Bargh makes semis at top event

Cathy Bargh reached the semi-finals of the over-50s women's singles in Hertfordshire

The Sedlescombe-based player made it to the last four of the over-50s women’s singles at the 98th All England Seniors 2014 in Hatfield last weekend.

Bargh, who was seeded two, came second in group B. She beat Karin Rosager (Denmark) 21-16, 21-15 and Gail Mcloughlin (South Africa) 21-15, 21-7, but was edged out 21-12, 15-21, 15-21 by group winner Sian Williams (Ireland).

That meant Bargh faced group A winner Lone Knudsen (Denmark) in the semi-finals and she was beaten 14-21, 13-21 by the top seed and eventual champion.

Bargh, a professional badminton coach at Freedom Leisure Summerfields, also lined-up in the over-50s women’s doubles alongside Kay Vickers.

Bargh and Vickers lost 16-21, 14-21 to Knudsen and compatriot Helle Sjoerring, and although they pipped English duo Ann Walker and Pauline Williams 16-21, 21-14, 23-21, it wasn’t enough to go through as one of the best runners-up.

“I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed,” said Bargh, who won the over-45s singles in 2010 and 2011, and was runner-up in the over-50s singles in 2012 and 2013. “I’m absolutely exhausted more than anything else, but it’s been a terrific season for me.”

Bargh won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Turkey last September, clinched the national over-50s title in December and won the Scottish Open in January.