DAN’S EXCITING DAY: Cornwall U15’s hit the road early on the morning of Sunday January 29th to play Gloucestershire, at Cheltenham. Unfortunately, owing to sickness, our number Cornwall’s number one player, Chris Glasson, had to withdraw on the morning which left us one player short. We wish Chris a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him on court again very soon. Despite the disappointment, the squad remained positive and a feast of badminton followed. The team, captained jointly by Will. Pepworth and Claire Whitmore, was as follows: Chris Glasson (Camborne) withdrew Claire Whitmore (Carnon Downs) Will Pepworth (Bradworthy) Bronwen Wotton (Leedstown) Rob Newlands ( Ponsanooth) Johanna Philp (Port Isaac) Ross Lashbrook (Launceston) Amee Hutchinson (Truro)Patrick Davis (Beaworthy) Ka-men Tse (Camborne) Daniel Johnson (Liskeard) Emily Waller (Tregony) One player down meant that before the Duchy started out, it was 5 games down. Gloucestershire kindly leant us one of their players who proceeded to partner Dan in the doubles and Ka-men in the mixed, but, unfortunately, these games were classed as nul and void and didn’t count. The Singles, was hard fought, as is always the case. The girls faired better than the boys by winning 4 out of 6 games, with Clare, Bronwen, Johanna and Emily all coming up trumps. A special mention for Emily as this was her first win in a Cornwall Shirt and it was well deserved. Dan’s memorable County Debut: Dan Johnson, representing Cornwall for the first time, was the hero for the boys by winning their only singles rubber. Will. had a marathon match but unfortunately lost in the third end in setting. Therefore, following the singles we were 7-5 down. In the doubles, there were again some fine performances. Claire and Bronwen won all three and once again proved themselves to be a formidable outfit. Johanna and Amee also clinched a game. We picked up four more games in the boys’ doubles but, of course, the two rubbers won by Dan and his Gloucestershire partner didn’t count. Well done to Ross, Patrick, Rob and Amee who have now achieved their first Cornish wins, respectively. Therefore, after the doubles the score moved to 19-11 in Gloucestershire’s favour. Onto the mixed doubles - and Kernow’s skippers, Claire and Will., led from the front - by winning convincingly. Rob and Bronwen lost in a close and hard fought match, with both Patrick, Amee Ross and Johanna replying likewise Dan and Emily came back from being a set down to clinch their match in impressive style. Well done to Ka-men who also produced her first Cornish win in her mixed, but again we couldn’t count it on our tally of games. This left the final score at Gloucester 23 – Cornwall 13 and, taking into consideration being a player short, not a bad effort. Player of the match was awarded to the newcomer to the team Dan Johnson for a magnificent 4 out of 5 wins, in his first appearance for the Duchy. Well done, indeed, Dan. Joint Team Managers: Mrs. Kath Wotton & Mr. John Wotton. * Finally, Camelford Badminton Club lifted the West Briton “Bowl”, Cornwall’s Senior Badminton Trophy, when it defeated Liskeard, narrowly, by 5 rubbers to 4, at St. Austell,on Sunday 5th February 2006. A comprehensive match report is scheduled to appear in next week’s sports pages, wb: 13th Feb., as well as on this Website. John Tresidder, Cornwall County, CYB & Duchy “Open” Press Officer.