West Reading Badminton Tournament Update #11

Well I did it, I managed to win back the medal yesterday evening. The return of Kim, 6 hard fought matches, great shots played all round and a real sense of enjoyment. I really enjoy playing with these guys, it's great fun, a real challenge and it's good to have friends outside of the usual circles.

Next week there will be a new champ as I am unable to join the chaps due to being at prayer and fasting but I look forward hearing who that new champ is!!!

West Reading Badminton Tournament update #10

Nearly a week ago Nev, Richard and Andy (Kim's stand-in) met to play again for the weekly medal. The medal has been changing hands regularly now so it remained to be seen if Nev would achieve his prized goal of becoming the third different winner in as many weeks, or would Andy win for the first time.

Well after some entertaining games it came down to a play off between Richard and Nev. Once again this was close but Nev came through to take the medal. It is now several weeks since I last had the medal and I am starting to become a little concerned. I am hoping that this week will be the week that I once again win through, but I am not holding my breath, the other guys are playing so well.

there is a new champ and his name is Nev!!!

West Reading Badminton Tournament update #9

A new week a new champ, from the brilliance of Kim the week before to the resilience of Richard this week (that's not saying he didn't play well!)

This week we were always going to have a new champ as Kim was unable to play due to work commitments - this therefore paved the way for Nev, Richard, our guest Andy or myself to take the medal.

Although there were some tight games on the night, the consistency and periodic excellence of Richard lead him ton emphatic victory, winning 5, 3, 3, 1 on the night. He served well, returned well and anticipated shots much better than any of us and fully deserved his victory.

I still have so much to learn about this game and am enjoying every minute of finding that out!!!

For those who might be interested and by request of my fellow players here is an updated table:

Nev 4
Scott 13
Kim 1
Richard 8

I anticipate some changes in this over the coming weeks, especially when Kim returns in two weeks time.

However for now, there is a new champ and his name is Richard!

West Reading Badminton Tournament update #8

There is a new champion and one who whole heartedly deserves it!!! Kim was outstanding. I would say that the rest of us played to our normal standard but were outplayed by a sharper, quicker witted opponent. His shot selection was immaculate, his timing was impeccable and his net play was exquisite. I look forward to seeing this continue as it will force the rest of us to improve.

There is a new champ and his name is Kim.

West Reading Badminton Tournament update #7

After the Summer holidays it was once again time for the four intrepid shuttle warriors to go forth onto the wooden floor arena that is the Rivermead leisure centre. As I arrived a few moments late you could already sense the tension in the air. Over the past three weeks, there had been two victors, Richard once and Nev twice.

I could see as I approached our court that Nev was focused, he had no intention of relinquishing what he felt was rightfully his, the medal; Kim was certain that this would be his week and Richard looked like he was just toying with the shuttle. I had resolved in myself that none of these men would intimidate me and I proceeded top quietly do up my shoe laces and stepped onto the court. After an absence of three weeks would I still be able to play, I was thinking and I could tell that the boys were also.

All I can say is that the badminton that followed was intense. The first game, as an example went to 26-24, other games went to 24-22 and 22-20. This was not an evening for the faint hearted. All four of us were placing our shots all over the court, smashes were fast and drop shots were tight to the net. As I stood at the end of the last game 21-20 I couldn't help be feel that all of us had come back ready to show what we could do and so it was with relief that I had the medal placed round my neck by a smiling Neville, knowing that I had had to work hard for the medal in winning all 6 games.

However I do believe that tonight's winner was badminton!!!

West Reading Badminton Tournament update #6

Another week, another go at the medal. Richard arrived on court this week with medal proudly placed around his neck. He was not going to let it go without a fight! The greatest fight however was against the conditions. It was incredibly humid within the hall and stepping outside to get some air didn't really help. Water was consumed, towels were used and I even ate a small banana in between the second and fourth games.

it is embarrassing to say, but factual, that I won all six of the games that were played last night. It was one of those one off evenings when everything just seems to go right. The cross court drops, the smashes and the low serves. When usually the shuttle would go fractionally out, they were hitting the lines, that sort of thing! Richard, Nev and Kim all more than played their parts. Particularly Kim. His instinctive reactions keep us all on our toes. When he is on form at the net it is almost impossible to get anything past him. The same can be said for Richard, particularly if you put it high. He has an excellent kill that is impossible to return. Nev is the back court boy who can change angles at the drop of a hat and smashes with venom. It is hard to think that any of us win because I think that we all play at a similar standard.

