SEES VIKKI SECURING A BRACE OF INAUGURAL TITLES, WITH CHRIS RETAINING AND KELVIN - A NEW STAR - SHINING BRIGHT.
THERE was a very high standard of play, with camaraderie to the fore, once again, in the Duchy of Cornwall 29th Open Badminton Championships, which was contested at its Home Base, Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, Near Redruth, over the Weekend of September 17/18, writes John Tresidder.
The prestigious Event, A Tournament in the BADMINTON England Senior Silver Circuit, with a prize fund totalling £1,260, also held two distinguished presentations on the second day.
Indeed, the famous Tournament, promoted by The Cornwall County Badminton Association, is known, affectionately, as one of the most enjoyable and best organised on the English Badminton Circuit.
Another bumper overall entry of around 100 players - with fifty and nineteen in the men’s and ladies’ singles, respectively - competed in the Championships, with competitors drawn from a good spread of English and Welsh Counties.
Blue ribband events:
DAY ONE saw Vikki Jones, the Ladies’ Singles number one seed, from Mid-Glamorgan winning her first Duchy, when she out-pointed Kelly Holdway, who hails from Hampshire, seeded two, 21/11, 21/16.
Meanwhile, Gloucestershire’s Chris Hotchen, the favourite, retained the Men’s Singles title, when he defeated, Will Hiton-Jackson, (Sussex, No. 2 seed), 21/17, 21/15. in the corresponding blue ribband discipline.
Miss Jones, in tandem with Nicolas Strange (South Glamorgan), went on to harvest the Mixed Doubles, in the early evening, to make it a glorious brace of titles on the first day, when overcoming the challenge of John Hepworth and Kelly Holdway, Hampshire’s top seeds, 21/16, 18/21, 21/12.
DAY TWO witnessed another feast of badminton in the Hall.
Kelly Holdway, Hampshire’s County First Team player, whilst partnering Elena Johnson, recorded a third Duchy trophy, defeating Jo Philp and Nicole Jacobs, the Cornish/Middlesex outfit, 21/8, 21/8. However, Jo and Nicole, a scratch duo, were seen to gell very efficiently and may well team up for another English “Open”, in the near future.
Men’s Doubles proves a fitting finale to an exhilarating weekend:
The proceedings were seen to go to the wire, with past champions, Devon’s Corby Brothers, Dan and Matt Corby, putting up a spirited performance, before going down, narrowly, to the Will. Hilton-Jackson and Daniel Charteres Susses/Hampshire combination, 20/22, 22/20, 28/26.
Many agreed, that the power play and exhausting rallies, would not have looked out of place on an International court, at times and had the spectators on the edge of their seats, throughout – therefore, congratulations, all four gentlemen.
Popular Jo’s wonderful Tournament:
The weekend also proved very successful, for Johanna Philp, aged 18, Cornwall’s number one lady, based at the Camelford, North Cornwall Club:
On the Saturday, she turned out with her usual “Open” partner, Dave Edgar, Cheshire, as one of two 3/4 seeds, to reach the Mixed Semi-finals, before winning through to the Ladies' Final, with Nicole Jacobs, on Day 2.
As a reward, for her efforts, she became the recipient of the 2011 Best Cornish Player, trophy, for the second year in a row.
Jo is a Midwifery student at Truro College and next Autumn, the bubbly and popular Port Isaac lady has ambitions to go up to the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, to read Midwifery, as well as to obtain a place at the University of Bath’s National Badminton Academy, which is renowned.
Young Hampshire badminton star catches the eye:
There was a most polished performance from 15-year old Kelvin Latimer, unseeded, from Portsmouth, an England Under-16 squad member, who reached the Men’s Singles semi-finals, going down, in style, to Will Hill-Jackson, the eventual runner-up, 21/15, 18/21, 18/21.
However, the talented young man, such a gentleman - on and off court - was awarded the 2011 Sporting Spirit Trophy. He is coached by Jack Webb, a past singles winner, and proved he has the potential to become a Duchy champion in the not too distant future – in 2013, possibly.
In addition, the writer is pretty confident Kelvin will progress to the England Badminton senior ranks, one day - watch this space.
Welcome callers to Hall:
Amongst the welcome callers, were Emma Austin, the BADMINTON England Development Officer, for Cornwall & West Devon and Mr. Paul Smith, the Headmaster of Truro School, in whose whose Sports Hall the Kerrier Junior Open and the England Bronze Tournaments are held.
