Herts Juniors Help Raise the Olympic Flag at Herts Sports Village

Herts County juniors Emily Westwood and Mark Sadler helped raise the Olympic flag at a handover ceremony at Herts Sports Village, 24th August.

As part of the celebrations taster sessions were provided by sports including badminton by Graham Hall, Gill and Dave Bartlett. 

At the UK Schools Games on Sunday 1st September Emily Westwood and Sam Dobson won the first gold medal of the tournament in the mixed doubles courtesy of a walkover after Daniel van Hooijdonk and Sarah Thomas from Wales were forced to pull out of the event through injury.

Gobi Ranganathan Defends his Singles 4-Nations Title in Cardiff and Comes 2nd in Level and Mixed Doubles

Gobi signs a young competitor's T shirt at Herts Youth Games in May

Gobi reports on the Welsh  tournament w.e. 16^th August : "I took part in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles with fairly successful results – 2 Silvers (Men’s and Mixed Doubles) and 1 Gold (Singles). [Ed: a bit more than fairly successful!]

Unfortunately my regular doubles partner was unable to compete so I had a substitute player, Michael Smith from Northern Ireland, alongside me. We finished as runners up losing 2-0 (scores: 15-8, 15-8) in the final.

I took part in the Mixed Doubles event for the first time and was partnered by Sharon Jones Barnes, a newcomer to disabled badminton. We finished 2^nd in the group stage and progressed to the Semi Final where we played the winners of the first group. We won 2-0 (scores: 21-4, 21-15) and progressed to the Final. Once again, we were runners up in this losing 2-0 (scores: 15-8, 15-10).

 In the singles event, I won all my group games winning 21-1 (v Michael Smith [Northern Ireland]), 21-9 (v Steve McGrath [Wales]) and 21-20 (v Damien Hallett [Wales]) and faced Damien Hallett again in the final. I was 14-18 down in the group game so to win 21-20 was pleasing to say the least!

 I won the final against Damien 15-8, 15-9 to retain the singles title I won in Scotland back in April.  Next up is likely to be the Irish leg at Lisburn (near Belfast) in November so I’ll be training hard for that."

A Fantastic Effort by Herts’ Gail Emms and our Team at  Beijing

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Gail Emms born in Hitchin and coached by local coach Bill Goode for eight years, six of them at the Goode Academy at the University of Hertfordshire, represented England at the Beijing Olympics.  Gail, who is ranked No.6 in the world for mixed doubles, played mixed and women’s doubles.  She also plays regularly for Herts County 1^st Team that gained promotion to the BADMINTON England Premier A division this season.

Gail's other achievements include;

Olympic Silver Medal MXD 2004, winning China Open MXD 2005 and All England Open MXD 2005, Commonwealth Gold MXD 2006, World Champion Madrid 2006

See; detailed CV on BE website: BBC Gail's Olympic Run-up Blog:  

Malcolm Jellows, Herts New Development Officer, is  Welcomed at  HSBA AGM - His First Official Event

Malcolm Jellows started employment with BADMINTON England as Herts new Badminton Development Officer, on 16^th June (email: malcolmjellows@badmintonengland.co.uk, Mo: 07725 413547).  

He attended HSBA AGM on 19th June at Birchwood Leisure Centre, Hatfield, and got a warm welcome - and a very good introduction to the workings of this our junior-focused organisation. As well as the comprehensive officers' reports, examples of dedicated voluntary work for junior badminton in the county were very evident.

HSBA AGM Continued from column on the left...

Byron Perry (L) and Malcolm Lumb (R) receiving thank you presents from HSBA Chairman, Ken Winchester.

Byron Perry has completed some 30 or more years in various official capacities particularly the coaching of Gazelles JBC which is now wound up and Malcolm Lumb who completes some 12 years as HSBA Treasurer.

Rhian Blowers, Young Coach of the Year, receiving the shield from HSBA Chairman Ken Winchester.  Proposers, Marion and Duncan Conway, wrote: 'She has been a regular attender at both Under 13 Squad practices (2 hours per week) and at Swifts JBC (2 hours per week).  However at Swifts she has often stayed on for the rest of the evening ( a further 2-3 hours). She has regularly led group practices with considerable enthusiasm and inspires the players to perform beyond their normal standard.  

