Lydia claims county badminton double

The 15-year-old from Hastings clinched the ladies’ singles and ladies’ doubles titles, as well as being a runner-up in the mixed doubles last weekend.

Although she achieved identical results in the same event last year, this time Powell didn’t drop a game in the singles or ladies’ doubles, and she and Chris Spice knocked out the 2008, 2009 and 2010 mixed doubles winners.

The singles final was a re-run of last year’s decider with Powell taking on Steph Pound, from Horsham. Powell, who played St Leonards-based Pippa Larkin in her group, won more comfortably this time around, though, triumphing 21-12, 21-18.

Powell teamed up with ex-international Tanya Woodward in the ladies’ doubles and they retained the title courtesy of a 21-17, 22-20 victory over Kim George, another former international, and Karen Arscott in the final.

The youngest ever female to win a medal in the Sussex Restricted Championships, Powell and fellow local player Spice overcame the three-time defending mixed doubles champions and the combination which beat them in last year’s final, Will Hilton-Jackson and Arscott, two straight in the semi-finals.

They then put up a good fight against Dean George, another one-time international player, and Woodward in the final before succumbing 14-21, 18-21.

Powell was first reserve to represent England in the under-16 age group in the Sainsbury’s UK School Games at the start of last month, and attended England under-17 and under-19 squad training at Lilleshall during the summer.