28TH DUCHY OF CORNWALL OPEN REVIEW

Johanna Philp receives the 'Best Cornish Player' award from Linda Collins, Chairman/Hon. Tournament Secretary (Photo:matesca)

Rachel and Chris take the Singles title’s at this year’s Cornwall Open.

Yet another memorable and successful weekend was experienced at the Duchy of Cornwall 28th “Open” Badminton Championships. There was a record entry of 132 representing 21 Counties, for the Tournament, which was staged at its usual venue, Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, Redruth, over the Weekend of September 18/19.

The first day’s play saw England’s number three ranked lady Rachel Howard of Hertfordshire seeded No. 1 for this Championships lift her first Cornwall Title by overcoming Hampshire’s Jo Dix in two very closely contested games. Soon afterwards Chris Hotchen of Gloucestershire lifted the Men’s Singles Trophy by outplaying Ben Muir of Hampshire in two straight sets. This was particularly pleasing win for Chris as he was the runner up at last year’s Open.

The Event, was celebrating its first year as a BADMINTON England “Silver” Ranking Tournament, (previously recognised as the Satellite series) with the prize-fund set at £1,260.

Main Sponsors:

GRAPHIC SOLUTIONS - www.graphicsols.com - the Computer Company, from Farnborough, Hampshire, together with Exeter’s TAG SPORTS - www.tagsports.co.uk in conjunction with YONEX UK LTD, once again were the Tournament’s joint main sponsors.

Meanwhile, Nick Lake’s Countryman Free Inns Group, with its HQ’s at Piece, Carnkie, Near Redruth, together Dales Renault, based at Scorrier and Summercourt, were amongst the other generous sponsors, of the Championships, which are known as one of the most popular on the English Badminton Circuit.

The Championships had for the time an official photographer – Matt Allen of Matesca Photography who was extremely busy - capturing the winners and runner’s up being presented with their trophies and awards and also taking various action shots during the two day event.

Day One, the singles events:

In the Ladies’ Singles, Rachel Howard was successful with a straight sets win over Jo Dix, 21/9 21/18

Meanwhile, Chris Hotchen lifted the Men’s Singles Trophy by beating Ben Muir 21/9 21/14.

Day two saw James Lauder and Elena Johnson lift the Mixed Doubles trophy by beating Devon’s Mark Trebble and Betty Blair in a very tightly contested match.

In the Ladies Doubles event, the trophy was lifted by Tournament regulars Sarah Burgess and Kelly Holdway of Hampshire who beat Elena Johnson and Kate Lester of Middlesex in the final.

The final event of the Championships, the Mens Doubles Final was thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators which was extremely competitive and of a high national standard. The eventual winners were Michael Whitehouse of Berkshire and Will Hilton-Jackson of Sussex who beat Keith Cuncarr and David Edgar of Lancashire in three very tight games.

Special Awards:

In the Special Awards, David Edgar (Lancashire) was the popular recipient of the Sporting Spirit Trophy, with Johanna Philp (Port Isaac) voted the Best Cornish Player by the Committee.

David on the referee’s console:

David Burgess, an experienced Referee, from Devon, was the official in charge of the play in the hall over the weekend.

Duchy Committee of Management, 2010:

Mrs. Linda Collins: Chairman/Hon. Tournament Secretary;
Mr. David Burgess: Hon. Tournament Referee;
Mr. Paul Martin: Hon. Treasurer;
Mr. Paul Collins: Tournament Co-ordinator/Hall Manager;

Linda Collins expresses her thanks to the following for the most successful weekend:

The sponsors, officials and helpers; The competitors, supporters and spectators; Carn Brea’s Management & Staff.

The comprehensive review/results, will be published in the Cornish & Devon Press, as well as being posted on the Cornwall Badminton Website: www.cornwallbadminton.co.uk


28th DUCHY OPEN RESULTS

LADIES SINGLES:

SEMI FINALS:

Jo Dix (Hampshire) bt Betty Blair (Devon) 21/16 21/14

Rachel Howard (Hertfordshire) bt Vikki Jones (Mid Glamorgan) 21/11 21/10

FINAL:

R. Howard bt J Dix 21/9 21/18


MENS SINGLES

SEMI FINALS:

Chris Hotchen (Gloucestershire) bt Daryl Jacobs (Middlesex) 9/2 Retd.

