BADMINTON: SHUTTLES RETURN TO TERRA FIRMA, WITH PAUL REGISTERING A MARVELLOUS BRACE OF TITLES There was a record entry of 134 overall, including a remarkable sixty six, in the Men’s Singles Discipline, for the Duchy of Cornwall 23rd “Open” Badminton Championships, which is known universally, as one of the most popular and hospitable on the English Badminton circuit and which proved very successful, indeed, writes John Tresidder. The prestigious Event, in its 6th year as a Badminton England “Satellite” Ranking Tournament and with the prize-fund, swollen to £1,185, was staged at Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, Near Redruth – over last weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 17th / 18th. Competitors were drawn from a pleasing spread of twenty-seven English and Welsh Counties, with Hampshire sending down its usual enthusiastic squad of thirty and Cornwall, the Host, replying with ten, including a heartening contingent of youngsters in: Guy Michell, St. Austell, Shane Maton Callington,Chris Glasson and Phil Simmons (Camborne) and Launceston’s Tom Lyle. Withdrawal of three seeds: Sadly, owing to injuries, the Tournament lost three of its top seeds, a few days before play got underway: Gloucestershire’s Rebecca Pantaney (Ladies’ Singles, Doubles and Mixed) South Glamorgan’s Min Zhu (Singles and Doubles) and Mike Haywood (Mixed). Consequently, Betty Blair, from Exton, Near Exeter and South Glamorgan’s Paul Le-Tocq, were therefore “promoted” to the number one berths in these blue ribband events, with Miss Blair bidding for a remarkable eighth Duchy Singles Title in the process. However, Betty and Paul maintained their original positions in the singles’ draw. Brace of titles for Paul: Paul Le-Tocq aged twenty three, who is studying at the University of Cardiff and whose Family home is in Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, has always been a supreme technician and he produced a great weekend of badminton lifting two inaugural Duchy titles and reaching the Men’s Doubles Final, as well. Paul was involved in a three-ended battle-royale, against Ben Witham, Gloucestershire, in his semis, then went on to lift his first Duchy title, when he out-pointed Hampshire’s Mark Ashton, 17/14, 15/11, in the final. He then paired up with his South Glamorgan colleague, Kerry Ann Sheppard, in the Mixed Doubles, where the duo defeated Hampshire’s Trevor Darlington and Betty Blair, Devon, the 2001 champions, in a close encounter, 15/13, 9/15, 15/12. However, there was a warm welcome for the popular Trevor, from Joint Main sponsors, Badders.com who, owing to business commitments, had been unable to compete in Cornwall, for a while. Hana created a shock, as Jo became the new champion: Hampshire’s Hana Littlecott created a shock on day one in the singles, when she defeated Betty Blair, 11/5, 11/8, in the Ladies’ Singles second round, after Miss Blair received a bye in the 1st Round. Hana then accounted for Caroline Simpson, Gloucestershire’s defending champion, in the semi-finals, before progressing to the final where she won the first game, but was seen to go down in three ends to Jo Dix, aged 24, her county compatriot, 4/11, 11/8, 11/3, who secured an inaugural Duchy singles win in the process. Kerry Ann Sheppard and Jo Dix reached another final, as a combination - the Ladies’ Doubles - but the duo went down to the experience of Jo Sullivan and Sarah Burgess, the Gloucestershire/Hampshire outfit, 15/3, 15/8. Credit due: All credit, though, to the runners-up, who came together owing to the withdrawal of Miss Pantaney, the former England International. Also, Sarah Burgess was the popular recipient of the Sporting Spirit Trophy, which was a bonus, coming on top of the Ladies’ success, for the Southampton-based lady. Another scratch outfit was Paul Le-Tocq and Matthew Sprake, who fought marvelously to progress to the Men’s Doubles final. The duo were matched, after Min Zhu could not compete. However, Le-Tocq was seen to be exhausted, following his endeavours over the weekend and they went down to Chris and Peter Shepperd, the Hampshire brothers, who are, indeed, a class act themselves, 15/2, 15/2. Mr. John Havers and Mr. Eric Brown, Guests-of-Honour: The Guests-of-Honour were Mr. John Havers, The President of Badminton England, Milton Keynes-based, together with Mr. Eric Brown, Badminton England’s Acting Chief Executive, who both supported the Event and attended to a number of the presentations on the Sunday. Mr. Brown commented: “I enjoyed the Duchy Event and feel that the resurgence of interest in the Sport of Badminton, generally, including in this year’s Duchy Open, is owing to two reasons: Firstly, to the exploits of Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson in winning the silver medal in the Mixed Doubles, in the Athens Olympics, 2004 and, secondly, to the energy and enthusiasm of the Satellite Circuit, allied to the greater interest in Badminton, being displayed by the Universities of England and Wales.” Guy thrilled