Bateman makes history

West Norfolk Junior Badminton player, Jessica Bateman from Dersingham made history by becoming the first girl in Norfolk to win the singles events in all three age groups at the Norfolk Schools tournaments in one season.

To add to the under 14 and under 16 titles won earlier this season, Jessica added the under 12 singles title last week in Norwich. At a very successful tournament for West Norfolk players, Charlie Wakefield came home with three titles; the boys’ singles and doubles, and the mixed with Jessica.

In the girls’ singles event, 12 year old Jessica easily won her group, with the top two from each progressing to the final block of four where she was dominant, winning all 3 matches comfortably to take the title.

There was a large entry in the boys’ singles with the Wakefield brothers from Feltwell, Charlie, 12, and Harry, 9, both winning their respective groups and progressing to the main draw quarter finals winning two and one game respectively, Alfie Brown and Jack Watts, both from Downham Market, went through to the plate competition which was run in 2 groups, with Alfie just defeating Jack by 21-20 in the decider, to make the final where he finished runner up.

In the main draw quarter-finals, Charlie won his group and Harry was runner up which meant they played each other in the semi-final, with the older brother winning to reach the final where he won easily 21-7 against Louis Davis from Norwich.

In the boy’s doubles the Wakefield brothers, playing together, won their group to reach the final and took the title after a close match 21-15 against a Norwich pair. Alfie Brown, with his Norwich partner, finished fifth.

Jessica just missed out on the treble, by finishing runner up in the girls doubles, despite winning their first match, but losing the other in three sets.

Jessica and Charlie topped off a great tournament for the West by taking the mixed doubles title together, after winning all their four matches. Harry Wakefield and his Norwich partner finished third.