Rugby Mens 1 had their first outing of the year on Wednesday 4th, so with no club night to work off the mince pies and turkey, they were glad to have kept a vigorous training routine running through xmas and new year... I just hoped their performance on court would be as masterful as their drinking at the pub after!
the captain made a late change to the roster and called up a pair from our Rugby second team, hoping their winning ways would rub off... It looked like a savvy decision as both pairs took their first rubbers and Trinity went into a confident 2-0 lead.
The pairs then felt that it would be disheartening for Hunters to lose before the split, and on the swap over, despite valiant efforts both Trinity pairs lost to level the game at 2-2!
The split was definitely a worry, as we had split with a clearly stronger pair, and if we wanted the win, we had to hope that Hunters did the same (and looking at the scoresheet would have ruined the anticipation), or else the match had a 3-3 draw written all over it.... We were rewarded as their split mirrored ours, and it looked like both teams were set to try for the win.
The 2's & 4's match was a battle of tactics, trying to pick out the opposing weakness and capitalise, as the pairs matched up pretty evenly. Unfortunately it was our pair that came out defeated in 2. The 1's & 3's provided the hardest fought rubber of the match, with our stronger pair coming back from a game down, to level the rubber at 1-1. Knowing that the cost of losing the last game also cost us the match, their resolve was steely. A battle of long rallies and great badminton, and even a dive in desperation to get the shuttle back, eventually allowed the dust to settle on a 2-1 win for Trinity, levelling the match at 3-3.
Good work team, a strong performance by Phil and Chris on their first outing in the 1st division!
- Ben C
So, with a new year on us already, a new website up, I thought I'd take a moment to re-live the season to date outside of the Facebook and Whatsapp history...
The new Rugby Mens 2 have had a great start to their season, running away undefeated in their division. Wins against Rugby Youth, Harris, Hunters IV & St. Philips IV, all on the away leg, dropping only a single game so far, means they are look almost certain to finish top of the table
Rugby Mens 1 has had a mixed start to the season, the first match was hard fought ending in a draw (St. Philips II), followed by several close matches ending in defeat (Lutterworth, Hunters I & II), and a huge upset defeating Lutterworth (Thanks Dan!) before going into the xmas break. With half the season gone, the team are aiming to finish the season strong.
New Hall have only played three matches of their first season, but coming away from 2016 with overall positive 2-1-0 results, and sitting happily mid table. Their last win of the year was a crushing 17-1 victory, which may have been prompted by everyone wanting to get off for a drink after! I'm hoping we see more of that form in their first match of the year this week.
Leicester Mixed have had a slow start so far, with just two matches, both against Mundella who struggled for players on both occasions. The team did what had to be done though, and took home victories in both cases, putting them into a much more hectic 2017 undefeated, but a number of games behind in the tables.
Leicester Mens have been stricken by injury and player availability all season, but have been grinding out results at the start of the season, with wins over Enderby and Meltonshire. We played Croakers twice in the same month, both sides taking their home ground victories. An unfortunately loss on the return leg at Enderby sees the team 3-2 in a division that looks too close to call at the break.
Overall, an average start to the season, but the club is optimistic that we can straighten ourselves out and get back to our normal form and bring home more some more wins this year!
- Ben C
Club Secretary