The Division One Play-offs, which determine the two counties who will be promoted to Premier B for next season, took place at the National Badminton Centre, Milton Keynes over the weekend of 7^th and 8^th May. The counties which competed after topping their respective sections in Division One were:

The first round of matches on Saturday saw a strong Derbyshire side take on Norfolk who were in the Play-offs for the second year running. Norfolk started well, and were 3-1 up after the four singles were played. However, Derbyshire went on to win all four level doubles to put them up 5-3 – they needed just 1 of the Mixed to win their first tie of the weekend. Derbyshire ran out eventual winners 7-4.  

Wiltshire played Staffordshire on the Saturday morning, with Wiltshire’s Men taking both Men’s Single and Men’s Doubles, and Staffordshire’s Ladies taking both Ladies Singles and Ladies Doubles. At 4 all going into the mixed there was everything to play for – Wiltshire took the first Mixed and Staffordshire took the second, meaning the result of the tie was down to the final mixed Doubles. It was a close encounter but Wiltshire ran out eventual winners 6-5.

In the afternoon, Derbyshire played Staffordshire. After the singles events, Staffordshire were 2-2 with the Derbyshire team, however Derbyshire went on to win every single Doubles match and were eventual winners 9-2.

Norfolk took on Wiltshire and the two counties were 3-3 following the singles and Men’s Doubles, but Norfolk proved too strong for Wiltshire and went on to win the tie 8-3.

After ties were completed on the Saturday, Derbyshire looked strong at the top of the table with 16 points, Norfolk sat in second with 12 points, while Wiltshire and Staffordshire finished the day in third and fourth respectively on 9 and 7 points.

The final round on Sunday saw Staffordshire play Norfolk. Norfolk won the tie 6-5 and gained promotion to Premier B. Derbyshire also beat Wiltshire 9-2. So, congratulations must go to Derbyshire and Norfolk, who will replace Kent and Worcestershire in Premier B next season.

For a full set of the Division One Play-off results, please click here.

The ICC Season for 2010-11 is now almost complete, with most counties knowing which of their teams are promoted and relegated for next season. Thanks must go to all the County Team Captains and the Match Secretaries for their hard as well as to the Badminton Umpires Association of England, for providing Umpires for the competition. We can now look forward in anticipation to 2011-12.

For a full set of all results in the ICC, please click here.