CORNWALL Under-17 2009 team travelled to Nottingham University on Wednesday April 15 to compete at the Harrod 2009 Inter Counties Tournament. This was the third year back for the U-17 Team after a ten year absence.

Team — Phil Lyle (capt), Ross Lashbrook, Patrick Davis (all Launceston College), Huw Vicary, James Payne; Bronwen Wotton (capt), Lorna Garbett, Bethany Wotton, Daphne Luke and Sofia Ziajka.

Managers:Lester Lashbrook, Jenny Marchant, Sue Cooper and Jon Wotton.

Team sponsored by Dairy Crest Davidstow for the third year.

Final position: 35/40. This is the third highest position Cornwall have achieved in the 14 years that we have competed in the ICT.

This was a magnificent team performance with each and every player standing up against very strong opposition and delivering performances of great character time after time.

Special mention has to go to Phil Lyle who repeatedly won pivotal matches through his strong self belief, passion and refusal to come off without the desired 15 points. A truly inspirational player and captain from start to finish.

Without doubt the performance of the event has to be Daphne Luke delivering a win after three days of undeniably hard singles at number two. To defeat a Silver ranked player in your first ever National Tournament outside of Cornwall, has to be the win of the four days,"outstanding".

Many thanks to Dairy Crest for their continued sponsorship of the team, which allows our players to compete at the highest level at the ultimate U17 National Tournament. Also for the first time thanks to Ginsters for their financial contribution.

There were 400 players competing and our players were great ambassadors for Cornish Badminton.

Jon Wotton.