Uphill Badminton Club enjoyed a busy week with several league teams and the juniors in action.

Uphill B hosted Clevedon Feathers B in their first match of the New Year, but lost 6-3.

Robin Curry and Emily Page-Symonds started well, winning the first game before going down in the next two. Billy Fear and Harriet Birt were on fine form, winning easily in two games.

Captain Rob Morray and Becky Falwasser were up against Clevedon’s star man Mike Armstrong and lost in two games. Despite putting up a good fight and with several close rubbers, the three ladies’ matches all went the way of Clevedon.

In the men’s, Robin led the way winning both his men’s, firstly with Billy, before winning with Rob, also in 3 games. Billy and Rob lost the final rubber as Clevedon ended up 6-3 victors.

The C team kicked off 2016 in style winning their first match at the sixth attempt. With Julie O’Sullivan replacing the unavailable Lauren Rickwood, the team got off to a flying start winning all three mixed matches.

Captain Callum Grayson teamed up with Luke Morgan to win comfortably, before both lost out with Glyn in the other men’s.

The crucial win was Bethan Dunning and Maureen, who won the first ladies’ of the season against strong Portishead sister duo of Eloise and Abby Radcliffe, which secured a 5-4 win.

Uphill D took on Clevedon Feathers D in a match featuring eight junior players. With Rhys Davies sitting this one out and Georgia Wood missing, Chloe Palmer came in for her first game of the season.

The first mixed was a nailbiter with Ryan and Anna Collins losing out 23-21, 19-21, 22-20. Tom Miller and Chloe Palmer went down in two in the second mixed. Harry and Heather had another cliffhanger winning out 20-22, 21-17, 22-20 to get Uphill on the board.

The ladies’ matches all went the way of Clevedon with 13-year-old number one Anna Gorham the star of the show and definitely one to watch for the future.

Ryan led the way in the men’s, firstly pairing up with Tom to win, before Ryan and Harry played well to win in three.

The last men’s saw Tom and Harry losing in two, leaving Clevedon as 6-3 winners on the night.

This week saw a six-a-side Under-13 friendly between Uphill and Chew Valley. The match got off to an even start with the singles ending six games apiece.

Zion Chen and Henry shared two games, while Shuo Shuo won his match. Jake was defeated in two games, while Marcus overcame Ella in both games. Vincent split his rubber against Amy, before Louis went down in two to leave the match poised at 6-6.

The doubles were where Chew took charge in some style.

The first six doubles rubbers all went the way of Chew as they stormed into a 18-6 lead. Uphill managed to get on the scoreboard with Marcus teaming up with Zion to win, before Marcus and Shuo Shuo also won in two.

With Chew marched on to win the doubles element 23-5 to run out convincing 29-11 on the day.

Thanks go to Lauren, Callum, Rob and Liz for their help scoring, and as always Will Mellersh for bringing his Chew Valley army down to Weston.

Alongside the Under-13 match, a seven-a-side friendly also took place against a strong Chew Valley team.

The Uphill seven of Aniraj, Ben, Jimmy, Lucy, Charlie, Bethany and Anna all played well and for several got their first taste of badminton match play against another club.

In a 36-game format consisting of all doubles, there was a feast of badminton for all and lots of good badminton and close games on view.

The Chew team of Charlie, Josh, Tom, Dan, Harry, Toby and Mia just had too many weapons on the day. Uphill did have some successes with Jimmy winning three of his games, Lucy, Ben and Anna two apiece and Charlie one.

Chew ran out comfortable 31-5 winners in two solid hours of play. Thanks went to Billy Fear for managing the match/scores on the day.