Hey! Jude jubilant over county badminton win

Boys and girls from all over the county competed in four events – the boys’ and girls’ singles and doubles.

The Bognor area was well represented by four local boys: Jude Blackman, Jack Woodruff, KB (Keith) Jackman and Matthew Kissell, all from Felpham Community College.

All four competed hard in a great day of badminton with some very exciting games, and so many matches going all the way to 21-20.

Blackman, who is 14, having won the under-15 singles and doubles titles in 2013, elected to compete in the under-17 competition despite still being eligible to compete in the under-15 group.

The gamble seemed to have paid off as he successfully progressed to the finals in both events. In the singles final he found himself 20-17 down, though he held his nerve and won the next three points to draw level at 20-20.

The next point saw his opponent put the shuttle out, meaning he was the winner of the under-17 singles. He couldn’t repeat his success in the doubles final with partner Zach Russ and had to settle for a runners-up medal after defeat to Andrew Brownlie and Jonty Russ.