Main Sponsors:
GRAPHIC SOLUTIONS - www.graphicsols.com - the Computer Company, from Farnborough, Hampshire, together with TAG SPORTS - www.tagsports.co.uk, in conjunction with YONEX UK LTD, joined forces, once more, as the Tournament’s joint main sponsors.
The Countryman Inns Free Houses Group, from Piece, Carnkie, Near Redruth, together Dales Renault, based at Scorrier and Summercourt, were amongst the other generous backers, of the Championships.
Cornwall County and CYB well represented:
There was another good turn out, from Cornwall, the host, of over twenty players, including a healthy contingent of youngsters from the successful Cornwall Youth Badminton (CYB) Organisation, which has Jenny Marchant at the helm, as Chairman and a Main Sponsor in Dairy Crest Davidstow, of the Cornish Cathedral City Cheese Company.
Indeed, in the Duchy’s Men’s and Ladies’ Doubles “Plate” Finals, there were All-Cornish Affairs: First up, St. Austell Bay’s James Whetter/Guy Michell duo, the county number one pairing, defeated first team compatriots, Tom Lyle and Ross Lashbrook (Launceston), 21/19. This was followed by Emily James and Vicky Thomas (Falmouth/St. Just), accounting (21/14), for the young CYB-partnership of Hester Luke and Abigail Logg, from Penzance, who displayed promise to reach the Final, 21/14. Well done, young ladies!
David on the referee’s console:
David Burgess, an experienced International Referee, based in Barnstaple, North Devon, was the official in change. David has been in position, on his referee’s console, from 1985 – 2011 and has decided to retire this year.
When David he joined the Tournament, Pat Hollands, a co-founder, was the Tournament Secretary, who passed away in August, 2010.
THERE was a very high standard of play, with camaraderie to the fore, once again, in the Duchy of Cornwall 29th Open Badminton Championships, which was contested at its Home Base, Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, Near Redruth, over the Weekend of September 17/18, writes John Tresidder.
The prestigious Event, A Tournament in the BADMINTON England Senior Silver Circuit, with a prize fund totalling £1,260, also held two distinguished presentations on the second day.
Indeed, the famous Tournament, promoted by The Cornwall County Badminton Association, is known, affectionately, as one of the most enjoyable and best organised on the English Badminton Circuit.
Another bumper overall entry of around 100 players - with fifty and nineteen in the men’s and ladies’ singles, respectively - competed in the Championships, with competitors drawn from a good spread of English and Welsh Counties.
Blue ribband events:
DAY ONE saw Vikki Jones, the Ladies’ Singles number one seed, from Mid-Glamorgan winning her first Duchy, when she out-pointed Kelly Holdway, who hails from Hampshire, seeded two, 21/11, 21/16.
Meanwhile, Gloucestershire’s Chris Hotchen, the favourite, retained the Men’s Singles title, when he defeated, Will Hiton-Jackson, (Sussex, No. 2 seed), 21/17, 21/15. in the corresponding blue ribband discipline.
Miss Jones, in tandem with Nicolas Strange (South Glamorgan), went on to harvest the Mixed Doubles, in the early evening, to make it a glorious brace of titles on the first day, when overcoming the challenge of John Hepworth and Kelly Holdway, Hampshire’s top seeds, 21/16, 18/21, 21/12.
DAY TWO witnessed another feast of badminton in the Hall.
Kelly Holdway, Hampshire’s County First Team player, whilst partnering Elena Johnson, recorded a third Duchy trophy, defeating Jo Philp and Nicole Jacobs, the Cornish/Middlesex outfit, 21/8, 21/8. However, Jo and Nicole, a scratch duo, were seen to gell very efficiently and may well team up for another English “Open”, in the near future.
Men’s Doubles proves a fitting finale to an exhilarating weekend:
The proceedings were seen to go to the wire, with past champions, Devon’s Corby Brothers, Dan and Matt Corby, putting up a spirited performance, before going down, narrowly, to the Will. Hilton-Jackson and Daniel Charteres Susses/Hampshire combination, 20/22, 22/20, 28/26.
Many agreed, that the power play and exhausting rallies, would not have looked out of place on an International court, at times and had the spectators on the edge of their seats, throughout – therefore, congratulations, all four gentlemen.
Popular Jo’s wonderful Tournament:
The weekend also proved very successful, for Johanna Philp, aged 18, Cornwall’s number one lady, based at the Camelford, North Cornwall Club:
On the Saturday, she turned out with her usual “Open” partner, Dave Edgar, Cheshire, as one of two 3/4 seeds, to reach the Mixed Semi-finals, before winning through to the Ladies' Final, with Nicole Jacobs, on Day 2.
