Cornwall Youth Badminton’s Under-15 and Under-17 Teams were both recently in action, writes John Tresidder, with Kath Wotton & Alan Williams: The Under-15’s set off bright and early in the morning to take on Wiltshire in Pewsey. The team was changed a little, as some the players were away on holiday, owing to the Half-term break. This, however, was a great opportunity for some of the other very promising CYB squad members have their chance, which they all took brilliantly. The line up was as follows: Chris Glasson (Camborne) Claire Whitmore (Carnon Downs) Wil Pepworth (Bradworthy) Bronwen Wotton (Leedstown) Ross Lashbrook (Launceston) Johanna Philp (Port Isaac) Patric Davis (Beaworthy) Amee Hutchinson (Truro) Rob Newlands (Ponsanooth) Maddy Easterbrook # (Leedstown) Rob Hicks # (Launceston) Charlotte Heather # (Leedstown) # recalled to team The singles, as always, was a nail-biting affair, with Wiltshire getting home by 7 matches to 5. Chris Glasson continued his unbeaten run with a convincing two-ender. And Rob Hicks and Charlotte Heather both won their inaugural matches for Cornwall, having been recalled to the team, which was an impressive feat, indeed. Bronwen Wotton, meanwhile, won impressively against the Host’s Number 2, as did Johanna Philp, who won 13-11, in the deciding (3rd) end, while Wil Pepworth and Patric Davis were both unlucky to lose their games in very close three-enders. The doubles was also seen to go in Wiltshire's favour, 11-7. The Chris/Wil and Bronwen/Claire combinations, both went down to their respective first pairings, from Wilts., in three close games, but proceeded to beat the second and third pairings. Then, Ross and Patric beat the Wiltshire third pair, whilst Rob Newlands and Rob Hicks were unlucky to lose 17-16, in the 3rd end of their encounter. The Jo/Amy and Maddy/Charlotte outfits, all won against their third pair opponents. Therefore, after the doubles, Cornwall were 18-12 adrift. Cornwall needed to win all the mixed doubles to manage a draw which was always going to be a tall order, but the spirit within the team ensured that it would not go down without a fight. Some magnificent battles took place, with the Wil/Claire, Patric/Amy, Rob Newlands/Maddy Easterbrook and Rob Hicks/Charlotte Heather partnerships, all coming up trumps. Chris and Bronwen went down in an enthralling match, against some strong opposition, and Jo and Ross were unlucky to lose out, in yet another close three-ender. That made the final result 20 – 16, in Wiltshire’s favour and the Duchy’s best performance to date. And, if a few of the numerous three-enders, In which Kernow went down in had gone our way, what a different story it would have been. The good news is that the Under-15’s team is continuing to improve, which bodes well for the future of Cornish badminton. Cornwall’s “Player-of-the- Match” was Charlotte Heather who took on the challenge of being recalled to the Under 15’s with true grit. Charlotte - along with Johanna and Maddy - currently plays for CYB’s Under-13 team and was the Duchy’s youngest player. The youngster managed to win 3 out of 5 games, which was a magnificent achievement - managing to keep her cool and placing the shuttle with great skill. Well done, indeed, Charlotte, the future is looking good. Meanwhile, Cornwall Youth Badminton’s Under-17 Team registered a fine 20 rubbers to 16 win, when it hosted its Wiltshire counterparts at Truro School. In an encounter, closely-contested, honours were even for the majority of the day, with neither team being able to assert any supremacy over the other. After twelve games of singles and eighteen of doubles, the score was 15-all, with six mixed rubbers remaining on the programme, the tension was most apparent, in the competitors, supporters and spectators, alike. The mixed discipline of play, which acts as the culmination to a match, is traditionally not the Duchy’s strongest suit. However, the players were on such a high, they attacked their opponents with great skill and gusto. Having lost the first rubber, confidence did not wane and Kernow then rattled off five victories, in succession, without response, to record a hard-fought, but very well deserved victory. Chris Glasson and Luke Bristow, both Camborne, together with Hollie Abbott, all made debuts at this higher level and, although, conceding two years, in age, they all acquitted themselves exceptionally well, which augers well for both their team and the County’s future. Cornwall’s “Man-of-the-Match”: Douglas Andrews, Liskeard. Team Manager: Mr. Alan Williams, Camborne. CORNWALL TEAM: Dan Mock, Camborne (Captain); Douglas Andrews, Liskeard; Tom Lyle, Launceston Henry Sherwood, Saltash; Chris Glasson, Camborne; Luke Bristow, Camborne. Emily James, Falmouth; Claire Whitmore, Truro; Bronwen Wotton, Camborne; Alice Jefferson, Truro; Elie Stackpoole, Falmouth; Hollie Abbott, St. Austell. * Finally, the 11th Kerrier Junior Badminton Tournament is being staged at Truro School, Trennick Lane, Truro, this weekend, Saturday & Sunday, March 25th / 26th, from 9.30am each day. Watch out for the review, which will be published in the newspaper.