Stafford and Stone
School Sport Partnership

SCHOOL’S TEAM BADMINTON HITS STAFFORD

December is traditionally the month where the High Schools of Stafford and Stone come together to battle for a place as the Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership's representative at the County Finals. 

Tuesday, 6th December saw the junior teams battle it out for a place at Fenton Manor in January when the Boys competition was won by the team representing years 7, 8 & 9 from Walton High School (right) who won all their matches.

In the girls event the challenge was two pronged – with both Blessed William Howard and St. Dominic’s ‘A’ teams dominating their matches.  After two  5 – 0 victories for both teams it came down to a deciding rubber between the two.  In the decider the match was poised at two rubbers apiece after the singles and two doubles games.  Blessed William Howard won the deciding rubber to take the match 3 to 2 and confirm their team as the overall winners of the girl’s competition.

The 13th December was the turn of the senior teams with representatives from years 10 and 11 coming to King Edward VI sportshall  to find the Stafford and Stone senior badminton champions. The unexpected arrival of teams from Weston Road was off-set by a no show from The Hollies.

The three boys and five girls teams demonstrated a high level of play and matches were close and lengthy at times.  In the Boys competition Blessed William Howard ‘A’ team came out on top, losing only one rubber along the way.  The team now go on to represent Stafford and Stone SSP on 24th January.

The girls competition was much closer with St Dominic’s ‘A’ Team, Blessed William Howard and Alleyne’s High School all potential champions.  As it turned out the deciding match was the third round clash between BWH and AHS.  The schools were once again tied at 2 rubbers each with just the deciding rubber to play.  The final doubles game went to Alleyne’s, but the tie could not have been closer.  Alleyne’s won 3 rubbers to 2, 43 points to 42.  A final victory over St Dominic’s ‘B’ saw Alleyne’s safely home as champions.

Steve Glover, Partnership Development Manager said, "We were delighted with the turnout of schools for this event.  It demonstrates that School Sport continues to be popular across the district.  I was thrilled that St. Dominic's from Stone took part in their first event since becoming new members of the Partnership in November.  A big thank you has to go to all involved in the organisation and good luck to the teams taking part in the School Games County Final in 2012."