to work on for next year and/or similar events.
The Emerging group for the Inter PC challenge saw Rob Spink, Chris Williams, Sarah Collins and Grace Taylor turn out for an epic first match against a the host Manchester PC.

The format or game order was, ladies doubles, mens singles, ladies singles, mens doubles and one mixed. Chris had a gruelling first mens, winning 21-13, 20-22, 26-24. Sarah played ladies singles losing narrowly in the second game 14-21, 21-23. Mixed doubles saw Rob and Grace take their game to 3 and winning 21-16, 19-21, 21-13. Final first match score 3-2 to WMPC. Unknown to us at this stage that was the winning match. Out off the remaining 3 matches saw WMPC play Potteries 1 and 2, opposition that was a little closer to home and better known. Overall some fabulous badminton for those of us on the side line spectating. Triumphant on the day yet Emerging guys walked away with medals and the trophy. On a lighter note each team nominated a player from the opposition for sports person of the match, whose names where put in to a hat and drawn at the end of the competition to win a Babolar racquet. Young Sarah Collins is now the proud owner of one such racquet.

Well done to all the players both Developing and Emerging and thank you parents for your support and the early start.

Are we up for the challenge?

WMPC first experience of the Inter PC Tournament. Run by Steve White of the Manchester PC. Predominately Northern PC entries. So the new kids on the block WMPC enter for the first time. Saturday began with the RAW group entries, we had one team in the Raw League (stronger players). The team could have been made up of five players (either male or female), so Joe Kamara, Rohit Kale, Nurali Rajbhai and Ibraheem Malik four lads, 13 years or younger were representing West Midlands PC. None of the had ever played together before. So this was a first and the other competitors would be the best from other PC’s (cream de la cream).

PC RAW – Rohit, Joe and Nurali

The four lads held their own, although nerves, age, lack of experience all rearing their heads as they participating in the first couple of matches.
With a single group one 9 teams, each match consisted of 5 games to 15 a full schedule lay ahead, for the novice team.

The first two games were narrowly lost 2-3. After playing three games without a victory, heads in the WMPC camp were drooping a little. As they started back after a short break, a little food and some well deserved water they went out with revived energy to win the next two matches 3-2. Matches 6 and 7 proved a little more difficult and we lost with our heaviest defeat, but close game to 12 and 13 against the strongest opposition heads can be held high. Last match of the Inter PC RAW group, going into the last game with 2 games all (scores 12 or 13s both ways), our closes match yet. All on the last game no pressure but, the early morning start, 7 matches and 14 games showed although a good battle was had, we took another defeat.

A very long, hot, tiring day was had by all. Parents now faced a long drive home (minimum of two hours). But with two wins and three close games the four PC lads can hold their heads high after an tough debut outing together.

Thanks go to the moms and dads for their support and making the long journey.

Bookmark It