Under 14s Schools Tournament

Ryan Minns (Smithdon High) and Stephanie Rowland (Caister) both picked up a hat trick of titles at the Norfolk Schools Under 14s Championships. The boys singles was a close, hard fought event and the winner could have come from any one of four or five players. But it was Minns, Chris Piff (CNS, Eaton) and brothers, Kurtis and Lucas Lefevre who progressed from the round robin stage to the semi-finals, where Minns beat Kurtis (St Thomas More) 15-9 and Piff had a nailbiting 15-13 win over Lucas (Notre Dame) which was a reversal of recent form.

In the final Piff took an early lead but Minns extra power in the smash eventually told and he ran out a 15-11 winner in another close match, with both players showing a high level of skill. In the doubles semi-finals, Lucas Lefevre and Piff beat Kurtis Lefevre and Craig Thomas (Costessey) 15-10, while Minns and his partner Lee Robinson (Acle) progressed to the final with a 15-8 victory over Adam Stubbing and Jack Marshall-Grint (both KES). Minns and Robinson

became champions after another well-contested match, which contained many long rallies, putting the result in doubt to the very end.

The girls singles was highly eventful and produced a few surprises, with both finalists reaching the semi-finals after finishing in second place in their group. Emma Davies (Norwich High School) was unbeaten in the first group, with Rowland in second place while Rebecca Heeles (Thorpe House) came out on top in her group with Charlotte Crosby (Hethersett) second. But it was all-change in the semis, with Charlotte beating Emma 15-7 and Stephanie overcoming Rebecca 15-8. to reach the final., which was won by Stephanie 15-10. In the doubles, Stephanie teamed up with Georgia Barrett (Wymondham College) to win her second title, with Emma and Rebecca in second place.

Minns and Rowland completed their hat trick of victories by taking the mixed doubles title after winning all their games in the round-robin competition. Thomas and Crosby combined well to finish runners-up.

Overall, the championships were well contested and Norfolk has a good number of talented players in this age group. The Under 16s championships will take place on January 22nd. These are for pupils in year 11or under and entry forms are available from Robin Cooper at CprRbn@aol.com quoting "Schools

Badminton".