Mapperley Park BC February round up

February sees the start of a hectic last couple of months for the Notts Badminton Association league season. It’s where titles, promotion and relegation are all decided, and Mapperley Park are very much in the mix (both ups and downs!)

The 1st men’s continue to defy all odds, and remain top of the Nott’s Men’s Premier league after two wins in February. Firstly they took on local rivals Carton BC. James Watkins and Andy Shaw taking a maximum in a 7-2 victory. With Suneil Ram injured, the match also saw a debut for Harry Brownlee, taking two rubbers on his debut. The team then took on Byron at MSV. A hard fought 5-4 victory meant that they can’t finish any lower than joint second no matter the result against Rolls Royce in the final league match.
With just two matches remaining, the 2nd men’s required two victories for a perfect record and promotion back to Division 1 after a 4 year absence. They made short work of the first test, against Naseeb, with an 8-1 victory.
The 3rd men’s have two remaining matches to clinch an instant return back to division 2. They took on Unity in the first of these two matches. All three pairs weighing in with two rubbers each for a 6-3 victory.

The 1st mixed had contrasting results in February. A frustrating 6-3 loss at Forest was followed up by a tighter than expected 5-4 home win vs St Giles. The 3rd mixed have an eye on the title, and a 7-2 win at home to local rivals Carlton means just victory at home to St Giles on April 3rd will confirm this. It has been a tough season for Kara Gokova and her 4th mixed team after promotion last season, a 9-0 loss away at St Giles shouldn’t damage their chances of survival, but they will be looking to end the season on a high, away to Boots in their last game of the season.
The 6th Mixed team ended their inaugural season with a 9-0 win away at Safari, meaning just a single loss all season and a chance of promotion.

In the ladies section Mapperley 2nd secured two wins that will strengthen their chance of promotion to division 1. The two Helens secured a maximum in a 6-3 victory away at Beeston valley and a shortened match at home to Chilwell (the opposition only bringing two pairs) ended in an 8-1 victory.
It has been a tough season for the 3rd and 4th ladies teams. The thirds suffering a 9-0 whitewash away at Carlton and the fourth team, unlucky again, with a 5-4 loss away at Boots.