Cathy triumphs on England bow
Cathy Bargh is the toast of the nation after making a triumphant international badminton debut.
The Sedlescombe-based player won her over-45s ladies' singles tie as England claimed the McCoig Trophy by beating Scotland 15-9 in Largs.
She said: "Not only was my racket full of tension and highly strung, but I was as well. It was a real mind-blowing experience."
Bargh overcame her early nerves to defeat Scottish National Veterans' champion Anne Wood, of the Shetland Islands, 21-15, 21-14 at the Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre.
"I felt slightly apprehensive to start off with, but then it was full steam ahead and I felt fantastic at the end. I've never felt those sort of emotions," she continued.
Her success helped England clinch four of the five matches in the over-45s age group, results which played a big part in them retaining the title they scooped by a 20-4 margin in 2007.
Now in its 10th year, the contest takes place annually in memory of Robert McCoig, who played a significant role in Scotland and Essex badminton for many years.
It is split into five age groups (over-40s, over-45s, over-50s, over-55s and over-60s) with five games in each (men's singles, ladies' singles, men's doubles, ladies' doubles and mixed doubles).
A memorable trip north of the border got even better for Bargh when she clinched the over-45s ladies' singles at the Scotland International Veterans' Championships.
Just one opponent stood in her way and again it was Wood, although this time a more comfortable feeling Bargh prevailed by a 21-14, 21-10 scoreline at the same venue.
Bargh, who coaches adults and children from Monday-Saturday at Summerfields Leisure Centre in Hastings, sealed victory and the Heatly Trophy with a cross-court angled backhand smash.
Bargh also took part in the over-45s ladies' doubles where she and Lancashire's Debbie Rigby came second in their three-strong group to narrowly miss out on a place in the final.
They saw off Wood and Caroline King but were beaten at the hands of Danish pair Pia Kruse and Ellen Aagaard.
Bargh earned her England call-up on the back of netting the over-45s ladies' singles crown at the 13th English National Veterans' Championships towards the end of last year.
That success meant she became the first player from Sussex to land the over-45s and over-40s ladies' singles having bagged the latter competition back in 2002.
Bargh hopes to further enhance her prospects of selection for the European Championships in Spain later this year at the All-England Championships in Milton Keynes during March.
She would like to thank Freedom Leisure and professor Mrs D. A. Long for their support in helping her achieve her goals.
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Weather for St Leonards-on-Sea
Monday 28 May 2012
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