Exeter PC players on top form at season opener

Players competed for the title of Devon Junior Champion across the U11, U13, U15 and U17 events over two days of competition. The PC has players represented in all events and enjoyed a successful weekend.

On Saturday the U15’s tournament was held. There was a strong performance from PC player Alex Moir who cruised through the final and went on to beat Sam Clarke 21-4. In the boy’s doubles, PC players Toby Leung (U13) and Lloyd Skinner paired up to convincingly take gold in the boys doubles dominating their opponents across all 5 matches. There was also medal success for young U12 PC player Learna Herkes, playing 3 years out of her age to take a silver medal in the girls doubles with partner Lucy Cooper.

Sunday proved just as successful for the Exeter PC players with U15 player Bronya Pike following up her bronze medal from the national gold tournament a week before with gold in the U17 singles and doubles, with partner Sophie Laidler. In the U17 boys singles training partners Lloyd Skinner (U15) and Callum Cheung (U16) had a close fought semi-final with Callum coming out on top.

Unfortunately Callum lost out to U17 player Callum Owens. However Callum made up for his silver in the singles when he partnered Callum Owens to take gold in the final against the PC pair of Lloyd Skinner and Callum Parker.

In the U13 event it was another successful day for Toby Leung who followed up his U15 doubles silver medal from Saturday with gold in the singles and doubles, with partner Will Freer. It was also double delight for Learna Herkes who added the U13 singles title to her collection as well as the doubles title with Charlotte Freer, overcoming the PC pair of Mya Walker and Freya Harris 21-20 in a closely contested match.

Helen Ward, Director of Badminton and coach for the PC said, “This weekend has been a great start to the season for many of our players, not only winning within their age group but also performing and medalling against opponents of an older age.

“We are continuing to invest time into the Performance Centre pathway here at the University and we are enjoying some fantastic progress from our players. There’s lots to look forward to this year and we’ll keep pushing them on to help them reach their potential.”