BENFIELD REACH NATIONAL FINALS IN STYLE!

Benfield Sports College have reached the National Finals of the Badminton Association of England Top Schools Team competition.

The team of five boys, Andrew Grant, Celso Anjos, Daniel Baty, Jordon Jubb and Drew Beaumont proved too strong for schools from around the North East as they finished the under 14 boys competition unbeaten at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.

In the group stages Benfield saw off Wensleydale, Brierton, Hummersknott and St Aidens Sunderland winning 16 out of a maximum 20 games. This put them through to a four team play off with the Newcastle boys again not losing a match despite a nail biting 3-2 win over St Aidens Sunderland, to secure a place in the National Finals in Luton on March 18th.

Thirteen year old Andrew Grant stole the show winning all twelve of his games with his partner Daniel Baty helping him to win all six doubles games. His team mate Celso Anjos won all six of his singles games plus three doubles games. With this being a team event the efforts of Drew Beaumont and Jordon Jubb were crucial in the overall qualification.

This is the first time the school have got through to this stage of the country’s Top School Competition. Coach Margaret Perry was delighted with both their performance and results “The boys really supported and encouraged each other and worked as a team. All the results counted and it was this team effort that clinched victory in the closest of competitions. The match against runners up St Aidens was brilliant and both teams deserve great credit for the way they performed. The national finals will be a real treat for all the players and reward for all their hard work. I am really proud of each and every one of them�?.