The Cornwall Under-15 and Under-17 Dairy Crest Davidstow Junior Championships, 2008/2009, were staged at the fantastic new six-court sports hall at Penryn College, Poltisko Road, Penryn, on Saturday and Sunday January 10 and 11.

There was some excellent play and a few shocks, with over 100 eager youngsters competing.

Firstly, the U-15 County Championships attracted thirty nine entrants with a good number of girls turning out. This all made for an excellent day's badminton with outstanding performances from many of the players from across the county.

In the boys’ singles, the experienced Ben Cooper (Penryn College), took on new boy Kris Jasper.

An exciting final ensued, where Ben threw everything he had at the talented and composed, Kris, but it was the experience and determination that came through, eventually, with Ben winning 21-17, 21-16.

The girls’ singles saw the much improved Bethany Wotton (Leedstown), competing against Imogen Powell (Helston).

It was a close contest with Imogen, a Truro School student, coming from behind to win 21-17, 21-19.

After coming through some tough matches in their boxes the finalists in the boys’ doubles were Ben Cooper and Sam Spencer (Penryn College) and Lee Chapple and Tony Marshall.

In one of the best matches of the day, which went to three ends, there was some excellent doubles play. Ben and Sam securing the first end, 21-18, before Lee and Tony rallied, to take the second 21-6. The third and deciding end changed lead several times - then after saving match point Lee and Tony went on to win 23-21.

The girls’ doubles witnessed another exciting three ended match between Charlotte Somerville and Corinna Garbett and Emma Higson and Stacey Pascoe . Stacey and Emma showed great fighting spirit to win the match 21-18, 17-21, 21-18.

The final event of the day, the mixed doubles also went to three ends. Lee Chapple and Bethany Wotton took on Ben Cooper and Imogen Powell in the final.

In a close first end Lee and Bethany took it 23-21, Ben and Imogen proceeded to fight back and won the second 21-18. In the third, the experience of the counties top U-15 mixed pairing of Lee and Beth, came up trumps won the deciding game, 21-10. The strength and depth across the U-15 age group is evident in the eleven different finalists and seven different winners. Meanwhile, on day two, Cornwall U17s travelled from across the County to Penryn College.

There was a strong field from across both U-17 and U-15 age groups, with the U-15 players putting considerable pressure on their elder peers throughout the day.

A field of some forty players reflected the growing strength of numbers and quality which is now widespread across Cornwall. In the girls’ singles Jo Philip defeated Bronwen Wotton in two ends with powerful play.

The boys doubles saw Ross Lashbrook and Patrick Davis play James Payne Callington School and Trevelyan Greenhall Helston College.

Ross and Patrick took the game to their opponents and were ruthless in their attack taking every opportunity to put James and TJ under pressure.

Quality serving and a sheer determination to dictate the rallies resulted in a strong performance. James is the shinning light of the new group of players who entered the U17s this season and will no doubt be back in the finals next year.

TJ should also take pride from achieving a finals berth, having worked tirelessly since his arrival on the county scene some twelve months ago.

In the girls doubles round robin competition the winners were Bethany Wotton, Hayle School, and Imogen Powell, Truro School with 63 points This was a major upset, with possibly a changing of the guard, as Beth and Imogen’s game continues to progress.

In the deciding game, the youngsters- both Under-15 - clawed their way back into contention and with great attacking play and defence defeated the favourites.

At the conclusion of the Championships’ first weekend, Dairy Crest Davidstow announced their continued sponsorship of Cornwall Youth Badminton with a further generous donation of £250 to support the U-17 Harrod Inter-Counties Tournament Team, as they compete against the very best players from across England, at Nottingham University in early April, 2009.