The Kāpiti/ Horowhenua badminton team lost both ties in the opening round of the North Island Division 4 competition last Saturday.
Competing in the first tie against Taranaki, the HK team made a good start with Mike Robertson, Dave Greaves and Mark Branagh all winning their mens singles matches to take an early lead. Taranaki then pulled back the last mens singles match and all four ladies singles matches to push ahead.
Mike Robertson and Mark Nicholls then teamed up in the mens doubles to claim another win for HK, but Taranaki overpowered the other mens doubles and both ladies doubles matches to push further ahead.
Needing to win all four mixed doubles to take out the tie, the HK number one pairing of Stephanie Robb and Johnny Snow were the only ones to chalk up a victory, with the other three mixed combinations all losing in close three set matches, leaving Taranaki to claim an 11-5 victory.
The HK team were then well beaten in their second tie against Hutt Valley, with Johnny Snow and Mark Branagh being the only shining lights to win their mens singles matches. Hutt Valley proved too strong for the rest of the HK team, taking out the other two mens singles and all four ladies singles, with Teree Brown being forced to default her match after sustaining an injury.
The HK combination of Johnny Snow and Mark Branagh paired up to win their mens doubles, and that was the last victory for HK, with Hutt Valley taking out the remaining mens doubles, ladies doubles, and all mixed doubles, giving them a 13-3 winning margin.
The Horowhenua / Kāpiti Division 4 and Division 5 teams will be back in action again at the end of May, looking for an improved performance to chalk up their first victories.
Further information about local badminton clubs can be found at www.sportingpulse.com through ‘Member Association Websites’.
