THE West Dorset Badminton League held their annual ‘Nigel Miller’ Junior Tournament at Redlands Community Sports Hub, Weymouth.

The entrants comprised of nine boys and four girls, aged between 12 and 17.

The tournament was split into two groups, boys and girls and handicapped by ability.

The boys played a round-robin each playing each other one game to 15 points with no setting.

Positions were determined by the highest points achieved at the end.

The outstanding winner was Ollie James, 14, who was unforgiving and relentless in every game.

He secured victory with an overall score of the maximum 120 points.

Runner-up Gabriel Thacker, 15, played with expertise and gusto and fought hard to achieve 199 points.

The one point difference being his game against James.

Both boys started most of their games with a minus score but managed to stay focused and won through with skill and determination.

The girls formed a single group of four playing each other two games to 21 points with no setting.

Sophie Suter, 15, led the way in the first round with a maximum of 63 points, with Olivia Bailey 16, hot on her tail with 57 points.

The second round was more challenging for the girls but they battled on regardless.

Suter remained persistent in her skilful play, executing drops and smashes and clinched first position with an overall score of 126.

Bailey, playing with precision and control played superb badminton managing to secure second position with 110 points.

All winners and runners-up will be invited and presented with trophies at the West Dorset League’s presentation evening later in May this year.

Coach, Liz Osborne said: “Everybody played brilliantly, it was exciting from start to finish.

"Playing in a handicapped tournament is always difficult, it’s not only a game of physical fitness but mental fitness as well.

"All players fought hard to the end regardless of their handicaps and I was very proud of them all.”

Osborne is a Level 2 coach and is very passionate about the game.

She became a qualified coach in 2006 and many of her players have progressed to train with the Dorset County squad.

If your child is aged seven or over and would like to get involved in the sport, then give her a call on 07970508790 or contact Redlands Community Sports Hub.