A YEHLEX Badminton Bonanza took place at the Helston School Sports Hall, Church Road, Helston, and attracted 60 adult competitors, writes John Tresidder, with Kath Wotton.

The players, from across Cornwall, took part in events for men’s doubles, ladies’ doubles and mixed doubles events.

The competitors were divided into league and social players and with county players excluded from the tournament, it thus allowed many of the players the chance to experience tournament badminton for the first time, but on an equal footing with their fellow competitors.

This format proved very successful with many hard fought games.

The winners were – Men’s league doubles: Tom Armstrong/Mike Finch (Truro); runners-up: Danny Gilman (FE)/Dave Lockwood (Helston School) Ladies’ league doubles: Claire Maple/Wendy Smith (Mounts Bay); runners-up: Tracy Watkinson/Bev Grant (FE).

Mixed league doubles: Trevelyan Searle/Claire Maple (Mounts Bay); runners-up: Danny Gilman/Bev Grant (FE).

Men’s social doubles: Chris Cox Webber (Germoe)/Martin Penny (Connor Downs); runners-up Illangovan Arunkumar/Kailish (Truro).

Ladies’ social doubles: Jo Atack (Pensilva)/Alison Turpie (Camborne); runners-up: Julia Biggs/Tina Prestwood (Roseland).

Mixed social doubles: Grant Russell/Natalie Rawson (Bodmin College); runners-up: Martin Penny/Alison Turpie.

n Players from the Helston area were approached to assess the possibility of reforming the once-strong Helston Badminton Club and, with positive support coming from this event it is hoped that the club can be re-launched on Thursday evenings early next year.

In respect of prospective and past players from Helston and district wishing to find out further details about this possibility, contact the County Badminton Development Officer, Kath Wotton on 07738 890043, or e-mail kathwotton@badmintonengland.co.uk