Evesham Badmnton League

THE league's annual general meeting provoked discussion on the shortage of teams wishing to play competitively - a problem particularly associated with the women's game.

Thirty-nine teams, ranging from West Mercia near Worcester, Kingpins in Char-lton Kings near Cheltenham, sides from Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water and teams in close proximity to Stratford, compete in the winter league.

The number of teams taking part in ladies competition has diminished during the past few years but men's and mixed doubles continues to be popular.

More information on the league is available by logging on to the website at www.freewebs.com/eveshamleague

Laura Stratford, a member at Bourton, was in action for Gloucestershire at the Under-11s Singles Team Challenge south-west regional round in Stroud.

She finished fifth in the girls event and will now represent the region in the National Finals at Milton Keynes.

Gloucestershire won the team gold at the Stroud showpiece.

League standings - Men's Division One: 1 Alveston 110pts; 2 Gloucester Electrics 106; 3 Kingpins 89; 4 West Mercia 87; 5 Evesham 75; 6 Malvern 73. Division Two: 1 Stratford 104; 2 Winchcombe 92; Stow 68; 4 Chase/Upton 57; 5 Alcester 39. Division Three: 1 Stratford B 106; 2 Winchcombe B 93; 3 Bourton 92; 4 Blackminster 89; 5 Chase/Upton B 84; 6 Shipston 76.

Mixed One: 1 West Mercia 148; 2 Alveston 105; 3 Stow 87; 4 Shipston 74; 5 Winchcombe A 71; 6 Blackminster 55. Two: 1 Chase/Upton 134; 2 Alcester 115; 3 Bourton 101; 4 Chase/Upton B 88; 5 Winchcombe 56; 6 Dumbleton 46.

Ladies: 1 Winchcombe 94; 2 Alcester 89; 3 Chase/Upton 79; 4 Stow 74; 5 Shipston 71; 6 Blackminster 55; 7 Chase/Upton 42.