Alençon Badminton Continue Playoff Push with Win Over Maisons-Laffitte
ALENÇON, FRANCE – The Club Alençonnais Badminton (CAB 61) strengthened their position in the Nationale 2 standings with a decisive 5-3 victory over Maisons-Laffitte on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The win keeps Alençon firmly in the hunt for a coveted playoff spot as the season enters its crucial final stages.
Early Setback, Resilient Response
The match, played at the Louvrier gymnasium, didn’t begin favorably for the home side. Alençon dropped the opening doubles match, with Charlotte Linero and Céline Heude-Gasnier falling to their opponents. However, the team quickly regrouped under the guidance of captain Yann Lemesle. A strong showing in the singles matches turned the tide, as Tom Germain, Arthur Vaugeois, and Charlotte Linero secured three out of four victories. Diane Lemesle was the lone Alençon singles player to fall, losing to Ana Ramirez Camacho, who contributed two points for Maisons-Laffitte.
Knowing a loss would significantly hamper their playoff aspirations, the CAB focused on securing the match. The team understood the importance of capitalizing on their momentum from the singles victories, particularly against a team positioned lower in the league table.
Doubles Drama and a Hard-Fought Victory
The match remained competitive as the doubles matches commenced. Despite the earlier success in singles, Alençon faced a setback as Maisons-Laffitte claimed both the men’s and women’s doubles. This created a tense finish, requiring the mixed doubles pairings to deliver.
Tom Germain and Céline Heude-Gasnier, along with Tanguy Barbelette and Diane Lemesle, rose to the occasion, securing crucial victories in their respective mixed doubles matches. These wins ultimately sealed the 5-3 victory for Alençon, sparking celebrations amongst the team and supporters.
Playoff Picture Tightens
This victory marks the fifth win in eight matches for the Club Alençonnais Badminton. The team now sits in second place in the Nationale 2 standings, following a loss by Saint-Maur. Alençon is currently five points behind league leader Orléans, making the upcoming matches critical.
“The matches were very tight, and all the players did their job. You can’t win every match,” commented captain Yann Lemesle, reflecting on the team’s performance. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and consistency as the season progresses.
What’s Next for Alençon?
With two matches remaining, Alençon faces a challenging schedule. First, they will travel to face their regional rivals, Bayard Argentan, on Saturday, March 28th at 4:00 PM local time (3:00 PM UTC). Following that, they will return home to host league-leading Orléans in a match that could very well determine their playoff fate.
“Sportively, the match against Orléans will be the one to watch!” Lemesle stated, acknowledging the significance of the upcoming clash. “But before that, we have a match to negotiate against Argentan.”
Match Details
Alençon – Maisons-Laffitte: 5-3
- Simple Homme 1: Tom Germain (CAB) def. Miguel Estève Garcia (BML), 21-17, 21-17
- Simple Homme 2: Arthur Vaugeois (CAB) def. Martin Abramim (BML), 21-6, 21-15
- Simple Dame 1: Ana Ramirez Camacho (CAB) def. Diane Lemesle (CAB), 25-23, 21-18
- Simple Dame 2: Charlotte Linero (CAB) def. Ellyn Frétard (BML), 21-2, 21-10
- Double Homme: Martin Abramim (BML) & Quentin Beauvisage (BML) def. Tanguy Barbelette (CAB) & Sébastien Mida (CAB), 21-16, 21-16
- Double Dame: Pauline Guedj (BML) & Ana Ramirez Camacho (BML) def. Céline Heude-Gasnier (CAB) & Charlotte Linero (CAB), 21-12, 21-12
- Double Mixte 1: Tom Germain (CAB) & Céline Heude-Gasnier (CAB) def. Quentin Beauvisage (BML) & Pauline Guedj (BML), 21-18, 22-20
- Double Mixte 2: Tanguy Barbelette (CAB) & Diane Lemesle (CAB) def. Miguel Estève Garcia (BML) & Ellyn Frétard (BML), 21-16, 16-21, 23-21
The next match for Alençon is scheduled for Saturday, March 28th, against Argentan at 4:00 PM local time.
What do you think of Alençon’s chances of making the playoffs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
