ma 30 sep, 18:31

Badminton

VEENENDAAL The badminton players from BC ‘t Veen had to compete against BC Mariken 3 from Nijmegen at home on Saturday. Considering the standings in the group, there was only one point between the teams after two rounds, it was expected in advance that it would be an exciting match. Nothing turned out to be further from the truth and the points were ultimately divided fairly 4-4.

It was Wouter Fondse and Leon Wegen who took the lead in the men’s doubles. After a lightning start in which the men from BC ‘t Veen quickly took a 5-1 lead, the men from Nijmegen came back quickly and strongly and managed to maintain a slight lead up to 19 points. However, Fondse and Wegen came back strongly and still took the first set 21-19. In the second set the couples were also very evenly matched, but towards the end of the set they again faced a small deficit. Once again, however, it was the Veenendalers who kept their cool in the final phase and thus also managed to win this set 21-19. The first point was also inside.

The ladies Jamie van Brienen and Dinja van Haastert had to compete against old acquaintances. Despite the good progress that both ladies are still making, it was the ladies of BC Mariken who won the women’s doubles. Just like last season, they were the strongest with 10-21 and 12-21 and thus brought the score back into balance.

SINGLES

After the doubles, Ben van Luttikhuizen was allowed to show his skills in the first single of this afternoon. Expectations were high, especially since Fondse and Wegen had both been unable to beat the first gentleman of BC Mariken last season. Would Van Luttikhuizen succeed at home? In both the first and second set, Van Luttikhuizen was able to provide a good match until the break (at 11 points) and the score was even. In both sets, however, Van Luttikhuizen made too many mistakes in the second part and it was the opponent who came out on top with 17-21 and 16-21. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

It is up to Jamie van Brienen – the first lady of the Veenendalers – to bring the tension back into the match. Van Brienen, who lost her single in a three-setter last Sunday, wasted no time from the start and made it clear what her goal was. Win! Her perseverance was rewarded with a 26-24 win deep in the extra time of the first set. In the second set, the well-playing Van Brienen was again too strong with 21-18, bringing the score to 2-2.

TASK

Wouter Fondse – undefeated in singles this season – was allowed to compete against Marco Holtrop in his match. Fondse had a dream start and showed from the start that he was a size too big for his opponent from Nijmegen. Shortly after the break, with Fondse already leading 11-4, things went wrong for his opponent at 13-4. The player hurt his back, forcing him to give up the match and Fondse took the third point for the Veenendalers.

Dinja van Haastert then has the task of grabbing the fourth point and thus at least securing a draw. However, her opponent from Nijmegen showed that she had other thoughts and put Van Haastert under pressure from the start. In the first set, Van Haastert was able to withstand this pressure for a long time, but she had to admit her superiority at 16-21. In the second set it quickly became apparent that Van Haastert had already lost too much of her strength for her single and lost this set 5-21.

MIX DOUBLE

The two mixes should, as is often the case, make the decision again this afternoon. The first mix, consisting of Van Luttikhuizen and Van Brienen, was an exciting competition. The couples appeared to be well matched, but in the end the win in the first set 21-19 went to the mixed duo from Veenendaal. In the second set, however, the duo from Nijmegen adjusted their tactics slightly, resulting in the Veenendalers always finding themselves at a small disadvantage. However, Van Luttikhuizen and Van Brienen fought back strongly at the end and managed to win the set in extra time (22-20).

And by winning the first mix, Leon Wegen and Dinja van Haastert could even ensure the victory. However, the first set was narrowly lost 19-21. However, the BC ‘t Veen duo put things in order in the second set and, with very good and varied play, managed to win this set by a wide margin (21-13). And with that they also forced the first and only three-setter for this afternoon. The third set was a real ‘bottom pinch’. The game and the points waved back and forth, but in the end the duo from Nijmegen proved to be just too strong with 19-21. The final score was therefore set at 4-4 and the Veenendalers therefore retained the first position in the group for the time being.

The next match is again at home on Saturday, October 12. The Veenendalers will then play against BC Pluumke from Eerbeek. Interested parties are welcome to watch from 12:00 in the Valleihal in Veenendaal (admission is free).