Primary Teachers Coaching Course - a Great mix of Teachers and Herts Coaches

19th June saw 5 Primary school teachers and 5 coaches attend the 7-hour BE Teachers Coaching Course, Primary, lead by tutor, Sue Rutson at Hatfield's Jim McDonald Centre.  The mix of teachers and coaches provided some very useful cross-fertilisation of ideas.

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Participants at Badminton for Teachers Primary course, Hatfield: tutor, Sue Rutson, centre of front row. Click on photo for a larger copy.

Rhian Blowers, far L., and Steve Willis, far R., provided some excellent examples of correct stroke movement - click here for photos of some of the stroke moves.

Herts 45+ Games,18th June at Herts Sports Village

Some 30 badminton players attended the morning taster/coaching session and 16 entered  the Social and League tournaments in the afternoon. Jim Robson and Doug Clark, Level 2 coaches from East Herts were on hand to give hints and tips in the morning and stayed to help Gill and Dave Bartlett and Rhian Blowers organise the afternoon tournament.

Social and League tournaments Medal winners with HSP organiser Fiona Deans (2ndR FR) : 

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It was an excellent first 45+ Games Badminton Tournament sponsored by Herts Sports Partnership and organised by Fiona Deans.  All the better for being free of charge with lunch included!  See more photos - and a more comprehensive write-up in the next HBA Newsletter, due early July.

Tom Burton, Our Badminton Development Officer, Leaves Herts with a Very Significant Legacy

Tom Burton leaves badminton in Hertfordshire with a tremendous legacy of worthy development on Friday 2nd May.  Not only are our organisations - Herts Badminton Association, Herts Schools Badminton Association and our Badminton Herts Development Committee - extremely grateful for the amount and quality of his work but innumerable grass roots players from the youngest to the oldest have benefited from the programmes and funding that he has initiated and progressed.  We wish him all the very best in his new job as Team Leader of Sports Development in St Albans.  As he says "I'm looking forward to staying in sports development but working from a different angle". 

A replacement BDO was sought by BADMINTON England and Badminton Herts - see Malcolm Jellows annoncement on Main page.

Herts Youth Games 2008

Nine Districts' teams competed in the badminton event of Herts Youth Games on Saturday 10th May at Herts Sports Village. Each team event comprised boys' and girls' singles and doubles and mixed doubles with 108 games in all.

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The sub-county event funded by Sport England, Herts Sports Partnership and the 10 Herts Districts gave many children their first experience of a badminton tournament. Click here for a report and more photos.

Senior County 2nd Team Triumphant!

With three national league titles to their credit already this season the senior county 2nd team added the Inter County Championship Division 1 playoff finals at Milton Keynes over the weekend 26th & 27th April. See full report and detailed results.

With three wins over Lanarkshire (Scotland), Kent & Wiltshire the team now move in to Premier B next season.

 Full Squad

 Ladies – Rachel Howard (Hertford), Charlotte Willis (WGC), Charity Barnes (Hatfield), Katie Comras (Little Heath), Kate Lester (Letty Green), Jo Goode (Tewin) & Helena Lewczynska (Radlett)

 Men – Jon Austin (Rebourn), David Westwood (Flamstead), Brian Lockie (Rickmansworth), Jim Teale (Watford), Andy Walden (Hertford), Peter Gooden (Kimpton) & Richard Southward (St.Albans)

   Paul Widdicombe, Chairman of (County Squads) Selectors

    See also the Senior County Teams End of Season report: 

Charlotte Willis County Player of the Year!

Charlotte Willis County Player of the Year receiving trophy from President Bob Walsh at end of season celebration.

Hertfordshire Senior County Badminton Teams Clinch Two Further National League Titles

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Hertfordshire 4^th team: Inter County Championship Division  4b Winners 2007/8 Season

The 4^th team under the management of Colin Walker overcame title challengers Suffolk 2^nd team at the Hertfordshire Sports Village to claim division 4B in the Inter County Championship on Sunday16th March.

