NEVER has the comment “a team is only as strong as its reserves” rung more true in badminton circles than over the weekend's county badminton fixtures.

NEVER has the comment “a team is only as strong as its reserves” rung more true in badminton circles than over the weekend's county badminton fixtures.

Both Suffolk first and second teams were away at Staffordshire and Leicestershire and both teams lost by just 8-7, with six players absent.

The reserves - some called in at short notice - acquitted themselves well and to lose by such a small margin is a credit to both teams.

Suffolk First Team v Stafford Second Team

Suffolk names first:

Jonathan Isaacson bt Andy Aspinal 21-19 21-17, Peter Sidaway lost to Daren Chesworth 14-21 14-21, Toni Sturgeon lost to Jo Waire 11-21 16-21, Alyc Kindred lost to Becky Fairhurst 21-12 15-21 19-21, Miguel Soler & Jonathan Isaacson lost to Darren Chesworth & Matt Gregory 13-21 21-14 18-21, Miguel Soler & Jonathan Isaacson lost to Andy Aspinall & Simon Goodwin 13-21 18-21, David Wade & Peter Sidaway lost to Daren Chesworth & Matt Gregory 13-21 21-19 14-21, David Wade & Peter Sidaway lost to Andy Aspinall & Simon Goodwin 15-21 22-20 8-21, Toni Sturgeon & Jo Hughes lost to Jo White & Helen Fisher 21-23 19-21, Toni Sturgeon & Jo Hughes bt Becky Fairhurst & Alison Reynolds 21-17 21-19, Janet Molvey & Alyc Kindred bt Jo White & Helen Fisher 21-19 21-18, Janet Mulvey & Alyc Kindred bt Becky Fairhurst & Alison Reynolds 21-11 21-6, David Wade & Janet Mulvey bt Andy Aspinal & Jo White 8-21 21-10 21-13, Jonathan Isaacson & Toni Sturgeon bt Daren Chesworth & Helen Fisher 21-17 21-13, Miguel Soler & Jo Hughes bt Matt Gregory & Alison Reynolds 21-16 21-18.

Match Result: Suffolk First 7 Staffordshire Second 8.

Suffolk Second Team v Leicestershire Fourth Team

Suffolk names first:

Daniel Hooper bt Vijay Patel 21-17 12-21 21-10, Richard Savory lost to Gareth Roy 13-21 18-21, Laura Jacobs lost to Jennifer Scarlett 11-21 12-21, Amanda Newcombe bt Abigail Smith 21-11 21-4, Amanda Newcombe bt Abigail Smith 21-11 21-4, Daniel Hooper & Richard Savory bt Daniel Stanton & Peter Chapman 21-18 14-21, 21-14, Daniel Hooper & Richard Savory bt Chris Farrin & Gareth Roy 21-15 20-22 24-22, Gary Sheppard & Robert Parke lost to Daniel Stanton & Peter Chapman 8-21 13-21, Gary Sheppard & Robert Parke lost to Chris Farrin & Gareth Roy 10-21 9-21, Laura Jacobs & Susan Poole lost to Sam Dodge & Kerry Riley 11-21 19-21, Laura Jacobs & Susan Poole bt Abigail Smith & Jennifer Scarlett 7-21, 11-21, Amanda Newcombe & Linosee Bullett lost to Sam Dodge & Kerry Riley 21-23 18-21, Amanda Newcombe & Linosee Bullett bt Abigail Smith & Jennifer Scarlett 21-13 21-17, Daniel Hooper & Amanda Newcombe lost to Peter Chapman & Sam Dodge 13-21 21-13 18-21, Richard Savory & Linosee Bullett bt Daniel Stanton & Kerry Riley 16-21 21-13 21-19, Gary Sheppard & Susan Poole lost to Vijay Patel & Jennifer Scarlett 14-21 6-21.

Match Result: Suffolk Second 7 Leicestershire Fourth 8.