TODMORDEN Badminton Club is entering a crucial few weeks as it bids for league and cup glory in the Nelson and District League.
Both mens and mixed teams are well placed in their divisions as the season reaches its climax and both appear to be favourites to gain promotion to the first division for 2010-2011.
The mens team, under new captain John Appleby, is contesting its th
ird season with a revamped team including the outstanding youngster Richard Hollows, plus stalwarts Stuart Horsfall, Ian Miller and newcomer Paul Hackett.
Their record is three wins from four matches against strong Burnley and Townley teams in the bid to return to the top flight. Todmorden currently lie second with a game in hand and, with Hollows on board, will have an excellent chance of winning their remaining two games to win the division.
Meanwhile the mixed team, led by Steve Larkin, has entered the league for the first time this season and is taking their division by storm.
With one match still to play Todmorden stand 36 points clear of nearest rivals Nelson B, which means that Nelson will have to take maximum points from their two games in hand, plus defeat Todmorden at Ewood Lane this Friday to finish top of the league.
The mixed team has benefited from two very strong pairings in its inaugural season.
Sandra Simpson, winner and runner-up in the league's ladies tournament for the last two seasons, partners former men's captain Phil Howitt, whilst the powerful Lois Verdeyen has formed a strong partnership with Larkin.
In addition Simpson and Verdeyen are proving an unbeatable mix in the ladies doubles match which finishes each tie.
The mixed team is also proving unstoppable in the Sherratt Cup.
Pam Wadsworth and Sue King have been added to the squad for cup games and the team beat holders Gawthorpe B in the quarter-finals before facing Nelson again in the semis.
The cup is played under a unique handicap system, where every rally contested throughout the tie counts towards the final points tally, and then a handicap, contained inside a sealed envelope, is added to the overall score.
None of that could stop Todmorden from beating Nelson by the nail-biting margin of 236-233 points and they will contest the final in April.
Todmorden Badminton club meets on Friday between 8 and 10pm at Todmorden Sports Centre on Ewood Lane.
New members with some experience of the sport are always welcome. For further details contact Alan Shaw on 01706 813985 or Jim Toye on 01706 813595, or just turn up on the night.