Although loosing 8-7 the team gained promotion on the narrowest of margins. Being equal with Suffolk on section points and wins  they won on a count back of games won 65 to 64.

 The team of James Reynolds (Hertford, Hatfield Comets BC), Paul Monk (Stanstead Abbotts, Stanstead  Abbotts BC), Paul Kempster (Stevenage, Cobra BC), Ed Lintott (St. Albans, Hawks BC, Borehamwood), Jo Millward (Hatfield, Wizard BC Goffs Oak), Rachel Warnes (St Albans, Individuals BC), Nikki Walker (Hertford, Stanstead Abbotts BC) & Rhian Blowers (Potters Bar, Comets BC) look forward to challenges that await them next season.

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Hertfordshire 2^nd team: Inter County Championship Division 1c Winners 2007/8 Season

 The 2^nd team, on Sunday16th March, saw off Buckinghamshire 2^nd team to win division 1C  in convincing style 13-2 and move into the division play offs on the 26^th/27^th April for a place in Premier B next season. In the team photo, above are: Ian Mulligan (Manager) Andy Walden (Hertford, Ware BC, Ware) Charity Barnes (Hatfield) Peter Gooden (Kimpton) Katie Comras (Little Heath) Anthony Moye (Hitchin, Masters BC, Baldock) Rachel Howard (Hertford) Rich Southward (St Albans) Liz Austin (Redbourne & Jon Austin (Redbourne)  

Liza Calls Time on Her Badminton Career

Liza playing for Herts, 1st Team 15^th Dec 07 at HSV.

"Liza Smith (nee Parker) has represented Herts as a junior and senior with great distinction over the last 15 years, I wish her ever success in future years".
Paul Widdicombe, Chairman of Herts Selectors        See, also, BE report

HSBA Primary Schools Team Tournament, Sunday 27th April, at Stevenage A&LC

There were 19 boys’ teams and 14 girls’ teams (100 children) taking part in the tournament. 

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It was good to see some new school teams such as Knebworth, Lordship Farm (Letchworth), Lodge Farm (Stevenage), Northwood prep, the return after an absence of St Giles (South Mimms) and Sherrardswood (Welwyn Garden City), plus old stalwarts who always support us so well Wilbury and Norton St Nicholas (Letchworth), Little Heath and Lochinver (Potters Bar). 
The tournament, preceded by a very successful coaching session, was played in a round robin format, with placings for boys girls and combined teams. It was played in excellent spirit and great sportsmanship. 

Boys Winners 
1. Lochinver Suraj Shah, Archie Preston, Henry Wood 
2. (orthwood Prep Rishav Shah, Alastair Parker, Julian Mann 
3. St Giles 1 Max Denuiene-Keene, Sean Price, Jake Johnson 

Girls Winners 
1. St Giles Amy George, Charlotte Hathawy, Faye McNicholas 
2. Little Heath Isabel Hatt, Louise Rapacioli, Cydney Reimers 
3. Norton St Nicholas 3 Hope Cracunell, Melissa Drake, Ellen King 
Combined Winners 
1. St Giles Max Denuiene-King, Sean Price, Jake Johnson, Amy George, 
Charlotte Hathaway, Faye McNicholas 
2. Norton St Nicholas 3 Hope Cracunell, Melissa Drake, Ellen King, Adam 
Chilvers, Charlie Hall, Danny Kalket 
3. Little Heath Isabel Hatt, Louise Rapacioli, Cydney Reimers, Anrew Bays, 
James Ilott, Harrison Palmer 

See the complete report here

Herts Schools do us Proud in the BE Interschools Regional Round in Bedfordshire

April 10^th, the East region round saw the top schools in each age group from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire come together to fight it out for the opportunity to represent the East Region at the National finals to be held later this month up in Derby.

