DESPITE a spirited performance, new club Kirklees Independent Badminton were defeated in their first match of the Huddersfield District Badminton League, losing 6-0 to the Eagles.

Margaret Paul, Elaine Cashin, Helen Schofield and Lynn Boden of KIB came up against experienced league players Amy Crowther, Emily Crowther, Jessica Hall and Anna Whitwam.

The league debutants started well, with Paul and Boden taking the match’s opening leg 21-16.

However, the Eagles pulled things back, winning the next two legs 16-21 and 14-21 as Amy Crowther and Whitwam started to assert their experience on a match full of exciting rallies.

Cashin and Boden were involved in the stand-out game of the match against Emily Crowther and Whitwam, where after a tense final leg, the Eagles eventually won 23-21.

Boden, who suffered a shoulder injury, said: “I have really enjoyed the friendly competitiveness, and playing against players I have not played before.”

KIB, coached by badminton England coach Hayley Smith, derived from social badminton clubs Kirklees Independent and their second team, train on Sundays and Tuesdays.