by his Award: St. Austell’s Guy Michell, aged 16, the Cornwall Player, competing in his debut Duchy “Open”, was voted The Best Cornish Player. This was in respect of his winning two rounds of the Men’s Singles “Plate”, thus reaching the semi-finals, on day one and then, on day two, winning through to the semis of the Men’s Doubles “Plate”, in tandem with Kernow Colleague, Bob Bell, the experienced England Vets International, from Redruth. Main Sponsors: Badders.com - www.badders.com - the independent voice of Badminton, from Hampshire, together with Tag Sports - www.tagsports.co.uk - from Newton Abbot. South Devon and Portsmouth, Hants, in conjunction with Yonex U. K. Ltd., were the joint main sponsors, with Mr. Andy Hartley, Yonex’s Promotions Executive, Racquet Sports, assisting Tag Sports, in the hall, over the weekend. In addition, The Countryman Inns Group, from Piece, Carnkie, near Redruth and Dales Renault, based at Scorrier, & Summercourt, together with Competitor Jack Webb’s Construction Company, J. C. Renovations, of Southsea, Hants, were amongst the other generous sponsors. New floral sponsor: There was a new and welcome floral sponsor in: Brides And Flowers, the Florist and Bridalware Company, from Trelowarren Street, Camborne, whose display of flowers adorned the hall over the weekend. Its Proprietors, Trevor and Valerie Dalley, were the Founders of Camborne’s famous Trevithick Day. Appreciation: The Saturday evening saw Mrs. Ann Ransley and Paul Collins, arranging a successful cheese and wine hospitality function, in the hall, for players, officials and sponsors, together with the organisation of the raffle. Amongst the supporters in the hall were: Mr. Mike Avery, the Cornwall Badminton President, who was accompanied by his wife, Pauline, herself a past County Secretary, together with Mrs. Jenny Marchant, the Cornwall County Badminton Chairman and Tony Poole, the New Chairman of Cornwall Youth Badminton (CYB). And, Mrs. Marchant, who is also a Cornish water-colour artist in her own right, presented one of her originals – “Lerryn” – to Guy Michell. Mrs. Collins, on behalf of her Committee, wishes to express her grateful thanks to the following: Badders.com and Tag Sports/Yonex U.K. Ltd - including for its supply of the Event’s “AEROSENSA 40” feather shuttlecocks - and indeed all the advertisers; The Umpire, Mr. Allan Potter, from Shaftesbury, Dorset; Carn Brea’s Management, Staff & the ZESTCAFE’s Personnel: including: Mr. Alex Clifton, the Centre Manager, Mrs. Lynn Butler, the Special Events Co-ordinator, in respect of their sterling work, prior to and over the weekend; The players, supporters, spectators and helpers, alike. Duchy Committee of Management: Mrs. Linda Collins, Camborne: Chairman & Hon. Tournament Secretary; Mr. David Burgess: Hon. Tournament Referee; Mr. Paul Martin: Treasurer; Mr. Paul Collins: Tournament Co-ordinator; Mrs. Ros. White: Sponsorship Co-ordinator. Mr. John Tresidder: Press Officer. Finally, the comprehensive review/results, will also be posted/made live on the Badminton Website: www.badders.com DIARY: The 24th Duchy “Open”, is scheduled for September 16th / 17th, 2006. DUCHY OF CORNWALL 23RD “OPEN” BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS: RESULTS: 1). LADIES’ SINGLES: Semi-finals: Miss J. Dix (Hants) bt. Miss K. A. Sheppard (South Glam), 13/11,11/5; Miss H. Littlecott (Hants) bt. Miss C Simpson, defending champion (Gloucs), 11/4, 7/11, 11/9; Final: Miss Dix bt. Miss H. Littlecott: 4/11, 11/8, 11/3. 2). MEN’S SINGLES: Semi-finals: P. Le-Tocq (South Glam) bt. B. Witham (Gloucs), 15/12, 3/15, 15/13; M. Ashton (Hants) bt. R. Reid (Bucks) – 17/14, 15/3; Final: Le-Tocq bt. Ashton 17/14, 15/11. 3). MIXED DOUBLES: Semi-finals: P. Le-Tocq/Miss K. A. Sheppard (both South Glam) bt. J. Andrews/Mrs. K. Chittenden (Wilts/Avon), 15/8, 15/8; T. Darlington/Miss B. Blair (Hants/Devon) bt. S. Webber/Miss S. Burgess,(Lancs/Hants) 15/11, 15/11 Final: P. Le-Tocq/Miss Sheppard bt. T. Darlington/Miss Blair, 15/13, 9/15, 15/12. 4). LADIES’ DOUBLES: Semi-finals: Miss K. A Sheppard/Miss J. Dix (South Glam & Hants) bt. Miss H. Crump/Miss G. Stewart, (Kent), 15/8, 15/4; Miss J. Sullivan/Miss S. Burgess (Gloucs/Hants) bt. Miss C. Webb/Miss K. Gittins (Hants), 15/6, 15/6; Final: Miss Sullivan /Miss Burgess bt. Miss Sheppard/Miss Dix, 15/3, 15/8. 5). MEN’S DOUBLES: Semi-finals: C. Shepperd/P. Shepperd (both Hants) bt. D. Edgar/K. Cuncarr (both Lancs.) 15/5, 15/2; P. Le-Tocq/M. Sprake, scratch outfit, (South Glam/Cheshire), bt. J. Horsfield/D. Winter (Gloucs/Glam) 5/8, 15/7; Final: C. Shepperd/P. Shepperd bt. Le-Tocq/Sprake, 15/2, 15/2. * KNOCK-OUT “PLATE” COMPETITIONS FOR 1ST ROUND LOSERS: 1). Ladies Singles: Miss K. Lester (Herts), bt. Miss H. Crump (Kent), 21/14. 2). Men’s Singles: C. Raw (Oxon) bt. D. Edgar (Lancs.) 21/20. 3). Ladies’ Doubles: Miss K. Clements/Miss A. Walters (Avon/Wilts), bt. Miss K. Marsh/Miss K. Frost (Hants) 21/11. 4). Men’s Doubles: S. Hulbert/J. Andrews (both Wilts) bt A. Kindred/G. Ball, both Hants, 21/16.