PLAYERS representing clubs from all of the three divisions took part in the Westmorland Badminton level tournament which took place over two nights at the Dallam Schools Halls.

Defending champion Greg Reynolds (St Lukes) emerged triumphant as he won all of his games, with only two players reaching double points against him. Ian Moore (St Lukes) was the unluckiest player as he lost two games 21-20 and with these results it allowed his son Matthew to take the runners-up prize.

With 14 couples contesting the mixed doubles, two groups were formed with the top two in each group going forward to the semi-finals.

With the groups seeded, top seeds in group one Paul Burton and Shirley Gilpin (Kendal) and Greg Reynolds and Ashlea Chester (St Lukes) in group 2 both qualified for the semi finals without dropping a match. They both won their semi-finals to set up a tantalising final.

Reynolds and Chester led throughout most of the final and looked well-placed at 19-17, but a couple of mistakes from the pair let in Burton and Gilpin, who found a couple of winners to take the next four points and claim the title.

The Ladies doubles was a very tight event. Top seeds Andrea Neville (Arnside) and Kay Armer (Branthwaite) overcame their nearest challengers, Sarah Kirkby and Ashlea Chester (St Lukes) 21-20 to take the title.

The toughest event was the men’s doubles as all the top couples from the league were participating.

The eventual final line up was Stephan Farrer and Kevin Andrew (Branthwaite) verses Greg Reynolds and Joe Robinson (Branthwaite) as both pairs had easy semi-final wins.

With Reynolds and Robinson having already beaten their opponents 21-17 on the way to the final, Farrer and Andrew were out for revenge.

Reynolds and Robinson started well and they dominated the match from the start building up a lead of 11-5 at the change of ends.

They continued to dominate in the same vain in the second half and ran easy winners 21-11.