THIS week saw a new venture for Uphill Badminton Club with a home friendly against Trident from Kent.

THIS week saw a new venture for Uphill Badminton Club with a home friendly against Trident from Kent.

This was arranged via Jenny Cross, an Uphill member, who is on a year’s placement in the Kent area.

The evening got off to a good start for Uphill with Mark Edwards and Christy Langford taking a hard fought mixed rubber 19-21, 21-19, 21-18 against the Trident pairing of Patrick and Katie.

Matt Cole then helped put Uphill 3-0 ahead with straight set wins with partners John and Mark against the Trident combinations of Jamie and Andy, and Patrick and Jamie.

Trident hit back with a 21-11, 21-14 in the ladies with Jenny and Katie overcoming Becky and Christy. Paul Edwards and John then put Uphill on the brink of victory with a 23-21, 21-16 over Peter and Andy.

Far from being beaten, Trident hit back taking all three of the remaining mixed rubbers with Peter and Jenny looking extremely strong in their 21-11, 21-19 over Matt and Christy.

This left the match poised at four rubbers each with one to go. This was a family affair with Uphill brothers Mark and Paul taking on Trident brothers Peter and Patrick.

Mark and Paul took the first game comfortably 21-13, before Peter and Patrick edged the second game 24-22. In the deciding game of the match Mark and Paul maintained a small gap all the way through, running out 21-15 winners and giving Uphill a thrilling 5-4 victory.

The only players to win all their rubbers were the two team captains, Jenny Cross for Trident and Mark Edwards for Uphill.