39th Cambridgeshire Senior Tournament

27th & 28th January 2006

At the 39th Cambridgeshire Open Badminton Tournament, Daniel Plant (Essex) retained his Mens Singles title for the fifth year when he defeated Ian Murphy (Norfolk) 15-4 15-3. Previously both had difficult semi-finals. Plant met a strong challenge from the 16 year old sensation Jamie Bonsels (Yorks) but the experience of Plant saw him home 15-5 15-7. Murphy also had a battle before overcoming Anthony Gibson (Gloucs) 16-17 15-13 15-11. Michelle Cheung (Bucks) also retained her title in the Ladies Singles after a close encounter with another 17 year old, Sarah Walker (Essex) with a score of 11-8 11-6. In her semi-final, Walker beat the former England international Renecca Pantenay (Gloucs) 11-7 5-11 11-9. Plant and Murphy failed to retain their Mens Doubles title. In the final, fatigue after a grueling schedule overtook them and they were no match for the younger and fresher pair of Tom Armstrong (Leics) and Chris Roe (Warwicks), who had a relatively easy win 15-2 15-6. Four teenagers reached the final of the Ladies Doubles. In a disappointing final, Catherine Grant (Warwicks) and Samantha Ward (Surrey) defeated Katie Comras (Herts) and Sarah Walker 15-3 15-2. Tom Armstrong teamed up with Catherine Grant to take the Mixed Doubles title 5-15 15-10 15-7 against the unseeded Justin Andrews (Wilts) and Karen Chittenden (Avon). In the semi-final Andrews and Chittenden had put out last years’ finalists Ian Murphy and Toni Sturgeon (Suffolk) 17-16 15-10. There was little joy for the Cambridgeshire players. Natalie Davey reached the quarter-final of the Ladies Singles but she and Olga Bryant were beaten in a tight game in the first round of the Ladies Doubles. Nick Pratt and Olga Bryant just managed to get through one round in the Mixed Doubles but were not able to reproduce their outstanding league form. For further information, contact Ken Verney (01223 263693)