Pre- match request for a postponement from Hunters was too late to be re-scheduled, so we’re unsure whether they will turn up but surprisingly their standard pairs were turned up for the game. We went with our standard pairing Jake & Kiranam as second pair and Sam (playing his first match for the season) & Daan as first pair. Court is too dark on one side and easy to miss judge the shuttle.
Jake & Kiranam started the match with their experienced first pair ( who are playing for years together) and we got the first game to 14. Jake was fantastic with his changes in the smash angle and the fast court movement from us surprised the opponent. We couldn’t continue this performance in the second game has been lost to 17 on the darker side of the court (let’s blame the lights). We’re up in the last game 20 - 18 is with us, where the naughty opponent stopped the game performing a comedy that he doesn’t want to continue shocked us, rather he broke his strings. Tactical break/wait helped them winning few more points and the game to 23 - 21. Jake & Kiranam won on their second pair comfortably 21 -17, 21 -13.
Daan & Sam has good start with their second pair is an easy win 21 -11, 21 -15 and went for 3 games with their first pair losing the first game, they fought back winning the rubber 19-21, 21-17 & 21-17. Watching the last game , the pair performed excellently with Daan commanding the cross smashes from Net Line and Sam running around the court bringing the shuttle back into the play. Excellent effort from both bringing RM1 to a lead position with 3 - 1 rubbers at half stage.
On the Split : Daan & Jake has to play with the tough pair has challenged the opponent in the first game loosing to 19 - 21 , 16 -21. On other side Sam & Kiranam has to deal with the darker court and won the rubber in two challenging games 23 - 21, 21 - 18 has got the rubber for RM1 winning the match 4 - 2 against Hunter 1. Well done team👏👏
RM1 Captain Kiraman
A last minute change to the team due to an injury, saw a first outing for Jacob in the LM2 squad.
3rd pairing Neil and Darren rolled back the years, and started off strongly against the 3rds, winning comfortable in 2 (21-12, 21-12)
Neil’s pre Match vegetarian spaghetti on bread at work, seemed the ideal fuel to feed his controlled drops and pin point smashes, whilst Darren watched on👌
We then had quite a lot of time on our hands as we watched the other 2 pairings go to 3 on the other courts…
Alex & Daan came good in the end against the 2nds after 2 close long games that could have gone either way, eventually taking the rubber with ease in the 3rd (18-21, 22-20, 12-21)
Phil & Jacob started as 1st pair, taking on the 1sts who from a distance, looked rather handy. Considering this was the first time the pair had played together they put up a brave fight, but eventually losing in 3. (17-21, 21-17, 21-15)
1st set of games done, and LM2 are 2-1 up. I think at this point, we realised the opposition were slightly stronger than we had expected.
Neil & Darren took on the 2nds next, who we felt were the strongest of the 3 pairs. But have no fear, after a long rest, we were ready. With no issues and the only pair to win in 2 against this pair ( 16-21, 12-21)
Alex and Daan took in the 1sts… A brilliant controlled effort from the guys, Daan’s close net control giving plenty of smashing opportunity’s for Alex who accepted such with no hesitation. The smashes sounded superb as they put them to the sword in 2 (20-22, 13-21)
Phil and Jacob taking on the 3rds wanting some kind of revenge for losing the 1st rubber… and boy they did, winning in 2 (9-21, 6-21)
Last round to go, trinity 5-1 up, match in the 💼
Darren and Neil took on the 1sts, and at this point the spaghetti on bread had obviously worn off as Neil tired. His partner decided to work a bit harder (had no choice 😅) helping the pair win comfortably in 3.
Alex and Daan took on the 3rds, again easily beating them in 2. (8-21, 16-21)
Phil and Jacob wanted their moneys worth again, taking on the 2nds and eventually winning in 3. Brilliant effort from this pair considering they lost the 1st game to 17. (21-17, 18-21, 16-21)
Feathers are friendly team, with beers with them after at the local… (with a special guest appearance from our very own Tom)
Feathers 1, LM2….. 8.
LM2 Captain Darren
With us winning the last tournament in 2019 (can you believe it was that long ago?!) the stakes were certainly high for Trinity!
The tournament occured Sunday 27th November at Rugby School Sports Centre in Horton Crescent. 10.00 until 18.00. We entered 4 teams and we were astonished how well everyone played.
Trinity has once again WON the Britannic tournament! We finished 1st, 2nd, 4th and last, bringing home many trophies as well as the wooden spoon!
Another incredible achievement to add to Trinity's ever growing collection 🏆 Most importantly, the Chinese afterwards went down a treat! (Thank you Darren for organising)
A big thanks to Mark and Tracy for organising this wonderful event which was ran very professionally and smoothly!
