Gwent Junior Open

Posted by James Phillips at 06:09 on 22 September 2014

Gwent J.Open

The first junior open took place at Ebbw Vale on a sunny Sunday 21st September. After a slow start with entries a late flurry saw all events take place.

At Under 13 level Lydia Morris (Gwent) won the girls singles defeating Lucy Parker (Hereford) in the deciding game 13/15, 15/11,15/8. The boys singles saw Daniel Clarke (Carmarthen) ease to victory against Will Summors (Gwent) 15/6, 15/7. Then onto the Girls doubles, which saw Aimie & Lucie Whiteman (Gwent) defeat Lydia Morris & Kelly Yip (Gwent) 15/8, 15/7. The boys doubles saw Will + Daniel team up to prevail over Max Williams + Josh Phillips from Hereford 15/8, 15/12. The mixed decider was an all Hereford affair with Lucy Parker + Max Williams taking the title 15/9, 9/15, 15/13 against team mates Harriet Hastings and Josh Phillips.

At Under 15 level the boys singles was a high class affair with many good players on view. Both semi finals were close and Jac Clarke (Carmarthen) and Michael Pritchard (NEWBA) were worthy finalists. Jac proved just too good for Michael winning 15-11, 15-10. The girls singles saw top seed Rhea Hemmadi (S.Glam) defeat Lowri Hart (Pembrokeshire) in a good game. The girls doubles was won by Rhea + Katie Whiteman (Gwent) who defeated Isobel Adams and Bethany Jones 15-8, 15-11. The boys doubles saw lots of good games before Iwan Price (Gwent) + scratch partner Ben Phillips (Hereford) saw off Chad Warren + Will McGill (Hereford) to take top spot. Onto the mixed where four good pairs played a round robin. Isobel Adams (Gwent) and Michael Pritchard (NEWBA) were winners from Kelly Yip + Iwan Price (Gwent).

The Under 17 boys singles final was an excellent game before Rory Xiao (South Glam) took gold over team mate James Morris (Gwent) 15/12 in a titanic third set. James then teamed up with Matt Reynolds (Powys) to take the doubles from Keiron Yip + Tomos Jones (South Glam). Megan Pritchard won the girls singles defeating Mhairi McGill (Hereford) 16/14, 15/8. Megan joined up with Olivia Samuels (Gwent) to take the title with Mhairi + Amy Hastings (Hereford) runners-up. Megan + James then finished off in style defeating brother and sister Will + Mhairi McGill to lift the mixed doubles title 15/6, 17/15.

A great day’s badminton was had by all and some very tired bodies left at the end of the afternoon. Thanks to John Walsh(umpire) and the Gwent committee for all their hard work.

Picture above - Under 15 Girls Singles Finalists, Rhea Hemmadi & Lowri Hart.

Front page picture - Under 15 Boys Singles Finalists, Jac Clarke & Michael Pritchard

For the full set of results please click here.

Chris and Alison Pritchard (tournament organisers)