BAT's Badminton Club A team completed the first half of the season with a convincing victory against West Tamar recently to lead Division 4 of the Plymouth and District Badminton League by nine points.

Leading into the match BAT's made a tactical change by bringing in James Cooper to the team after his return from Swansea University. A change was also made to the ladies with Susie Povey coming in for the absent Diane Philips.

In the first of the men's doubles rubbers James Cooper and Alan Berry took a little time to settle into a routine with most initial rallies ending up going against the server. Once they settled James and Alan took the first game easily 15-6 then played steadily to take the rubber and the second game 15-12.

The second men's doubles rubber turned out to be one of the hardest fought with James Cooper and Chris Woodruffe finding the net on too many occasions. The first game went to setting with James and Chris just coming out on top 17-15. The second went the way of West Tamar quite easily 8-15 which meant that all the pressure was back on James and Chris. The third was scrappy from the outset with the West Tamar pairing taking the early lead 3-8 then 7-11 before James and Chris pulled things back to lead 13-11. There ensued a tense period of play from both pairs until James and Chris took the game and the rubber 15-13. The third men's doubles rubber saw Alan Berry and Chris Woodruffe settle things again by taking the rubber 15-7, 15-10. The men had kept their 100 per cent record in rubbers and had taken the three rubber points.

In the first ladies' doubles rubbers Heather Cooper and Glynis Hingston lost a close and long lasting rubber. None of the points were easily lost or won with some rallies lasting half a minute or more.

In the end the BAT's pair went down 14-17, 10-15 but in discussions afterwards the high standard of play was commended by all the players.

In the second ladies' doubles rubber Heather Cooper partnered Susie Povey. It was Susie's first match for the A team but her Devon County experience at U16 level soon showed. Both Heather and Susie started to control the rubber and ran out easy winners 15-8, 15-7.

The third ladies' doubles rubber saw Glynis Hingston and Susie Povey dominate the West Tamar pair in a 15-0, 15-4 win. The ladies had taken a well deserved two points from the rubbers.

With only the mixed doubles rubbers to play BAT's knew they were in with a chance of winning a notable victory against one of the best teams in the division. The first mixed doubles rubber saw Alan Berry and Glynis Hingston have a difficult start but they took control to take it 15-8, 15-9.

The second saw mother and son, Heather Cooper and James, play together in the league for the first time this season. After taking time getting used to playing with each other again they settled and took the rubber 15-11, 15-8.

All the pressure was now on Chris Woodruffe and Susie Povey to take the third and final mixed doubles rubber which they did convincingly 15-9, 15-8.

What had been looked upon as a difficult match turned into an early Christmas present for the BAT's players with a notable eight rubbers to one win over one of the best teams in the division.