BADMINTON: Hertfordshire reached the semi-finals of the County Team Championships held on its home courts at the Hertfordshire Sports Village in Hatfield.

In the opening group matches, they beat Kent 5-1, Cheshire 4-2 and drew 3-3 with Gloucestershire to finish top and earn a place in the quarter-final knockout stages.

Essex were the opponents, and Herts wasted very little time in seeing off their local rivals 5-1 to earn a semi-final berth against Yorkshire.

The two doubles matches proved to be the deciding factor in the tie, with both going to a third-game decider. In both, Herts had match points that could have levelled the match score, but came out second in both cases. This gave Yorkshire a 4-0 winning lead and a place in the final.

Yorkshire went on to take the title with a 6-0 demolition of Hampshire.

For further details about badminton in the county, go to www.hertsbadminton.net.

ATHLETICS: Shaftesbury Barnet's women achieved an outstanding win at the Southern Women's Six-Stage Road Relay competition in Aldershot on Sunday.

They triumphed by nearly four minutes.

Amanda Bailey ran the first leg, establishing a fourth-place position as she handed the baton to Jo Ankier, who went on to run the second fastest time of the day (14.23) to move Barnet into second place.

Phillipa Auckett then took the squad into the lead, before Gemma Turtle and Sarah Waldron (fourth fastest time) kept up the momentum.

Victoria Webster ran the sixth fastest time of the day to complete the job.

The club's B team finished ninth.

CYCLING: Despite the atrocious conditions, Finchley Racers gave a good account of themselves at the Maldon Road Races, in Essex, on Sunday.

In the Category 3/4 event, South African Werner Otto finished second, only just behind the vastly more experienced Dominic Schils, an ex-professional from Belgium.

These two riders were chasing a lone leader, who all but collapsed from hypothermia on the last lap.

Only 13 riders finished out of a field of 60 starters.

In the Elite event for top-class riders, Trevor Burke finished ninth, despite racing against riders half his age.

Again, only 12 out of 50 starters finished.

Both races took place in almost constant snow showers and near-freezing temperatures.

RUGBY: Hendon will be hosting the Middlesex Federation Vase final on April 19.

They will be up against Old Isleworthians, who beat them in the final three years ago.

Director of rugby Micky Harber said: "This is our third attempt in the final of the Vase, and in our 75th season, so it will be nice to win a cup in what has been a disappointing league season."

The home draw, decided last week, was a welcome boost for Hendon, who have struggled in their last few games.

They conclude their league campaign this Saturday against promotion-chasing Old Grammarians.

BOWLS: Glebelands IBC were beaten by Jack Hi in the Middlesex League play-offs.

Winning two rinks out of four, they lost 78-74 overall.

Glebelands will be holding their own finals' weekend this Saturday and Sunday.