The badminton Mixed Doubles suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Lancaster in Saturday morning’s play, after a thrilling final set tie-break to decide the match. Emotions ran high in the sports hall as Lancaster crept over the finishing line to take the match 5-4, and earn the 4 Rose’s points available.
Opening partners James Davies and Laura Suddaby found their Lancaster opponents difficult to break down, losing the first game 15-21. Some fighting spirit and some fine shots from Davies squared the game with a 21-17 victory in the second set; however a 16-21 loss in the decider capped a poor start for York. The second pairing, the explosive James Hor and Liz Mcfadzean, began as brightly as their home-made Rose’s shirts, taking their first game 21-19. A tightly contested second game was edged by Lancaster who reversed the score-line, however the magnificence of Hor in particular helped the pair win 21-16 in the deciding set to level the match. Baillie Watterson and Rachel Farrington then stepped up to fire York into the lead with a convincing straight sets victory, Farrington in particular exhibiting some deft touches to guide the pair comfortably to victory, 21-10, 21-18. The York lead however was not to last, as struggling pair Davies and Suddaby were left frustrated after a 16-21, 14-21 straight sets loss to a Lancaster duo that performed consistently well on the day.
With the match poised at 2-2, it was Watterson and Farrington’s turn to fall short, beaten soundly 11-21, 18-21 by their opponents. Hor and Mcfadzean however were the backbone of the York effort, and their dominant 21-12, 21-18 victory was particularly impressive to draw the match level at 3-3. Watterson and Farrington couldn’t follow their team mates lead, and again failed to convert, despite a convincing 21-16 lead after the first set. The pair were beaten down ferociously in the sets that followed, leaving York 4-3 down after losses of 8-21 and 9-21.
York however need not fear, as the ever reliable Hor and Mcfadzean were to fire back in style to force a last match decider. After losing their initial first set 15-21, the pair smashed their opponents 21-15, 21,13 and exhibited a truly breathtaking performance. With the match in the balance at 4-4, the tension was unbearable and the atmosphere was electric. With over a hundred strong crowd watching in the sports hall and from the viewing gallery, the out of form pair Davies and Suddaby faced the mammoth task of hauling York over the line. The first set gave little hope of a York win as the pair fell to a comfortable 11-21 Lancaster win, however the fightback in the second set was nothing short of remarkable. A second set decider saw Davies and Suddaby take a 23-21 win, forcing the game and the match into a tense final set. With both sides visibly nervous, the York pairing had a chance to take the match at 23-22 up, however the Lancaster side came from nowhere to plunge a dagger into the hearts of York, and take the set 25-23 to earn Lancaster all 4 points.
Emotions were high and the disappointment was clear, Baillie Watterson commented ‘I’m just gutted. I can’t believe what just happened’. York may have won the tournament overall, but I’m sure it will do little to ease the Roses heartbreak of the mixed badminton squad. The team however can walk away with pride, and perhaps on another day the final few points could have swung in York’s favour.