YOUNGSTERS from the district played their part in a victory for Northumberland U18 against Cumbria.

Northumberland continued their promising start to the season, following last month’s narrow 9-11 defeat to Yorkshire.

Cumbria were brushed aside 17-3 in a comprehensive victory at Tyneside Badminton Centre on Sunday.

The mixed doubles matches were dominated by the home team, with Graham and Sonny Ho taking the top seeded match 21-14, 21-13, followed by good wins for Natalie Ho and Jai Nayyar (21-11, 21-12) and Matty Grant and Teeda Prapunwong by two ends of 21-18 each.

In the boys’ singles, Ponteland’s Grant came through an energetic encounter 21-17, 21-12 against Cumbria’s Joseph Alderson.

In the girls’ singles, Charlotte Graham won convincingly 21-13, 21-17.

Natalie Ho also won in straight sets, before Prapunwong battled back impressively to win her match.

Eve Beechinor-Collins gained her first singles win at county level. She defeated Amy Paul, 21-16, 21-17.

The parings of Dominic Wilson-Baker and Sonny Ho, and Nayyar and Grant also impressed, with respective 21-15, 21-16, and 21-18, 16-21, 21-16 victories.

In the girls’ doubles, Graham and Natalie Ho excelled without losing a set in two matches.

Prapunwong and Beechinor-Collins performed well, winning 21-13, 21-12 in their second match.

Graham said: “I’m really proud of the whole team. Representing Northumberland is always an honour. The margin of victory looks dominant, but there were some close matches. We have a growing strength in our junior squads.”