Tight state pennant final loss for Monash Badminton team

Monash Badminton team played one of the tightest state pennant finals on record in a loss to Badminton Academy of Victoria (BAV) that was decided on countback.

After streaking through the early rounds of the Victorian Inter-Club State Pennant Competition, defending champions Monash narrowly lost to their long-time rivals 418 to 408 at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on 18 May.

The opposition had a reputation for developing the top junior players in Australasia and this year also had one female member going to the Beijing Olympics to play women's doubles.

After some early losses to the powerful female opposition members, Monash went from 2-5 down to win the next four straight matches to make it 6-5 with one mixed doubles remaining. Monash rallied behind the final pair but BAV won the match in straight sets.

As this meant the teams were tied at 6-6 and also even at 11-11 in sets taken, the final was determined by a count back of cumulative points won per side.

After some nervous tallying, BAV came through with 418 points over Monash’s 408.

On the way to the final, Monash swept through the early rounds Ballarat 9-3, Melbourne Uni Raiders 11-1, Melbourne Uni Titans 10-2 and Western Suburbs Badminton Association Gold 7-5.

Team manager Tin Pham said the close result proved Monash can still look eye-to-eye with the top teams in Victoria and Australia.

“Credit must go to the entire team who made so much noise throughout the competition in supporting and cheering each other on to play at their full potential,” he said.

In other results, a combined team of Monash men and BAV women was also entered in the competition and managed a great result of fifth, beating Melbourne Uni Titans in their 5th/6th placing final.

More information can be found at www.badmintonvic.com.au

Monash badminton team after the final