Hello!

Just got back from Chillwell, I am knackered! Had a tough first game of singles against Nicki Chan-Lam but won that tightly in two sets, then my next opponent pulled out so I was straight through to the quarters. Lovely!! Had to play Helena Lewczynska who was always going to be a tough opponent. I lost the first set badly, then played really well to take the second set. Unfortunately I could not keep my standard up in the third set and got battered again. I am a bit disappointed with how I played but it was a mixture of brilliance and disaster so there are positives from it definitely!

Next I had ladies doubles. I had put partner required for a changed so I ended up playing with Dawn Johnson. We won our first game which put us in the quarters (quite a small entry!) and then lost tightly in three to Gemma Whiting and Jo Dix. Considering we had not played together before, we played really well and I really enjoyed myself!

Finally came mixed. Both Tom and I were very tired (tom had played about a million sets) but we pulled through our first one in a tight two setter. Next in the quarters we had a well established pair, and I’ll be honest I expected us to get battered! However we played really well considering we were both tired and it was a really fun game. Lots of smiling in it and everyone was playing well! We won the first set, but unfortunately could not take the next two and they won fairly comfortably. Overall a good weekend, very happy with my performances!

Think that is my last individual tournament of the season, so I am going to begin my Summer training next week! Exciting! Still have not heard what the selection for 6 Nations is, but I think it will be up on Monday so will have to keep my fingers crossed. :)

Hello,

6 nations selection went up today, unfortunately I didn’t make the team or the reserve, but this was as I expected. Am a bit gutted, but it was always going to be tough to get in and in the end 7 good athletes got in before me. Have a new hunger for it now though and I’m starting my Summer Training tomorrow, no more tournaments for me just hard work. Despite not making the team I think I should be proud of what I have achieved this year as it’s been a big year for me.

Just got back from ICT (inter counties tournament). It consists of 40 counties who compete against each other to reveal an eventual winning county. Bucks have never won this event in the 60 years it has been running so it was a tough target. We were seeded fourth and had tough defending winners Yorkshire in our second group. This match was incredibly tight and we won 5-5 on points. This was then followed by two 5-5 wins against Cheshire and Warwickshire which we again took by a matter of points. In the final we beat Lancashire 7-3 in a fantastic finish, leaving Buckinghamshire their first ICT gold medal. Everyone was really pleased and was a lovely way to end my ICT experience. It is always a fantastic tournament and would recommend it to any young badminton players who wish to represent their county. There’s no tournament quite like it!

Also, my news for next season is that I will be changing both my doubles partners. I have really enjoyed playing with Kerri and she’s become such a good friend, but next season I am going to try some tournaments with Raveesha Fernando who is a fellow Bucks player and will be closer to train with. I have also had the recent news that Tom Wolfenden is going to be playing with his old partner, Holly Smith which will be an incredible combination. I will miss playing with him as he’s been quality to play with and wish both him and Kerri the best of luck. I’m on the hunt for a new mixed partner :)