Kingsteignton Shuttles Junior Badminton Club has just held its annual end of season tournament for 2024 and as per previous years the players were split into two groups.
In Group Two, seven players took part with everyone playing each other twice, with the top four going through to the semi-finals. Molly Swain, Lauren Peat, Tilly Davis, and Seth Kelly all making the semi-final line up, all matches were played to a first of 15 points.
Just like previous years the handicapping system worked very well. This resulted in some very close games which could have gone either way and with the league being determined on a points won system, every point counted.
This was the way with Seth as he made the semi-finals by just one point at the expense of Cameron Davies and would play fellow newcomer Molly in the semi-finals, Molly was too strong for Seth and easily won 15-7 to make the final, The other semi-final though was a totally different affair with pre-tournament favourite Lauren coming up against a determined Tilly and with Tilly starting on four points due to the handicapping system, came flying out of the blocks and opened up an eight point lead, Lauren fought back well but it was Tilly who made the final by winning 15-13.
The Final between Molly and Tilly was a little one-sided with nerves getting the better of Tilly. She tried hard but it was Molly who kept her composure and easily won 15-4 and becoming the champion in her first season at the club.
In Group One, ten players took part with the top four progressing to the semi-finals. The four who made it through would be Alex Wonnacott, Sefa Keskin, Toby Bosanko, and Theo Kelly, with no real favourite the title was up for grabs for any one of the four semi-finalists,
Alex who got knocked out at this stage last year went one better and made the final by beating Theo 15-9, the other semi-final was a little closer with two evenly matched players, but it was Sefa who overcame a determined Toby winning 15-11 to set up the final against Alex.
In the group match Alex narrowly beat Sefa 15-14, would history repeat itself in the final, both players were certainly up for it and with some wonderful shot play and long rallies it made for one of the best finals we have had, Sefa was a man on a mission and gave nothing away and made every shot count and in the end came away with a convincing 15-8 victory to get his name on the trophy for the first time.
Our sportsmanship award this year was given to a player who missed out on the semi-finals by just one point but had the right attitude throughout the tournament and never gave up to the very end, The sportsmanship award this year went to a well-deserved Cameron Davies.
The Club would like to thank all the coaches and committee members who give their time voluntarily, Dave Hambly, Andy Peat, Chloe Hambly and George English.
If you know someone who is interested in playing junior badminton, ages 8-18, then contact Club Secretary, Chloe Hambly at [email protected]
