LAUNCESTON COLLEGE AND TRURO SCHOOL PROGRESS TO NATIONAL SCHOOLS’ FINALS AT LUTON Cornwall fared well on both days in the Top Schools' South West Championships, held at the University of Exeter University, on the weekend of February 4th / 5th writes John Tresidder with David Hunt. On Day One, the Saturday, Launceston College finished as undefeated champions of the Boys’ Under-14 competition and Truro School retained the Girls' Under-14 crown they won last year - without conceding a game. The Truro team was captained by Claire Whitmore and included Johanna Philp, Emily Waller and Gaby Cecil. Both the winners will go on to represent the South West in the National finals at Luton on March 18th, when the Truro Girls will welcome the return of the injured Aimee Hutchinson. Truro School Boys’ Under-14’s won the third place play off, 3-2 against Torquay Boys' Grammar School. And, this young team - captained by Peter Sinclair - can be proud of what they achieved and comprised Joe Abraham (who won all but one singles), Sam Reed, Kieran Bhardwaj and James Grant. On the Sunday, Torquay Boys’ Grammar were able to exact a little revenge when they defeated the Truro Under-16 Boys’ Team, 3-2, to grab the title and push Truro into the runners-up berth. Launceston also finished a creditable third with number one, Tom Lyle losing only one singles game. Truro School Under-16 Girls were just pipped to the title by losing 3-2 to a strong Exmouth Community College side who were the eventual winners. Highlight of the day: The highlight of the day was Truro School’s first ever win over Ivybridge Community College, at this level, and in particular the excellent win of Truro number one, Emily James, who defeated the highly rated Verity Pitts, a Kerrier Junior Badminton Champion, for the first time, winning 15-7. The Truro Boys, captained by Chris Glasson, lost only two singles all day, and included in the line-up - Phillip Bennett, Jamie Bell, James Honeybone and Rob Newlands, who remained undefeated in the process. Truro Girls were captained by Alice Jefferson and comprised Emily James, Clare Whitmore and the Johanna Philp, who remained unbeaten. And, it is pleasing to report that both Truro School teams recently learned that they had qualified as best runners-up for the Nationals at Luton, so the Duchy will be well represented on the National stage once again. Meanwhile, The Cornwall 40’s Vets Team, notched up their 1st win of the 2005/2006 season with a comprehensive 10 – 2 victory, away to Somerset on February 19th There was a strong performance from the Duchy, overall, with Nigel Holmes and Adam Widdison both winning all three rubbers. Cornwalll Team: Nigel Holmes, Adam Widdison, Al. Riggs, Brian Gilbert, Jan. Santillo, Linda Beer, Lorna Riggs and Sue Biscoe. By John Tresidder County Badminton Email: john@jtbuildingdesign.wanadoo.co.uk