Serena wins Challenger Gold

Several members of the county Under 17 squad were in Luton at the weekend, competing in the Bedfordshire National Challenger Tournament, which attracted a quality country-wide entry.Norfolks star performer was the county singles champion, Serena Verney who returned home with a well deserved gold medal in the girls singles event. On her way to victory she beat tough opposition from Bucks, Herts, Oxfordshire and Sussex to reach the final against Evie Harmer from Worcestershire. Playing one of her best matches of the tournament, Serena came out on top 21-11 to win the gold medal. Still only fifteen, she has another year at this level and hopes to improve further next season.

Speaking after the tournament Serena said " I was nervous going into the final, never having won a national tournament before, but I soon relaxed and kept telling myself You can do it

after every point.It was great to have the support of other team members encouraging me and helping me overcome my nerves."

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Serena Verney who returned home with a well deserved gold medal in the girls singles event at the Bedfordshire National Challenger Tournament.

The boys also put in some winning performances at the tournament. Adam Stubbing from Kings Lynn started the day off by winning a bronze medal in the boys singles, losing out to Luke Beacall (Bucks) in the semi-finals. He then teamed up with his regular partner, Dan Farrow from Lowestoft and they were joined in the doubles by Mark Robinson and Luke Cox. The draw raised the prospect of an all Norfolk Final but after safely negotiating their groups and the start of the knockout stages, both pairs were matched against strong opposition from Essex and Bedfordshire in the semi-finals, which they lost 21-16, 21-17 respectively, nevertheless, bringing home well deserved bronze bedals.

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Mark Robinson, Adam Stubbing, Dan Farrow & Luke Cox with their bronze medals.