DORSET badminton stars started their season with a fist full of medals as they swept aside top opposition from around the country in the David Lloyd Bournemouth Open, sponsored by Yonex.

Current Dorset ladies champion Nicola Cerfontyne celebrated her 17th birthday in style - showing she could take the pressure of a senior tournament.

Seeded 3/4, she made a nervous start before overcoming experienced Hampshire player Jenny Hawkward, 5-11, 11-8, 11-1. With her confidence lifted, Cerfontyne then beat the 5/8 seed from Norfolk for the loss of seven points to set up a semi-final with the number two seed, Amy Paxton (Kent).

This was a major test for the Wentworth College student as her opponent is an experienced campaigner currently ranked 26 in England. Paxton had already beaten two local juniors, Ruth Richards and Isabelle Bork, to reach this stage in the competition and had her eyes firmly on a place in the final.

However it was not to be, the Bournemouth star showed tremendous tenacity and focus as she swept her opponent aside for the loss of four points and booked her place at the top table.

In the final, Cerfontyne faced the top seed Rayoni Head from Australia who had represented her country in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The birthday girl was not overawed, she produced a sparkling opening game to beat her illustrious opponent 11-4. The second was nip and tuck throughout and Cerfontyne had two chances to take the match as they played to 14. But the Aussie held on to win that game 14-13 and then took the third 11-8 to win the championship by a short head.

Cerfontyne went one better when she teamed up with Dorset's top male player, Graham Hurrell, to win the mixed doubles.

In the semi-finals they beat another local team, Andy Clist and Kelly Toft, who had overcome some tough to make the last four.

In the final, Dorset's top pair were victorious over Hampshire's John Hepworth and Jenny Hawkyard 2-0.

The Dorset champion also had a fine weekend of competition.

In a strong draw, top seed Hurrell swept to the final of the men's singles without dropping a game.

He then faced 3-4 seed Chris Shepperd from Hampshire who had beaten the second seed George Bevan (Avon) in the semi. The Dorset man continued on top of his game and netted his second trophy with an imperious 15-9, 15-12 victory.

The third piece of silverware came along in the men's doubles.

Hurrell a seasoned international doubles player teamed up with top local junior Tom Dudley (sponsored by BWT Pysiotherapists) and faced Dorset team mates Martin Wells and Sam Ellis in the final, who they beat 15-0, 15-7. Earlier Wells and Ellis had surpassed themselves beating two teams seeded above them.

The local team was seeded 5-8 and faced the second seeds Joel Gayle and Daniel Chipperfield from Essex in the quarter-final.

In a long tough match Wells and Ellis came through 15-9, 11-15, 15-12. In the semi-final they played 3-4 seeds from Avon, George Bevan and Simon Laskey and won their place in the final in another competitive encounter 15-9, 17-15.

David Lloyd Bournemouth 2004 Open results, Men's singles: Graham Hurrell (Dorset) beat Chris Shepherd (Hampshire) 15-9, 15-12.

Doubles: Hurrell & Tom Dudley (Dorset) beat Martin Well & Sam Ellis (Dorset) 15-0, 15-7.

Ladies singles: Rayoni Head (Australia) beat Nicky Cerfontyne (Dorset) 4-11, 14-13, 11-8.

Doubles: Justine Breakwell & Jenny Mathews (Dorset) beat Amy Paxton & Kim Steer (Kent) 15-2, 15-10.

Mixed Doubles: Hurrell &Cerfontyne beat John Hepworth & Jenny Hawkyard (Hampshire) 15-11, 15-9.