A TOTAL of 32 players from Queens Badminton Club in Crediton, attended the East Devon Junior League Annual Tournament, held at the Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter at the beginning of May. 

Along with players from Queens, others from Cranford, Chulmleigh, Ottery and ISCA Badminton Clubs took part, contesting events for U10s, U13s and U17s.

It was good to see a lot of the young players from Queens fighting hard and doing their best.

In the U10s, Rowan Manning reached the semi-final of the boys singles and Toby Brookes was runner-up. 

Toby then teamed up with Hayden Herkes in the doubles where they were runners-up, with Rowan Manning and Jacob Moffatt reaching the semi-final. 

Learna Herkes and Nick Jones starred in the U13s, each winning the singles and also achieving runners-up in the doubles. Learna's doubles success came with Amy Housley, while Nick teamed up with Anton Torres from Ottery. 

Nick Jones and Amy Housley were also runners-up in the Mixed Doubles.

Luke Clifton came through a strong field to win the U17s boys singles, beating fellow Queens player Callum Parker in a final that couldn't have been closer. 

Unfortunately Luke was unable to contest the boys doubles as partner Jamie Dawe was injured and unable to play, and it was Sam Clark and Callum Parker who won the U17s boys doubles. 

Under 13s player Nick Jones teamed up with Jake Rice from Chulmleigh to reach the semi-finals of the U17s boys doubles, while U13s player Learna Herkes was successful in reaching the semi-finals of the U17s girls singles. 

In the U17s Mixed doubles, Luke Clifton and Hannah Partridge, and Callum Parker playing with Chulmleigh player Verity Greenaway, reached the semi-finals. 

Sam Clark played with Chulmleigh's Leoni Bishop and they won the U17s Mixed.

Sarah Preece, Head Coach of Queens Badminton Club said: "I was delighted that so many of our players came along and took part in the Tournament. It's a great experience for players to be able to play in a local tournament like this. 

"I was pleased to see all the players trying so hard in their matches and it was great, too, to see that all the players demonstrated a good attitude and showed respect for their opponents. 

"Queens now have the annual club tournament at the end of June and I look forward to seeing many of our Junior players in action again at that tournament."