Boys Y7/8/9

1st:  Bedford Modern (Beds)

2nd:   Hitchin Boys School (Herts)

3rd:  Thomas Deacan Academy (Cambs)

Boys Y10/11

1st:  Haberdashers Askes School for Boys (Herts)

2nd:  Sandy (Beds)

3rd:  Thomas Deacan Academy (Cambs)

Girls Y7/8/9

1st:  Chancellors School (Herts)

2nd:   Jack Hunt (Cambs)

3rd:    Dame Alice (Beds)

Girls Y10/11

1st:   Samuel Whitbread (Beds)

2nd:  Dame Alice Owens' School (Herts)

3rd:  Thomas Deacan Academy (Cambs)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Herts 1st Team Intercounty  Match, December 07,  photos: click to view on Flickr site

  www.flickr.com

  This is a Flickr badge showing photos in a set - called Intercounty Badminton. Make your own badge here.

 

 

Thanks go to principal organiser, Angela Blowers, HSBA.

Herts U19s Do Herts Proud in the Yonex English Nationals 2008

Luke Donnelly (R1), Victor Liew (R3), Oliver Crabb (R2), Helen Lewczyska (R1) and Laura Cousins (Quarters) entered the U19 Nationals Tournament on Friday:  

Finals Doubles results!

Men's Doubles:
Chris Hotchen (Gl) & Ben Stawski (Wk) beat
Arthur Cheung (Bu) & Victor Liew (Ht) 21-15, 21-19

Women's Doubles:
Laura Cousins (Ht) & Sarah Walker (Ex) (see photo below) beat
Alyssa Lim (Bu) & Kate Robertshaw (Yo) 22-20, 16-21, 21-17

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This is Laura’s second national doubles title, she first won the title in the U15 age group and now again at U19.  Laura also reached the Quarters in ladies singles and Semi finals in the mixed event.

 Laura is currently training at Bath University with Pete Bush but would like to take this opportunity to thank all that have helped her so far. Including her sponsors, coaches and the county set up for providing top level Badminton from the U13 to the Premier A team.

After a well earned day off she is off to the Dutch junior on Tuesday  as part if the U19 England team

 Roy Cousins

See complete results on BE website

Herts Largest  BE InterSchools Tournament. Winners, U14 Hitchin Boys School, and, U16  Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School

U14 Winners Hitchin Boys School, Finalists Haberdashers' Aske's

U16 Winners Haberdashers' Askes School, finalists St Albans School

click on the photos for larger copies

Two 'SSP-Round' competitions were held in Herts this year:

 1. Queens SSP Round - Winners were:

   Under 14 Boys - Habs Boys

   Under 14 Girls - Watford Girls

   Under 16 Boys - Habs Boys

   Under 16 Girls - Dame Alice Owens

 2. Open County SSP Round - Winners were:

   Under 14 Boys - Hitchin Boys School

   Under 16 Boys - St. Albans School

The  final boys County round was held on Monday 18th Feb at Habs between these winners. Habs won the Under 16 comp, and H.B.S won the Under 14 competition.

Boys' and Girls team winners will go forward to  represent Herts in the Regional round.'

Tom Burton

Herts County 1st team won the Premier B title in the Victor Sports Inter County Championships at Milton Keynes over the weekend!

First Team Squad during 2007-8

Andy Walden, Richard Doling, Phil Hammond, Rich Southward & Dean George

Gail Emms, Suzanne Rayappan, Liza Parker, Natalie Munt, Katie Comras & Laura Cousins

League Table

Position                              Points

1          Herts                        71

2          Notts                        67

3          Yorkshire 2               58

4          Middlesex                 53

5          Avon                         46

6          Cheshire                   40

7          Dorset                      38

8          Warwickshire 2         35

9          Hampshire 2             28

10        Derbyshire                14

Very well done to everyone concerned,  players, partners, parents & friends
Paul Widdicombe,  Chairman of Selectors Herts CBA

See County First Team Report and photos.   More too in HBA Newsletter, out soon.

13 Herts Coaches attended Badminton for Teachers Course at Hitchin College, on Sunday 13th January

click on photo for a larger version and here for more course photos

This 7-hour course was for coaches who wish to understand how players develop,  apply Long Term Athlete Development concepts and understand the primary school educational curriculum requirements.  It was enjoyable, not least because coaches used fun equipment that they don't normally use.  The course was delivered by BE Junior Lead Coach, Jo Hughes (in red, far left in photo) and was heavily subsidised through HBA's Awards for All grant from the normal £115 to just £10 each.   Attendees came from across Herts and included experienced Level 2 coaches through to those just planning to attend a Level 1.

