QUEEN’S Badminton Club members were celebrating last week following another big win when they beat Otter Vale in the Exeter and District Knockout Competition.

The 2016 champions had a high handicap of -14, while Otter Vale started all games on +7. Over 10 games of singles and doubles, Queens eventually won, by 45 points.

Queen’s player, Kate Povey, said: “Playing with such a high handicap was really hard. Every point matters, and a string of errors will lose you the game. We had to really concentrate at every stage of the match.” 

This follows many individual successes in recent weeks.  

In a Devon Senior Silver Tournament held at Torquay, Zac Philips reached the Men’s Doubles semi-final with partner Henley Ngan (Avon) and Jamie Roberton was runner-up with his partner, Sam Owens (Ringswell).

Sarah Preece reached the Ladies Doubles semi-final playing with Leanne Debenham (Hampshire) and her sister, Hannah Preece was runner-up with her partner Amy Reddaway (Somerset).

In the Mixed Doubles Hannah Preece got to the semi-finals with Jason Plant (Wiltshire).

Many Queen’s players reached the quarter-finals in this tournament too.

On the same weekend, Bronya Pike came home from the Cheltenham Under 17s Gold Tournament victorious in the Girls Singles.

Young Queen’s player Nick Jones is competing well recently. In the Jersey Open Nick came third in the Under 13s and Under 15s Singles and Boys Doubles.

Nick’s mother, Jo Jones, commented: “What I really love about Queen’s is how the ‘older’ players really encourage and inspire the younger ones!”

A squad of Queen’s players travelled to Hampshire for the Under 13s Tournament where they didn’t disappoint. Nick Jones won gold in the Boys Singles and came third with his partner in the Boys Doubles.

Such depth in the Queen’s Club of quality youth players is reflected in the Devon Under 15s squad.

Four Queen’s girls under 13 have been selected to play in the under 15s: well done to Grace Lee, Amy Housley, Lauren Horsnell and Emilia Partridge.   

On the International front, former Queen’s Club Captain Ben Watkins travelled with the England badminton team to Russia in February having been appointed as England Junior Physiotherapist.

Ben has coached at the Exeter Performance Centre and has played regularly for Queen’s Mens A Team.

Shortly before leaving for Russia he dropped in on a coaching session at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre where players enjoyed the extra coaching and support that Ben was happy to give that morning.