Gehrke takes title again

DESPATCH'S Carmin Gehrke successfully defended her EP Closed Badminton title by beating clubmate Cavell le Roux 11-21, 21-16 and 21-14 in a hard and close-fought battle.

The Championships are being played at the EP Badminton Hall in Walmer Downs and this is the sixth consecutive year that she has claimed the crown.

In the men's doubles, Morné van der Merwe (Kragga Kamma) and Riaan van der Merwe (Despatch) defeated Quintin Kühn and Mario Steenkamp (both of Despatch) in a nail-biting final. The score was 22-20 and 21-18 in a close match which was eventually settled by powerful smashes and excellent placing of the shuttle.

In the mixed doubles, Gehrke and Morné van der Merwe will be the couple to beat. They are in excellent form and are playing well. Their closest rivals should be Steenkamp and Le Roux.

The championships finish tonight.