Club Report 2019/20

The 2019 / 20 season was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic but Rugby Youth Badminton Squad was finally able to hold the end of season tournaments on Sunday September 20th. The top 5 players on the ladders for each group competed in a round robin event.

In the junior tournament two players finished with two games each, so points were used to decide the winner. Jujanna Deshpande won the trophy with 44 points, just 5 ahead of the runner up, Sriram Chakka. Lauren Tosh and Saaketh Parvath were joint 3rd just 10 points behind the winner. Some close fought games.

Once again points were needed to separate the top two in the intermediate group. Steven Sureshbabu took home the Mark Gallagher Memorial Trophy, edging out the runner up, Hollie Duckett, by just 6 points. Ruby Slatcher, Emma Bouvier and Isha Pophali provided stiff competition, their places separated by just 15 points.

Dan Burgess won all his games to retain the Gloria Hudson Rosebowl awarded to the winner of the senior ladder. He is only the second player in the history of this competition to win 3 times. There were numerous long and exciting rallies but he always managed to come out on top. In second place was Rees Moor, with the deciding game against Dylan Mistry ending 21-20.

Three thrilling contests, played in a good spirit, with players giving their all and certain to be repeated next season.

Awards for the Most Improved player in each of five groups went to Abigail Bowers, Advaith Krishna, Harry Cutler, Steven Sureshbabu, and Jonathan Tao.

Trophies, medals and certificates were presented by head coach John Richards.