2007/08 Season:
Both leagues have proposed a change in the scoring, with Newbury already confirmed has switching to the new international system. Let's hope that Basingstoke change over as well, as playing two different systems could become confusing.

from:
9 sets of 'best of 3 games' to 15 points (i.e. 3 pairs v 3 pairs)
(with setting to 15 or 17 points at 14 all)
Scoring, only when your serving
Both players serve (except at start of game)

to:
9 sets of 'best of 3 games' to 21 points (i.e. 3 pairs v 3 pairs)
(after 20 all, the team to get a 2 point lead or the first to 30 points wins)
Scoring, whenever a point is won
Winning serve, whenever a point is won

for more info refer to the Match Play or Download sections

The new scoring system will take some getting used to, especially if not tried out before the matches start. Where as the old system seemed to be biased towards the better, fitter & more consistent players, the new system biases to those with a more consistent serve & not necessarily the better players or so it seems in these early days.

The benefit of the new system will be that all games will come to an automatic conclusion at 29 All, with the next point winning the game for either pair, in theory saving time. The old system could in theory go on infinitely, with all four players continuosly losing serve.

The disadvantage seems that it is more difficult to get a good lead and even harder to claw your way back in to it!!

So far the scoring in most games is working out quite close, generally without the need for the tie break, regardless of the evenness of the pairs.



So Far:
Basingstoke Men's - The outcome of this season, took a big dent when during the first game of the season, Scott injured his ankle & needed to be taken to hospital. He only returned half way through the season, in late January.

The team based on previous season's under performed and struggled to finish mid table. In 3 matches we only fielded 2 pairs and 4 others were without a full team. This goes some way to explaining our position, but is also probably due to our general lack of form & adjustment to the new scoring system.

Here's hoping for a better 2008-2009 season. We will be joined by the Hurst next season whom have won promotion from Division 3 in 2nd place, but only with a bit of luck right at the end of the season.

Basingstoke Mixed - As anticipated the team struggled all season, only fielding a full team in 1 match. Traicy played in only the 1 match, but has now had to retire completely from badminton, due to health reasons. Rosemarie was never fit. Sarah once again helped out all season, but now wishes to call it a day. Erica helped us out for our only match with a full team, but subsequently was hit in the eye on a club night... and has since had 2 operations. That leaves just Sue...

Unfortunately it is extremely unlikely we will be entering a mixed team next season.

Newbury Men's - The team finished 3rd from bottom and remain in Division 2 for a 5th season. The team could possibly have finished a place higher in 4th, but for most of the season, the results were affected by the absence of Scott (missing for 8 of 11 matches).