BATS A Badminton team took on YMCA Kitto in the top of the table clash in division 5 of the Plymouth and District Badminton League. Needing to win three rubbers to take the division 5 title the pressure was on BATS to do the business.
The first of the men's doubles rubbers saw James Cooper and Alan Berry settle quickly to take the first game 15-2. The Kitto players responded with some good play in the second game but could not overcome the BATS pair when they took it and the rubber 15-12.
The second men's doubles rubber saw James Cooper and David Harrington in good form when they easily took the rubber 15-4, 15-4. The third men's doubles rubber saw Alan Berry and David Harrington start off well by taking the first game 15-9 and a 9-3 lead in the second before the Kitto pair came back to overhaul them 11-15 to take the rubber into a third end. Alan and David then turned on the style by taking the third game and the rubber 15-5.
With the first two men's doubles games ending quite quickly it was the first of the ladies' doubles rubbers which gained the team promotion to division 3 when Susie Povey and Heather Cooper took it 15-10, 4-15, 15-9.
After this the whole team settled to enjoy the evening. The second ladies' doubles rubber was once again a three-game rubber with Susie Povey and Glynis Hingston losing the first game 13-15 but taking the next two 15-6, 15-4. The third ladies' doubles rubber saw the only loss of the evening when Heather Cooper and Glynis Hingston fought out a close three-game rubber. They lost 15-13, 8-15, 9-15.
With the match and the division now won the mixed doubles rubber became a time to celebrate. The first mixed rubber saw the mother and son partnership of Heather and James Cooper dominate the Kitto pair and even when James dropped his racket down he managed to get back and complete the point. They took the rubber 15-5, 15-7.
The second rubber saw Alan Berry and Susie Povey determined to win and go through the season undefeated. This they did with a comfortable 15-9, 15-7 win. The third rubber saw the only disappointment of the evening when the Kitto pairing had to concede with an injured player partway through the first game.
At the end of the evening BATS A team had won the match but more importantly the division 4 title. Both BATS teams have won their respective divisions in the league this season and are looking forward to the challenges next season.