BADMINTON - SENIOR GIRLS
Back Row : Brianna Evans ( Captain ), Ian Johnson ( Coach ) Front Row : Holly Evans , Rani Williams , Yachna Sookdev
This year we had 25 players involved across five teams . My thanks to the captains and parents who coordinated transport to your away games . Due to Covid-19 , the last three rounds of games were not played , so exact placings were not finalised .
Girls A : Brianna Evans ( C ), Holly Evans , Rani Williams , Yachna Sookdev .
Once again the girls had a very successful season in A / B Grade . The key to their success was the depth the team had - all four players were highly skilled . They had gone 39 games undefeated since 2018 . Unfortunately , on 12th August , they suffered their first loss against Taradale A1 . In a very close encounter , both teams won three matches , but Taradale prevailed 157-152 on points . Although the season was not able to be finished , the girls were guaranteed a top three finish at least .
Girls C1 : Zoe Niblett ( C ), Shannon Sawyers , Whaingaroa Collier-Rapaea , Eden Read-Butcher , Reegan Pogai , Alyssa Cruse .
C grade was split into two pools . The girls C1 were in Pool A and had good wins over Flaxmere , CHB Blue , Tamatea C , Hastings Girls C2 , Woodford Black ; Iona 1 , Napier Girls Blue and Sacred Heart C2 . This meant they qualified for the top six . Only two rounds of the top six playoffs happened but this team would likely have finished in the top three . This team of mostly friends all worked really well together . With six players , they needed to ensure everyone got some game time . This was done fairly whilst still ensuring they won their matches .
Girls C2 : Chantelle Vossen-Chong ( C ), Monet Laugham , Emily Hinto , Grace Dalziel , Alexis Ormond , Isla Crawford .
The girls C2 played in Pool B of their grade . They also had six players to organise and give game time . They
did this fairly whilst also winning enough games to make the top six playoffs . Their wins were against Hastings Girls C1 , CHB Gold , Hukarere , Hastings Girls C3 , Karamu C , Sacred Heart C1 and Taradale C1 . In the top six they unfortunately lost their first two rounds but were still guaranteed to finish at least sixth out of 19 teams . A good all-round season .
Girls D1 : Lily French ( C ), Lauren Hunter , Catherine Fulford , Joey Pieterse , Euno Jung .
Eighteen teams entered D Grade so they were split into two even pools of nine . The D1 ’ s were in Pool B and won eight of their nine games to finish first in their pool . This was an excellent achievement and guaranteed them a top six finish . Once again Covid-19 meant that the competition did not finish . However the D1 ’ s were guaranteed a top three finish at least .
Girls D2 : Roxy Fyfe ( C ), Mily Day , Lucia Biddles- Brown , Margaux Hanger .
This group of beginner players were also in Pool B of D Grade . They showed pretty good organisation and commitment , which was crucial with the bare minimum of four players in their team . They won seven of their nine games in Pool B with victories over Iona 3 , Woodford Maroon , Karamu D2 , Napier Girls Junior , Taradale D3 , Taradale D4 and Woodford Silver . This meant they finished 2nd in the pool and had made the top six . In the top six , they lost their first two games and then Covid-19 meant no more games could be played . Despite this , they were guaranteed to finish at least sixth out of 18 teams . This was a great effort .
Mr Ian Johnson , TIC Badminton
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