Ben Muir (Hampshire) bt Ben Tier (Hampshire) 17/21 21/19 21/15

FINAL:

C. Hotchen (Gloucestershire) bt B. Muir (Hampshire) 21/6 21/14


LADIES DOUBLES:

SEMI FINALS:

Sarah Burgess & Kelly Holdway (Hants) bt Anna Showan (Hampshire) & Johanna Philp (Cornwall) 21/5 21/11

Elana Johnson (Middlesex) and Kate Lester (Middlesex) bt Kate Shuttleworth (Oxfordshire) and Rachel Irish (Cornwall) 21/19 21/9

FINAL

S Burgess and K. Holdway (Hampshire) bt E. Johnson and K. Lester (Middlesex) 24/22 21/15


MENS DOUBLES

SEMI FINALS:

Keith Cuncarr and David Edgar (Lancashire) bt Daryl and Steven Jacobs (Middlesex) 21/7 21/9

Michael Whitehouse (Berkshire) and Will Hilton-Jackson (Sussex) bt Andy Penn and John Hepworth (Hampshire) 21/16 21/16

FINAL:

M. Whitehouse (Berkshire) & W. Hilton-Jackson (Sussex) bt K. Cuncarr and D. Edgar (Lancashire)16/21 21/15 21/17


MIXED DOUBLES

SEMI FINAL:

James Lauder (Worcestershire)and Elena Johnson (Middlesex) bt Andy Penn and Kelly Holdway (Hampshire) 17/21 21/17 21/17

Mark Trebble and Betty Blair (Devon) bt John Hepworth and Sarah Burgess (Hampshire) 21/17 13/21 21/11

FINAL J. Lauder & E. Johnson bt M. Trebble & B. Blair 21/19 22/24 21/6


PLATE EVENTS:

LADIES SINGLES:

SEMI FINAL:

Helena Cable (Hampshire) bt Johanna Philp (Cornwall) 21/14

Amy Reddaway (Somerset) bt Abi Logg (Cornwall) 21/6

FINAL:

Amy Reddaway (Somerset) bt Helena Cable (Hampshire) 21/18


MENS SINGLES

SEMI FINAL:

James Whetter (Cornwall) bt Russell Walker (Devon) 21/14

Tom Rowley (Devon) bt Josh Pearce (Cornwall) 21/18

FINAL:

Tom Rowley (Devon) bt James Whetter (Cornwall) 21/12


LADIES DOUBLES:

SEMI-FINALS:

Rowan Despard and April Richards (Devon) bt Deborah and Karina Spencer-Smith (Hertfordshire) 21/17

Lorna Garbett and Bronwen Wotton (Cornwall) bt Sarah Nickels and Hannah Laidler (Devon) 21/14

FINAL:

Rowan Despard and April Richards (Devon) bt Lorna Garbett and Bronwen Wotton (Cornwall) 21/13


MENS DOUBLES:

SEMI FINALS:

Julian Cooper and Shane Maton (Cornwall) bt Paul Kirby and Darren Goss (Cheshire) 21/18

Tom Rowley and Ben Watkins (Devon) bt Chris Glasson and Dan Mock (Cornwall) 21/13

FINAL:

Julian Cooper and Shane Maton (Cornwall) bt Tom Rowley and Ben Watkins (Devon) 21/12.

SPORTING SPIRIT AWARD: David Edgar (Lancashire)

BEST CORNISH PLAYER AWARD: Johanna Philp

PAT HOLLANDS, MBE - OBITUARY

A BADMINTON STALWART AND TRUE CHARACTER. WHO PASSED AWAY, 26 MONTHS FROM REALISING A REMARKABLE AMBITION

CORNWALL BADMINTON’S PAT HOLLANDS, MBE, from Reawla, Near Hayle, sadly passed away, in hospital, on August 26, 2010, aged 97 years.

Mrs. Hollands’ funeral service, was held at Penmount Crematorium, Nr. Truro, Cornwall, on September 3rd and attended by Family, Friends, including Cornwall Badminton officials, players and colleagues.

David Hunt, a friend and Master at Truro School, where she was a senior badminton coach in the past, read a moving eulogy, to “Mrs. Cornwall Badminton”.
Cornwall Badminton has lost a stalwart – one of the Country’s foremost county players, administrators and coaches, over a number of decades, who was devoted to her beloved game, as well as to a number of other sports, in past years.
Pat was also a true character – forthright and down-to-earth, and, at times controversial, but one of the most dedicated county administrators – and lovers of badminton – England has ever known.
Indeed, Cornish and English Badminton, will surely never witness the likes of her, including her unique energy, organizing ability and general pro-activeness again.

Pat’s “Goal” set in 2002:

Pat’s age of passing away – 97 years, is most significant, owing to it being only 26 months away from her ambition, to stand up and hit a few shuttlecocks on her beloved badminton court, when she reached her 100th landmark birthday.
She set this “Goal”, in 2002, when she reached 90 years, as a nonagenarian and played a game on court, at her Tecans Club, based at Pool School and Community College, Pool, Nr. Redruth.
What a great shame – nonetheless she can now challenge St. Peter to a game, in her Century Year.
Pat was also a top-flight performer, in a number of other Sports, including: Diving, Gymnastics and Netball and held the position of Cornwall County Netball Chairman, some time ago.
Indeed, she informed the writer that she dived from the upper-platform, at Plymouth Hoe.