As a reward, for her efforts, she became the recipient of the 2011 Best Cornish Player, trophy, for the second year in a row.
Jo is a Midwifery student at Truro College and next Autumn, the bubbly and popular Port Isaac lady has ambitions to go up to the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, to read Midwifery, as well as to obtain a place at the University of Bath’s National Badminton Academy, which is renowned.
Young Hampshire badminton star catches the eye:
There was a most polished performance from 15-year old Kelvin Latimer, unseeded, from Portsmouth, an England Under-16 squad member, who reached the Men’s Singles semi-finals, going down, in style, to Will Hill-Jackson, the eventual runner-up, 21/15, 18/21, 18/21.
However, the talented young man, such a gentleman - on and off court - was awarded the 2011 Sporting Spirit Trophy. He is coached by Jack Webb, a past singles winner, and proved he has the potential to become a Duchy champion in the not too distant future – in 2013, possibly.
In addition, the writer is pretty confident Kelvin will progress to the England Badminton senior ranks, one day - watch this space.
Welcome callers to Hall:
Amongst the welcome callers, were Emma Austin, the BADMINTON England Development Officer, for Cornwall & West Devon and Mr. Paul Smith, the Headmaster of Truro School, in whose whose Sports Hall the Kerrier Junior Open and the England Bronze Tournaments are held.
Main Sponsors:
GRAPHIC SOLUTIONS - www.graphicsols.com - the Computer Company, from Farnborough, Hampshire, together with TAG SPORTS - www.tagsports.co.uk, in conjunction with YONEX UK LTD, joined forces, once more, as the Tournament’s joint main sponsors.
The Countryman Inns Free Houses Group, from Piece, Carnkie, Near Redruth, together Dales Renault, based at Scorrier and Summercourt, were amongst the other generous backers, of the Championships.
Cornwall County and CYB well represented:
There was another good turn out, from Cornwall, the host, of over twenty players, including a healthy contingent of youngsters from the successful Cornwall Youth Badminton (CYB) Organisation, which has Jenny Marchant at the helm, as Chairman and a Main Sponsor in Dairy Crest Davidstow, of the Cornish Cathedral City Cheese Company.
Indeed, in the Duchy’s Men’s and Ladies’ Doubles “Plate” Finals, there were All-Cornish Affairs: First up, St. Austell Bay’s James Whetter/Guy Michell duo, the county number one pairing, defeated first team compatriots, Tom Lyle and Ross Lashbrook (Launceston), 21/19. This was followed by Emily James and Vicky Thomas (Falmouth/St. Just), accounting (21/14), for the young CYB-partnership of Hester Luke and Abigail Logg, from Penzance, who displayed promise to reach the Final, 21/14. Well done, young ladies!
David on the referee’s console:
David Burgess, an experienced International Referee, based in Barnstaple, North Devon, was the official in change. David has been in position, on his referee’s console, from 1985 – 2011 and has decided to retire this year.
When David he joined the Tournament, Pat Hollands, a co-founder, was the Tournament Secretary, who passed away in August, 2010.
Bill Andrew, Vice President, BADMINTON England, Alan Williams, EBA Recipient, Brenda Andrew, Tony Poole, Kellen Moore,
CYB Under-15 squad member and a student at Camborne Science College.
Distinguished presentations to David and Alan:
On the Sunday Morning, there were two distinguished presentations in the Carn Brea Hall:
Firstly, Mrs. Linda Collins, the Tournament Chairman and Secretary, on behalf of her Committee, proceeded to give thanks and presented Mr. David Burgess, an International official, from Barnstaple, North Devon, the retiring Duchy Open Referee, of 26 years, with a delightful cut-glass wine decanter, inscribed, supplied by Trophyman, Camborne.
Following on, Mr. Bill Andrew, BADMINTON England’s Vice President, accompanied by Mr. Tony Poole, the Cornwall Chairman, gave a citation and presented Mr. Alan Williams, from Camborne, with The English Badminton Award (EBA), “In recognition of long-standing exceptional service to Badminton In England”.
Camborne Science College student, Kellen Moore, aged 13, from the Cornwall Youth Badminton Under-15 squad, presented Mrs. Brenda Andrew (EBA), with a bouquet of flowers, arranged by Mills, the Florists, of Camborne.
Alan, Mr. Cornwall Badminton, a player, coach/administrator, a Co-founder of the Duchy Open and a Plymouth Argyle Football trialist, in his Youth, is the current President of Cornwall Youth Badminton, as well as being the Chairman/Coach of the First Edition Junior Badminton Club, based in Pool, near Redruth, sponsored by the Redruth Charity Trust.
