Lydia stars at nationals

Hastings badminton talent Lydia Powell in action at the English National Championships 2015

The 18-year-old from Hastings reached the semi-finals of the women’s singles and quarter-finals of the women’s doubles at K2 Crawley last weekend.

Powell was seeded five for the singles and came from behind to edge through her first round match against Amy Jane Reddaway 9-21, 21-19, 21-15.

She then comfortably saw off Tilshiloh Shaw 21-7, 21-7 in round two before narrowly getting the better of fourth seed Georgina Bland 21-9, 16-21, 21-14 in the quarter-finals.

Powell then clinched the opening game of her semi-final against eventual champion Nicola Cerfontyne 21-19 before the second seed rallied to clinch the next two 21-17, 21-14.

Powell and Jess Hopton were seeded four for the doubles, and after a first round bye, they defeated Emily Jeffs and Brodie Miller 21-14, 21-14 in round two.

Their progress was halted, however, in the last eight by a 25-27, 13-21 loss against Fee Teng Liew and Kirby Ngan.