For further information contact HBA Coaching Co-ordinator Brian Jackson.

 The Event of the Season!  10 Courts of Pure, Fantastic Badminton - 15th & 16th December

Highlights of the Weekend at Herts Sports Village

• 1^st Team remain top of Premier B with 3 excellent wins.
• Ladies went undefeated all weekend
• Joanne Goode former Olympic & Commonwealth Games medallist makes winning county debut
• Kelly Matthews at first ladies singles produced three quality performances
• Lee Perry  picked up the only men’s singles win over the weekend against Avon
• Dean George went undefeated in men’s doubles with Richard Doling and Lee Perry and with Natalie Munt at first mixed pair
• Liza Smith played the first match only before flying off to a European league Match and Suzanne Rayappan played the Sunday match only flying in from Danish league match Saturday night. An excellent contribution by these two ladies who despite being England internationals still come home for county matches
• David Westwood made his 1^st team debut and came close in two highly contested singles.

Saturday 15th December 2007                      Sunday 16th December 2007

   Herts 8 Cheshire 2  Herts 7 Middlesex 3            Herts 8 Avon 2

  Team over the Weekend - click on name to see action photo

    Richard Doling (Rickmansworth)  Dean George ( Ware) Lee Perry ( Stevenage) 

    Jim Teale (Watford)  Brian Lockie (Rickmansworth) David Westwood (Flamsted)

   Natalie Munt (Ware)  Kelly Matthews (Harpenden)   Laura Cousins (Little Heath)

    Joanne Goode (Tewin)  Liza Smith (Park St)  Suzanne Rayappan (Stevenage)

Welwyn Hatfield School Sports Partnership Inaugural Badminton Tournament14th December at Herts Sports Village

One hundred and twenty year 9/10 pupils of five secondary schools of WH SSP participated in boys and girls doubles at  HSV. The participating schools were Onslow St Audrey, Bishops Hatfield Girls,  Monkswalk, Sir Frederic Osborn and Stanborough. 

Girls Doubles rep. winners, SFO with Tom Burton, HBA BDO, and Right, Boys and Overall winners Stanborough 

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The tournament was ably organised by Onslow St Audrey SSCo, Steve Willis, with

with the active support of PDM, Jo Higson, the SSCOs of the respective schools and Tom Burton, Gill and Dave Bartlett of Herts Badminton Association.  

First Round of the Badminton England Inter-schools Tournament

Yavneh College, Borehamwood, played host to the first of two rounds of Herts Inter-schools tournaments for secondary schools.  The rounds comprising 6 boys' and 3 girls' teams were organised by Duessa Lipley, PDM of Queens' with assistance from Herts Badminton Development Officer, Tom Burton.

Boys' Finalists:  Dame Alice Owen's            Winners: Haberdashers' Aske's Boys'

Girls' Finalists: Watford Girls Grammar        Winners: Dame Alice Owen's

Click here for more information and photos

Under 19 Squad Result: Won All 3 Matches

The Hertfordshire U19 team had a successful day on 25^th November at home, winning all three ties 4-2 v Kent, 5-1 v Surrey and 4-2 v Essex. This means Herts are now top the table:

 Herts 9,  Kent 7,  Surrey 4,  Essex 2

(Stanstead Abbotts), Jon Chew (Hatfield), Angela Law (WGC), Charlotte Willis (WGC) & Rachel Warnes (WGC).  Luke & Charlotte were the only two undefeated all day.

If interested in playing with these and other U19, see advert in Clubs with vacancies.

Five Schools participated in the Second of Round 1 of Herts Inter-Schools Tournament, 7^th December at HSV

The following schools took part in the Years 7,8&9 tournament: Chancellor's School, Hitchin Boys School, St Albans School, Turnford Sports College, and in the Years 10 &11 Tournament St Columba's College,  St Albans School, Turnford Sports College.

The winners of Years 7, 8 9 tournament were Hitchin Boys School, above with organiser Tom Burton..

The winners of Years 10 & 11 tournament were St Albans School, above with Tom Burton.

It was a very enjoyable tournament with many helpers all of whom we would like to thank.

