The Norfolk Open

There has been a very good entry for the Norfolk Open Championships, a tournament in the Badminton England Satellite Circuit, to be played at the UEA Sportspark this Friday and Saturday. 95 entries have been received in the five disciplines, with the mens singles attracting 38 players, 7 of whom are currently ranked in the country's top 40.So, the competition is going to be tough with nationally ranked 10, Robert Kettle from Surrey leading the field as top seed.Top seed in the womens singles is last year's runner-up,Caroline Westley(Essex), nationally ranked in eleventh spot and just returning to the circuit after injury.

There will be a lot of local interest with several county players entering, led by Ian Murphy and Katherine Cooper, who are top seeds in the mixed doubles, following their recent success in the Cambridgeshire Open. Katherine and Julie Pike will also be keen to take home some silverware, having been seeded two in the womens doubles and this is the opportunity for other local talent to shine

Play starts on Friday at 6.00pm with the singles. The women's event will finish later that evening, but the mens will conclude with the semi-finals scheduled for 10.00am on Saturday with the final at 11.45am. All doubles start on Saturday morning. Spectators will be most welcome and are guaranteed a display of top quality badminton.

* Equally competitve will be the next county moderates tournament which will be played at the Sportspark on Sunday, March 21st, commencing at 10.00am. Further information and entry forms may be obtained from Simon Piff, 11 Proctor Road, Sprowston, Norwich. NR6 7PF or downloaded from the Norfolk Badminton Association website at www.norfolkbadminton.co.uk Entries close on March 15th.