She had been retired , for over thirty years, from Cornwall Technical College, on the Trevenson Campus, Pool, Near Redruth, where she was Head of Sport and PE for Girl Students, in a College with around: 8,000 on the “Books” – c. 3,000 full-timers and c. 5,000 part-timers, in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
On retiring, she Co-founded the Tecans Badminton Club (originated from: Cornwall Tech & Others), with Dutchy, her husband and was the Club Secretary, Coach and playing member, up until her death.

Love Affair with Dutchy, her husband and Badminton:

Pat lost her beloved Husband, Dutchy, in 2004 – another player/administrator, like herself. She missed his love and devotion, terribly, as well as his support and advice, in association, with her many sporting administrative and coaching duties.
Over the years, the couple were also enthusiastic, whilst tending their beautiful garden at their village home, which comprised; a lawned area, flower borders and a vegetable plot.
As well as being Truro School’s senior badminton coach, along with Ken McDonald, her assistant, she was the Honorary Secretary and Coach/Trainer, to the Cornwall Schools’ Badminton Association, ably assisted by Dutchy, Ken and other enthusiasts, for numerous years.
Pat had been a keen playing member for the Cornwall Badminton First Team (The “Chiefs”), and when the “All-England”, Open Badminton Championships were contested at London’s Wembley Arena (scheduled to be the 2012 Badminton Centre) and was known as the world’s premier event, she took part in the Ladies’ Singles qualifying competition, which was another honour.

Pat, the “Mother” of three prestigious Annual Badminton Tournaments within Cornwall:

· Mother and Co-founder of the Duchy of Cornwall “Open” Badminton Championships, based at Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, Nr. Redruth, with the inaugural year being 1982.
· The Cornwall Schools’ Junior Invitation Badminton Tournament, where children travelled from all parts of England, including Darren Hall, from Essex, who secured several age-group titles, before going on to become number one in England and Europe.
· The West Cornwall Badminton League Championships, which started out in 1985 and developed into the Main Draw, as well as an Handicapped section, for Juniors, mainly.
Pat was the Duchy Open’s Tournament Secretary, from 1982 – 1987, the formative years and this year celebrates its 28th Tournament and is now a “Satellite” Ranking Tournament in its eleventh Year.
Furthermore, in the “Schools’ Open”, in Kernow, Mr. Eric Brown, from the England Schools Badminton Association – now incorporated with Badminton England – came down, to help out and provide support, from time-to-time, kindly.

“American” Tourneys prove to be “salad days” for many players:
Pat’s “Amercian”, Handicapped Badminton Tournaments were loved by One & All, in the West Cornwall Badminton League (WCBL), of which she was a tournament secretary, which boasted in excess of forty clubs in the 1970’s.
The writer, John, can vouch, fondly, for this exciting period, with admirable camaraderie, much in evidence – in the 1970’s and 1980’s, principally – which proved to be his and many others – “salad day” years.

Special Honors bestowed in 1998 and 2004:

In 1998, Pat was delighted to be bestowed with BADMINTON England’s Highest Honor, in respect of; Outstanding Services to Badminton in England, which was presented at the Annual County Dinner/Dance, at Newquay.
Six years on and this was followed by a prestigious MBE, Awarded for Services to Badminton in Cornwall, in the New Year’s Honors List in January 2004.
Mrs. Hollands was unable to travel to the Palace with the Queen, and Lady Mary Holborow, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, carried out the Investiture at Truro School, which was most appropriate.

Finally, Tony Poole and Lyndon Allen, the Chairman and Honorary Secretary for the Cornwall County Badminton Association, along with Badminton England, from their Milton Keynes Headquarters, together with the local badminton community, wish to convey their deepest sympathy and love to Pat’s Family, including her Sons, Martin and Peter Hollands and Daughter Anne.

John Tresidder
Cornwall County
Badminton Press &
Promotions Consultant,
Camborne.

U13 Somerset Bronze

On Sunday 12th September 4 of Cornwalls U13 Squad travelled to Somerset to take part in the U13 Bronze. The players that went were Sam Laity, Tyler Sillifant, Kellen Moore and Amy Polglase.

In the singles Sam and Tyler were up against some tough opposition and didn’t manage to get through the group stage. However Amy came within a few points of progressing and Kellen won her box with a win against Sophie Laidler of Devon. In the semi finals she came up against the eventual winner Sophie Males (Dorset) and lost 12-21.

In the doubles again Sam & Tyler fought hard against strong opposition and lost two games and won one. Kellen and Amy played extremely well and were silver medallists, losing out to the Dorset pair of Sophie Males & Bernice Dore 19-21.

'No Strings' Badminton

Cornwall Council leisure centres are getting ready to hold court with fun, friendly No Strings Badminton sessions - more info on the Cornwall Council website:

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=25171