The first LM1 match, and Trinity's first ever match in Leicestershire division 2. The pairs were Dan & Chris, Tom & Khalid and Ian & Shaz. Ian & Shaz were running as late as it warns on the packet.
Dan & Chris left little to report, cruising along and beating their 1st pair 21-11 21-9, their 2nd pair 21-9 21-10 and their 3rd pair 21-10 21-6.
Tom & Khalid had their LM1 debut after a lengthy preseason selection process where they narrowly came out on top, and they didn't disappoint. They came out firing and beat their 2nd pair 21-8 21-9, their 3rd pair 21-12 21-13 and rounded it off impressively against their 1st pair by winning 21-17 21-13.
Ian & Shaz rolled up on the scene after a flawless record for LM1 last season. First they beat their 3rd pair 21-6 21-13, and they finished by beating their 2nd pair 21-14 21-14. In between, they clashed with their first pair in a marathon game, pinching the first game 23-21, but losing the team's only end on the night 19-21 before bouncing back to win the third end 21-18. As expected, it was revealed at the pub that they were "just tiring them out" before their game with Tom & Khalid.
9-0 to Trinity and a great way to start off the season, though there will be tougher opposition in the midst.
LM1 Captain Dan
The 2nd game of the season in as many weeks, and Darren spoke to the LM1 Captain about team selection. None of the advice from such was taken on board, i decided to roll the dice and mix up the pairings.
1st pair - Ben & Phil
Ben and Phil took on the 1st pair, and it was clear the opposition were a strong pair from the off.
Considering this is the first time they have played together in a match, they did pretty well narrowly losing to 17 in both games.
Ben and Phil had better success against the 2nd pair. They won the first game to 15, then went all the way to 24-22 to take the rubber. Luckily at this stage, there were still some feathers for the rest of the team to use, as Ben was showcasing the opposition his reverse slice skills to perfection đȘ¶ đ€Ł
3rd pairing was again won in 2, with games going to 15 & 9
2nd Pair - Alex & Daan
These boys have played together previously with relative success, and for which was shown throughout this match.
They secured a good win against the 3rd pair, winning in 3 ends. (21-15, 16-21, 21-15)
Next up, the 2nd pairing. This was a closer battle, with arguably the 2nd best player playing in the 2nd team. Even so, they were no match for our boys with the pair winning in 3 ends again. (18-21, 21-17, 21-13)
Finally the strong 1st pair.
The first game was lost to 14, but the boys turned it up in the second , narrowly missing out to 19. It was noted that Alex had finally found his smash with a good few points won from such đđ
3rd pair - Darren & Neil
After a few phone calls, I was honoured to secure the services of a true Trinity veteran, the back back bone of the club. But after a few hours, I was reconsidering my choices as the chairman advised he needed a âpower napâ before the game as he was tired đ„±đ - I decided to roll the dice and stick with the chairman đČ
First up it was the 3rd pair. After a slow start, we rolled over them in 3. (21-15, 16-21, 21-15)
Next up the second pair. This was a wake up call after initially losing the first game to 12. After some good advise from Alex, we changed our game plan and took the 2nd game to 16. Neil and Darren started playing some of the best consistent badminton they have played in a long time, taking the final game to an impressive 5. It was noted at this stage that there were no service faults in the 6 games played so far đ€(12-21, 21-16, 21-5)
The finally, itâs Darren & Neil against the 1st pair (with everyone watching except Ben as he decided to destroy more shuttles and make more mess on the courts by taking on one of the opposition at singles)
Darren and Neil decided to go all out and give it a go, and boy they did. With brilliant returns that even some of the best wouldnât expect, some superb shot selection, vocal enthusiasm , cross court smashes against the âweakerâ player⊠we won the first game!! (21-19)
At this point, Neil had played 7 games potentially with another 2 to go đđŽđŒ
We lost the 2nd game due to tiredness and lack of focus. So again, weâre going the distance đ
Unfortunately with the score line 4-2 in the 3rd, Neil had issues with his ankle and with the match already secured, it really didnât matter and we conceded the 3rd end.
Brilliant effort by all, against a team you simply couldnât step off the gas. Proud of you all đ„°
LM2 Captain Darren
Ten hours until LM2 play the first home match of the season against Quorn 1, and Chairman calls to say no courts have been booked đ
After 2 hours of calling every college, school hall, university and leisure centre in Leicestershire, we finally find a home (away) venue at English Martyrs in Leicester thanks to Ian
Seven hours until the match, Ben is called upon to go on a 325 mile round trip to London and advises he might not make it in time..
Captain Darren calls in the experienced Neil as a back up.
Minutes later, Ben calls to say he might make the match, but will let the team know at 15:30 if he can make it or not đ
Clock was ticking, captain was sweating as 15:30 approached. âI can make it for 19:29â Darren rolled the dice and decided to reinstate Ben and Chop the chairman.
With the preparations all finished onto the match:
First pairing of Tom & Khalid issued a warning to Quorn's 2nd and 3rd pairings by beating the 1sts to 16 & 17. Quorn's 1st pairing was very handy, with quality on show, and some very tricky serving.
Khalid and Tom then went on to comfortably beat the 2nd and 3rd pairings with 2 games going to 6 & 8.
Next up Darren and Ben as second pair. 1st game was against Quorns 3rds. After Ben had a 40 second warm due to time constraints, we were ready (ish) to start. With their pair leading 17-16 in the first game. Ben decided to then start upping the gears having been in 8th gear for many hours on the M1. We saw the game through, winning to 18.
Second game more comfortable, winning with ease, and the same can be said against the 2nd pairings of Quorn. Last up we took on the solid 1sts. Ben and Darren lost the 1st game, and just came up short to 18 on the second.
To the 3rd pairing of Alex and Phil.
Again, similar results beating the 2nds and 3rds quite comfortable in the end, but somehow putting pressure on themselves winning to 18/19 in 2 games đ
However, they really upped it against the 1sts narrowly missing out on a win in the first game. Taking it to 20-20 but 2 errors and the game was lost 22-20. Again, in the second game. Just coming up short to 18. But brilliant effort against a solid pair.
Final result being 7-2 in trinityâs favour đđ„ł
LM2 Captain Darren
