|  Spanner in the Works WORCESTER MASTERS –Ashton v West Mercia –Away –4.1.2012 Ashtons Masters team (Adam Moore,Phil Buckley,Ian Tate,Chris Hatton),in the Worcester League played an away game against West Mercia on Wednesday 4 January,the first match back after the Christmas break. Although not expecting to win as West Mercia’s team boasts Premier and first division players In the Worcester Badminton League,and they have not lost a game,or a rubber this season,winning all their matches 6-0. There were several very close games,with Ashtons losing 2 ends to 18,and 2 ends to 16. With just a couple more points,and a little more finesse, Ashtons could have taken one game,and maybe more,and put the spanner in the works for West Mercia. Ashton Badmonton club now have a facebook page. Can you let all your friend know about up and be our friends? Thank you Tom Moore (16) paired up with Stephanie Cartwright-Randle for the mixed doubles at the 65th Worcestershire Restricted County Tournament this weekend.
Ashtons had a good showing of mixed doubles with Jack Devonport and Louise Collins,Adam Dukes and Sarah Collins,Phil Buckley and Helen Bethell (West Mercia),Beth Hendy and brother James.
Most however ended up in the plate of the competion. Tom and Stephanie came up against Adam and Sarah,winning in two games only to find themselves facing Beth and James. These games were close and Tom and Stephanie went on to win in three.
The final however was not so easy meeting Evie Hamer and Adam Bowater,both regular county players. The pair put up a good fight only to lose in two. The vast county experience of Evie and Adam was unbeatable. Helen Bethell (West Mercia BC) and Stephanie Cartwright-Randle (Ashton BC) both county vets palyers,teamed up to compete in the 65th Worcester Restricted Tournament.
Their first round put them against one of the strongest pair in the county Abigail Fullerton and Evie Hamar,which meant that they were in the plate (a straight knock-out).
In the semi-finals they met sister duo Sarah (15) and Lousie (17) Collins (both of Ashton BC) 22-20,21-18 putting them though to the final.
Regular county players Hayley Pugh and Katie Ellithorne were a strong pairing. Helen and Stephanie lost the first game 19-21,pulling back inthe second 21-18. All down to the third game. Back on court a few slight errors and they were 0-6 down. Clawing it back slowly they,put up a good fight only to lose 18-21.
For the pairs first outing in the restricted they were both happy with the runners up position.  Last night Ashton Ladies 1,took on Stourbridge Institute in the first home match of the season. Ashton’s team was Chole Horne (13),Sarah Collins (15),Louise Collins (17) and Stephanie Cartwright-Randle,three up and coming,fast improving Worcester county players of the club.
Although the final score shows the home team as losing 1-5,this does not reflect the closeness of the battle. Games where as close as 18-21 and 21-23,the aces 203-231 show just how close games were and most could have gone either way. The girls played flat out with youth and fitness on there side,unfortunately,this was not quiet enough to win when coming up against the years of playing experience held by the opposition.
Stephanie said,‘The score does not reflect how good the games were’Ashton’s youngster can hold there heads up in the knowledge that they gave Stourbridge Institute a run for their money. With the experience their have gained from this match who really are the winners?
 Several members of Ashton badmonton Club both seniors and juniors enter a Mixed Pairs Tournament on Sunday 14 August 2011,which was hosted by Lye Badminton club.
There were two catagories,‘A’(county players) and ‘B’(none country players),8 teams in each catagory,split in to 2 groups of 4. Each mixed pair played 3 matches per group with the winner of each group going through and playing in a final.
Jack Devonport and Stephanie Cartwright-Randle first outing as a mixed pair won all their matches in the group,to play in the final. They walked away with the runners up trophy in catagory B.
 Last night (Mondaya 1 August) club members from Ashton Seniors paid a visit to Worsdley Badminton Club at Wombourne Leisure Cenre (Ounsdale School). Members from both clubs got stuck in and played continuously from 8.30 till 10.30. With only two ladies there,the games were mostly mens double,with most men experiencing one mixed double (for some this was the first time in years).
Phil Haden (Wordsley Badminton Club) said that he saw that night a ‘fire in the bellies’of his players that had been absent for a while. Stephanie Cartwright-Randle (Club Secretary –Ashton Badminton Club) said that the experience had been worth the effort and everyone had enjoyed the new challenge. Members from Ashtons will be visiting Wordsley on Mondays for the next few weeks as the sports hall at Kingswinford is not available. Overall the experience was a WIN –WIN situation. During the month of August the club has not got use of the sports hall at Kingswinford school. Most club members are still keen to play and have arrange with Wordsley (another Cradley League team) that plays locally at Wombourne Leisure Centre (Ounsdale School) to visit them on their club night. They play 8.30 till 10.30 on Monday nights. Wordsley play with plastic shuttle but are quite happy for us to take our own shuttles to play with. The cost per visitor for the 2 hour session is £4.00. All Ashton players are welcome to pop along. If you are interested then email Stephanie on stefcr@live.co.uk. One of the senior members here at Ashtons is taking on a new challenge in the form of a
bike ride. Not just any normal bike ride but 191miles in 2 days. Stephanie
Cartwright-Randle agreed to help fundraise for Get Kids Going. This is a
charity that helps fund talented disabled athletes so that they can participate
in Paralympic events. Stephanie met Luke Mclanghlin (one of the other cyclists)
from Big Yellow Self Storage at a 4Networking breakfast meeting. The bike ride
takes place on August 20 and 21 next month. They (Steph and Luke) along with 4
other cyclists (all from Big Yellow) will be cycling around London visiting 34
warehouses all within the M25. Stephanie has not done anything like this before
and looking forward to it she commented ‘I hope to raise money for a charity I
am getting more involved with,the plus side is that I will be getting fitter
whilst doing something I enjoy’. If you would like to help Stephanie by making a donation click the following link Get
Kids Going – Donations. | |