So these teams and the winners of the first tournament shown below.

Dave Bartlett

Herts 3rd Team vs Oxfordshire 1st Team, Result: 10-5

4th November at HSV

Last seasons division two winners, Herts Badminton 3rd team, started the new season with an excellent 10-5 home win over Oxfordshire 1st Team, gaining maximum league points in the process.   Lindsay Orchard (Welwyn Garden City) was star of the team with four wins. Playing

number one ladies singles, she won in two straight games 21-17, 21-9 against Chiaki Murayami. Pairing up with Sarah Garner (Kimpton), they saw off both the oppositions two pairs in three hard fought games. At first mixed pair with regular partner Richard Southward (St.Albans), they beat Oxfordshire 1st pair of Dave Buckingham & Sarah Torgersen 21-12 18-21, 21-11.

Jenna Tye (WGC) & Helen Skeggs (Stevenage) also went undefeated in both ladies doubles. Jenna completed her successful day with a straight sets mixed win with partner David Westwood ( Flamsted).

With a 7-5 lead going into the mixed, the third team needed all three mixed to gain maximum league points. Oxfordshire on the other hand needed one mixed win to pick a league point. All three Hertfordshire mixed pairs were successful, giving the team the start they need to the season.

Paul Widdicombe

HSBA U11 and U18 Tournament November

U11 boys doubles winners Rishav Shah and Yash Kejriwal 2. U11 Girls doubles Isobel Hatt/Amy George (retained from last year).

 

U18 Girls doubles winners Charlotte Willis and Rachel Warnes

U18 Boys singles winner Greg Roantree

U18 Boys Doubles winners Greg Roantree/James Reynolds (FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING)

U18 Mixed doubles winners (brother/sister act) Mathew and Emily Westwood

Link to Photos

Results                U11 and U18 Boxes                  U11 and U18 grids

Hertfordshire County 4th team started the season with a narrow hard fought victory over Bedfordshire 2nd team - eventually winning the match 8-7.

After an excellent start winning all 4 singles games, Beds came back into the match taking  5 of the 8  men’s and women’s doubles games.

This made the score 7 -5 to Herts with 3 mixed games left. After narrowly losing the first 2 mixed games, it all came down to the last mixed game with Fraser Wikner and  Jo Millward winning 21-12 and 21-14.

Congratulations to Jo Millward and Rhian Blowers in winning all their games.

Colin Walker

4th team manager

  November E-zine for Club organisers and Coaches: Nov07

Six Schools participated in the First of Round 1 matches of Herts Inter-Schools Tournament, 18th October coinciding with the Launch of  HBA's Coaching Development Plan funded by Awards for All

Yavneh College hosted the first of Round 1 matches comprising teams from: Bushey Hall, Bushey Meads, Haberdasher's Aske's Boys,Dame Alice Owen's Watford Girls Grammar and Westfield. See more.. 

HBA Development Co-ordinator, Dave Bartlett, Queens PDM Duessa Lipley and Herts Badminton Development Officer Tom Burton, officially and gratefully accept the Awards for All cheque for £9,920 to develop coaching and participation in Herts.  See more.. 

Herts Restricted

Ladies singles: Winner, Helena Lewczynaska (R), wih Finalist, Charlotte Willis (L) 

Herts U13 Doubles and U15 Singles, 14th October 

See results in 'Junior Tournaments, Trials, Results', left

11 More Coaches for Hertfordshire

Click here for a larger version

There  were 12 attendees for the first Herts UK Coaching Certificate Level 1 Coaching Course which was run over 3 days 16^th &30^th Sep, 7^th October at North Herts College, Hitchin. The course, normally £195 each was heavily subsidised via WorkForce Development Funding.  Tutors were Dave Jones (2nd L, front row) and Frances Morrison (far R.).  One attendee could not manage the assessment day and will be referred to another one elsewhere.  Attendees found it a challenging but enjoyable course. Level 2  mentors have been assigned to ensure these new L1s feel supported in the 5 sessions that  they will give back to the county.

Some great matches, click here for more photos and the results.

Herts Open 

Click here to see more pictures from the tournament

Report in HBA Newsletter, see left.