A marvellous maximum from Dick Seabright sealed a place in the Peter Gibbs badminton Cup semi-final for Westcliff 2nds at Eastwood's expense, despite their three point handicap advantage.

Westcliff lifted both the ladies and gent's openers in straight games, although Eastwood's Alison Horsley was in great form and made a fight of the competition by winning all of her rubbers.

Entering the fray in partnership with Julie Stevens, Alison reduced the arrears with a 15-14, 15-9 decision over Teresa Baker and Leanne Watering.

It was at this point that Seabright took a hand, teaming up with fellow veteran Keith Robinson to edge out Noel Davis and Sam Samudram 15-11, 15-13.

The next rubber, a vital encounter between Westcliff pair Ted Keeble and Heather Davis, and Eastwood's Simon Phillips and Debbie Moon, was the most exciting match with the Westcliff duo running out 15-12, 15-10 winners.

Eastwood stayed alive as Horsley and Samudram saw off Robinson and Watering, but their fate was sealed when Seabright and Baker got the better of Davis and Stevens by 15-7, 15-12.

However, Eastwood rallied as Horsley and Samudram saw off Robinson and Watering, but their fate was sealed when Seabright and Baker sealed Westcliff's 6-3 triumph with a 15-12, 15-17 victory over Phillips and Moon.

The second semi-final was an all St Aidans/Leigh affair with the first team being pitched against the seconds.

The two ladies doubles easily went the way of the second team and it was up to the gent's, weakened by the absence of injured star Paul Kirby to keep the first team's chances alive.

However, the second's ran out convincing 7-2 winners despite a brave fightback from the first's partnership of Pete Ostrowski and Andy Street.

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