Badminton is Back!
There was a welcome return of Cornwall County Badminton’s Restricted Championships last weekend at Cornwall College’s Pool sports hall after a long missing year, to find the top players in the county once again. Familiar faces met new talent, and reunited with players making comebacks in a celebration of competitive badminton.
Day 1 featured the men’s singles and doubles, and top seed Harry Dyer from Truro progressed to the final, but not before a three-ended battle with clubmate Josh Richards.
Waiting for Harry in the final was Milo Semonin, returning to Cornwall from his university course. After an impressive start by both men, there was a long delay for the unfortunate Milo who went down with cramp, but recovered to continue before Harry’s speed and style won his first singles title.
In the men’s doubles there was a strong line-up of experienced and newer pairings, with the four seeded pairs making it through to the semi-finals. Launceston’s Tom Lyle paired up with Elliot, the middle of the 3 Dyer brothers playing, and they beat Jack and Harry Dyer in a great display of tactical, attacking badminton.
In the other semi, Milo and former singles champion Tyler Sillifant from Launceston just edged out the experienced St Austell pair of James Whetter and Guy Michell in two tight ends.
Milo and Tyler were no match for Elliot and Tom in the final, who gave a powerful demonstration of successful doubles play to win.
Day two was ladies day in Pool, the morning given over to singles and doubles, and dominated by Cornwall’s international player from Liskeard, Cara Collins, who comfortably won the singles competition for the third year, with the promising Joanna Vyvyan coming second.
Cara teamed up with Camborne’s Bronwen Wotton to win the doubles, outpointing the evergreen Lynda Beer and Jan Santillo from Callington and Liskeard.
A good entry in the mixed doubles with pairs from all over Cornwall, saw the four seeds progress to the semi-finals, where Harry and Cara swept away elder brother Jack and Joanna.
Disaster struck in the other match between Tom and Bronwen, playing James and Jo Spooner, making her welcome comeback. After winning an exciting first end, Tom and Bronwen were looking good before Bronwen had to concede following a leg injury.
Once again, in the final Harry and Cara stormed to victory over James and Jo after some stunning rallies to retain their title and help Cara become a triple champion for the third year in a row.
In a new venture organized by Badminton England, each of the winners will be invited to play in the Champion of Champions event against other counties at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keys in December – a great opportunity to showcase Cornish badminton.
Results –
Men’s singles Harry Dyer beat Milo Semonin 21/12 21/15
Women’s singles Cara Collins winner, Joanna Vyvyan second.
Men’s doubles Tom Lyle/Elliot Dyer beat Milo Semonin/Tyler Sillifant 21/16 21/10
Women’s doubles Cara Collins/Bronwen Wotton winners, Jan Santillo/Lynda Beer second.
Mixed doubles Harry Dyer/Cara Collins beat James Whetter/Jo Spooner 21/16 21/9
Plate results –
Men’s singles winner Jack Dyer
Men’s doubles winners Jack Dyer/Harry Dyer
Mixed doubles winners Bob Bell/Lynda Beer