It is the second time that Cornwall has been bestowed with this supreme England, “Lifetime Service” honour, with the Late Mrs. Pat Hollands, MBE, Reawla, near Hayle, being in receipt of hers, in 1998 and Mr. Burgess granted his EBA in 2007.
* Duchy Committee of Management, 2011:
Mrs. Linda Collins: Chairman & Hon. Tournament Secretary;
Mr. David Burgess: Hon. Tournament Referee;
Mr. Paul Martin: Hon. Treasurer;
Mr. Paul Collins: Hon. Tournament Co-ordinator;
Mr. John Tresidder: Hon. Press/Promotions Officer.
Anne and Colin Ransley, together with Lester Lashbrook and Dave Philp, did a sterling job as helpers, including with the poular “wine and nibbles” event.
Mrs. Collins wishes to give thanks to the following:
Mr and Mrs. Andrew, Cheshire, the Duchy’s Guests-of-Honour, David Burgess, the Referee, the sponsors, players, supporters, spectators and helpers, alike, as well as the Carn Brea Leisure Centre Management & Staff and the ZestCafe, who served up the delightful and well received lunches, over two days.
29TH DUCHY BADMINTON OPEN – FULL RESULTS:
MAIN DRAW EVENTS:
1). Ladies’ Singles:
Semi-finals:
Vikki Jones (Mid-Glam bt. Amy Reddaway (Somerset) - 21/18, 21/6;
Kelly Holdway (Hants) bt. Alice King (Essex) - 21/11, 21/11.
Final:
Miss Jones bt. Miss Holdway - 21/11, 21/16.
2). Men’s Singles:
Semi-finals:
Chris Hotchen (Glos) bt Raj Popat (Gwent) - 21/17, 19/21, 24/22;
Will Hilton-Jackson (Sussex) bt. Kelvin Latimer (Hants),
15/21, 21/18, 21/18.
Final:
Hotchen bt. Hilton-Jackson, 21/17, 21/15 (trophy retained).
3). Ladies’ Doubles:
Semi-finals:
Elena Johnson/Kelly Holdway (MIddlesex/Hants) bt.
Alice King and Sarah Gray (Essex/Sussex) - 21/8, 21/7;
Jo Philp/Nicole Jacobs (Cornwall/Middlesex) bt. Hannah and Sophie Laidler (both Devon) – 21/8, 21/18.
Final:
Miss Johnson/Miss Holdway bt. Miss Philp/Miss Jacobs - 21/8, 21/8.
4.) Men’s Doubles:
Semi-finals:
Will Hilton-Jackson/Daniel Chartres (Susses/Hants) bt.
S. Jacobs/Ackerman – 21/17, 23/21.
Dan Corby and Matt Corby (both Devon) bt. Keith Cuncarr/David Edgar (Lancs/ Cheshire) – 21/19, 20/22, 21/16.
Final:
Hiton-Jackson/Chartres bt. D. Corby/M. Corby -
20/22, 22/20, 28/26.
5). Mixed Doubles:
Semi-finals:
John Hepworth/Kelly Holdway (both Hants) bt. David Edgar (Cheshire/Cornwall) – 21/19, 16/21, 21/19;
Nicolas Strange/Vikki Jones (South Glam/Mid Glam), bt Jamie Roberton
Suzanne Owens (both Devon) - 21/14, 21/14.
Final:
Nicolas. Strange/Miss Jones bt. Hepworth/Miss Holdway -
21/16, 18/21, 21/12
KNOCK-OUT “PLATE” COMPETITIONS, FOR
MAIN DRAW 1ST ROUND LOSERS: FINALS:
1). Ladies’ Singles:
Sarah Gray, (Sussex) bt. Nicole Jacobs (Middlesex) - 21/15.
2). Men’s Singles:
Johnathan Evans (Dorset) bt. Rhys Thomas (Dorset) - 21/15.
3). Ladies’ Doubles:
Emily James/Vicky Thomas (both Cornwall bt.
Hester Luke/Abigail Logg (both Cornwall) – 21/14.
4). Men’s Doubles:
James Whetter/Guy Michell (both Cornwall) bt
Tom Lyle/Ross Lashbrook (both Cornwall) – 21/19.
“Sporting Spirit”: Kelvin Latimer, aged 15, Hants.
“Best Cornish Player”: Jo Philp, Port Iaaac-based, from the
Camelford Club - re-awarded.
