I am please to report that six players from Chippenham 23 were selected to represent Wiltshire in the first county weekend. Sadly, one of these players was unable to make the match.

However those that did had a generally successful weekend.

Claire partnered up with Corsham rival Amy Reddaway to form Wiltshire 1st team's number 1 ladies pair. They won both their matches in straight sets, with what will hopefully be the beginning of a fruitful partnership. Claire also played with Andy as number 2 mixed pair, and took thrilling three set wins in both.

Wiltshire 2nd was littered with Chippenham 23 players: Ed, Bex and Rich. Ed took to the singles court and trounced his Guernsey opponent. He later played a C graded player from Dorset and proved that gradings mean nothing. He lost the first set narrowly, but took control of game and won in three.

Rich and Ed took their partnership to the county matches again with great success winning both matches in two sets.

Bex teamed up with circuit tournament partner Rosie and faced their Islander opponents first. Guernsey's first team had a strong set of ladies and their number one pair were able to control the game. Bex and Rosie came out of this fighting in the next match against Dorset which they won in three ends.

Finally, what is arguably Mid-Wilt's finest established mixed pair took to the court in the form of Rich and Bex. They played such a solid game that their opponents retired 17-5 down in the second game after losing the first. Their second match against Dorset was another solid performance with a win in two ends.

Wiltshire 3rd's  was in a desperate state just days before the match. Late notice meant that players (including Chippenham 23's Chris) were unable to play. Jack stepped up (after some coercion) and played some solid badminton. The third team ended the day with one win and one loss

Laziness/forgetfulness on my part has meant a lack of match reports, so here comes a long one!

24/10/22 Doubles A away vs Corsham A. Corsham A came prepared with a stronger team this time. One pair from Corsham was able to win all three of their matches (although two of these were in three and the other was 22-20 21-19!). Still a great win for Chippenham 23, 6-3.

25/10/22 Mixed C played away at gloomy Bradford Penmoor. One or two of the core team missing but some great subs meant a 6-3 victory.

26/10/22 Mixed B were at home against Corsham A. Three out of six players missing meant that this tough match was that much tougher. A 7-2 loss but well done to Chris and Mark for taking both their men's games.

31/10/22 Doubles A away vs Freshford. An almost clinical display from Chippenham 23's top men to take a 9-0, seven of these won in straight sets.

31/10/22 Doubles B played away against Corsham A. It was an unlucky start for Chippenham 23, losing the first six matches, half of these in three ends. However the team came out hard at the end to take two of the nine. 7-2 loss.

02/11/22 Our Wilson Lee team played Freshford in the first round of this knock out competition. Chippenham 23 players were confident and this translated to a score line of 17-1.

02/11/22 Mixed C home vs Phoenix B (again). After losing this same clash 4 weeks previously, the young mixed C team were keen to prove a point. This time they were able to reverse the score and take a 5-4 win. Well done to junior players Max and Cole for taking revenge in the men's doubles.

09/11/22 Mixed A and B came head to head for the first time. Despite a few three enders and close games, the B were not able to convert anything and joined the A team in the pub the lick the wounds of a 9-0 loss.

11/11/22 Mixed A travelled to Trowbridge to play Phoenix A. With five of the six Chip 23 players playing a county match the next day, the team was feeling sharp and this shows in their 7-2 win.

16/11/22 Doubles B home vs Freshford. The team put up a good fight and managed to win two of the 9 rubbers. However a registration issue with a Freshford player meant their games had to be voided. In the end, a 5-4 win.

23/11/22 The Mixed A and B teams met again to see if they could put a dent in their club mates. With some tweaks to the pairings and a few being subbed due to holidays and injuries, the B were able to convert a men's doubles a force an 8-1 win for the A. Well played by Chris and Tom.

23/11/22 Mixed C were also at home. With all three teams playing this was a great atmosphere in the hall at Sheldon (and in the pub afterwards!). The Mixed C thrived off the energy and took a commanding 8-1 win from Vectors (last year's Div 2 winners).

30/11/22 Doubles A and B played each other for the second time. This A team this time giving no quarter after dropping a rubber to the B's in the first meeting. 9-0 win for the A's.