Lydia completes title hat-trick

The 16-year-old from Hastings overcame Sedlescombe-based Bargh, who will be 51 this year, 21-8, 21-8 in the final of an event contested by just seven players.

Powell topped group one by overcoming young Sophie Kelly, from Robertsbridge, 21-6, 21-5 and Amber Roberts 21-11, 21-6. She then got the better of Jenny Cross 21-7, 21-15 in the semi-finals.

Bargh headed a closely contested group two in which three players won two matches and lost one. She then accounted for Roberts 21-11, 21-13 in the last four.

Parkwood 6th form student Powell made it a double by also clinching the women’s doubles in partnership with Tanya Woodward.

Powell and Woodward clinched group one with three wins out of three, defeating Emma Jackson and Sevelanne Gordon 21-4, 21-10, Christina Popova and Adele Woodhams 21-8, 21-9, and Amber Roberts and Rhian Wood 21-16, 21-8.

After receiving a bye through the semi-finals, Powell and Woodward clinched the title by outgunning Steph Pound and Karen Arscott 21-15, 21-18 in the final.

Bargh again performed well, topping group three alongside Sara Addison with two wins out of two. Bargh and Addison were edged out 24-26, 14-21 by Pound and Arscott in the last four.

Powell began playing badminton under the tutelage of professional coach Bargh. See tomorrow’s Hastings Observer for the full article.