UPHILL Badminton Club had a busy week with four league teams in action.

UPHILL Badminton Club had a busy week with four league teams in action.

The A team, playing their third league match of the season, won 7-2 against a depleted Nailsea and Backwell side. With half of last year's team not playing this season, and two of this year's side unavailable, they were only able to field two men, meaning Uphill were 3-0 up before the match started and Uphill's Matt Cole had no games to play.

The first two mixed were won comfortably by Uphill, Becky Matthews and Paul Edwards winning 21-8, 21-8, then Nicky Mills and Mark Edwards winning 21-19, 21-12.

With Mark and Paul then cruising the only men's rubber, 21-8, 21-3, this left Uphill 6-0 up with the three ladies to play. This was always going to provide the toughest test of the evening with two evenly matched sets of ladies.

The first ladies was won by Nailsea with Sharon Quantick and Nicola Caulfield beating Becky Matthews and Nicky Mills 24-22, 12-21, 21-14. The next ladies went Uphill's way with Becky Matthews and Becky Halfpenny prevailing 21-14, 21-13. The last ladies was again a close battle with Nailsea edging it 21-13, 17-21, 21-18.

This leaves Uphill the early leaders after three games, with an eight-point lead having dropped just three rubbers from their opening three matches.

The D team, playing their first home game, got their first win of the season with a fine performance against Nailsea and Yatton B.

Rachel Harding and Robin Curry got the night off to a good start with a 21-17, 21-18 win. Nailsea then hit back, winning the second mixed against Claire Garrett and Grant Kelly 23-21, 9-21, 21-19. Uphill then edged back ahead taking the third mixed, 21-10, 19-21, 21-12, with a good performance from Fiona Singleton and Dave Barnes.

Uphill then took control winning all three men's, with Robin, Grant and Dave starting to gel and work better in partnerships with one another.

The first ladies was won comfortably 21-17, 21-14 by Rachel and Claire. The closest ladies was then won by Nailsea 13-21, 30-29, 21-15 against Rachel and Fiona, despite Uphill having several match points in the second game.

Claire and Fiona then rounded the evening off in style with a 21-12, 21-14 victory.

Robin Curry and Dave Barnes were the only two to win all their rubbers.

The E team had another resounding home victory at home to Avonvale, winning 9-0. Again unfortunately Avonvale were only able to field two men so Uphill started the evening 3-0 to the good, with Sonny Topham not getting any legitimate games.

Uphills number 1 pair of Kate Robinson and Andrew Potts started well, winning 21-17, 21-14. Caroline Higgins, making her debut, partnering Billy Fear then won the other mixed rubber 21-15, 21-9.

Uphill's youthful ladies trio of Kate Robinson, Emily Look and Caroline Higgins played extremely well against Avonvale's more experienced line-up. They took all three rubbers in straight games with their extra strength and fitness showing up well.

The only men's rubber was a one-sided affair with Andy and Billy winning 21-11, 21-6. This takes Uphill into second spot in the league, four points behind Portishead with a game in hand. With tougher games to come, Uphill's youngsters are progressing nicely and are hopeful of a top two spot this season come March.

The Men's team had another away match to Winscombe which produced another evenly matched contest. Robin Curry, Steve Emerson, Steve Robinson and Nigel Judge played well and were just edged out on the night losing 4-2. Robin Curry was the star of the evening, winning Uphill's two rubbers in partnership with Steve Emerson and Steve Robinson. With many of the night's games being close, it was an enjoyable match which could have gone either way.