Still I shall enjoy the fact that for this week I can genuinely say, I won every game and the medal is back in my possession!

West Reading Badminton Tournament Update #5

Back to it tonight at Rivermead after a weeks break. last week saw Nev win the meal although it was in a play off with Richard AFTER Richard had already played one singles match!!! Still, that's the rules!

Tonight, Richard obviously wanted to make amends because he walked away with the medal after winning 5 out of 6 games. His general play was to his normal standard, but once again he went on some extraordinary serving runs. Ben was also worthy of mention tonight. Ben is Kim's son who usually plays and he has a rocket of a smash. However, this evening it was not his smash that impressed but his ll round court awareness. Nev and I both played well but couldn't keep pace with Richard. Still there is always next week.

More than just badminton!

Karen, Tom and Pete all joined me for badminton tonight over at Meadway Sports Centre. It's a night that I will probably want to forget in terms of my playing capabilities but I will remember the fact that each of the guys that came with me are worthy of mention. In conversation with one of the club members, she commented on the fact that we have a quality bunch of people with us at our church. She is right, we do.

I was so proud of them when I heard her say that. My friend at badminton now has a favourable view of our church because these ambassadors of Christ are living in such a manner that they are finding favour in the circles that the are socialising with.

They are gracious in defeat but more importantly in victory; they encourage their team mates and congratulate the play of the opposing team; they are friendly and interested in having conversation with other members of the club. When frustrated they do not take it out on anyone, they show self control and gentleness. Although they want to win, they don't consider winning more important than people.

They probably will never know what impact they are having, but those at the club are enjoying having them around and who knows what God will do. It feels a bit like just walking across a room (see book by Bill Hybels in case you are wondering!) I don't go to badminton to convert everyone (that's not my call) but I do go to enjoy playing a game that I love and I go to display Christ in that arena. The guys who come with me from church are most definitely doing that.

Energy expended

There is nothing to say this week regarding badminton as I am in Brighton. Usually Wednesday would mean that I try to retain the West Reading Badminton medal, however yesterday was very different. Instead of expending energy running around a court I expended energy by:

1. Keeping up with the 30 plus people we have down here from RFC at conference. We don't want any left behind and feeling alone in the crowd!
2. Supporting Sean at his special interest meeting for Amsterdam - this meant wearing a t-shirt and pointing people in the right direction as well as helping people catch up with the news
3. Worshipping our King to some of the new songs that have been written over the past year as well as some old hymns set to new rhythms
4. Listening to very fine preaching from David Stroud, David Devenish and Mark Driscoll. All three were challenging but Driscoll's had my mind racing!
5. Meeting with Steve, my brother-in-law, after the last meeting to catch up

In all I the energy I used yesterday was very different to that of rushing around a badminton court, but I felt stimulated, enriched and of course just as tired!!!

West Reading Badminton Tournament update #4

A slightly different four last night. Kim was unable to be there and so his son, Ben, ably filled in for him. The evening started brightly for the experienced pairing of Neville and Richard and they made short work of beating Ben and I. The next two games saw my game improve slightly and when paired with Nev and Richard I was able to get 2 wins under my belt.

Game 4 was the rematch of the first game. Ben and I resolved that this was going to be a win. Ben hadn't quite got a win and so this was to be his game. However Richard and Nev had other ideas. They took an early lead but we kept within striking distance. At 20-18 it looked like experience had the won the day again, but two wild returns of serve from Nev and Richard respectively (and somewhat unusually!!) meant that the game went to 20-20. Ben and I then lost serve - score now 21-20. Advantage, as it were, once again back in the other court. A short rally and we were back in it as the shuttlecock flew into the net. 21-21.

Ben and I managed to serve out for the match and Nev and Richard both provided me with 2 more wins to ensure that the medal, for the fifth week, stayed with me. Next week I will be in Brighton at the Newfrontiers Leadership Conference, Together On A Mission, and so I shall miss the games. I therefore will officially lose the medal next Wednesday. At the moment I lead the table with 8 wins, but now I will have to try and win back the medal. However if I know Nev, Richard and Kim, whoever wins next week will not be quick to give it up!!!