Badminton: Huddersfield’s Marcus Ellis provides lots of entertainment in English National Badminton Championships

MARCUS ELLIS has earned a whole new fan club from his home town.

The Huddersfield professional badminton star impressed a watching band of junior players from Kirklees when he took part in the English National Championships at Manchester Velodrome.

While Ellis reached the semi-finals in the men’s doubles and quarter-finals of the mixed, impressive achievements in themselves, it was the way he played and his general demeanour on court which impressed the Huddersfield party.

“ Marcus was exhilarating to watch,” commented Huddersfield Jays coach Hayley Smith.

“While other competitors were showing strain and frustration under pressure, Marcus had a Š ‘DuracellŠ bunny’ type of energy and composure – and he looked as though he was simply having fun.

“He hadŠ a permanent smile on his face and a friendly, considerate court mannerŠ and this was commented on even by the junior spectators who went from Huddersfield Što support.”

Paired with Kristian Roebuck from Derbyshire in the men’s doubles, Ellis had a bye in the first round but then powered to victory in just 18 minutes in the second round, beating Tom Burton and Andrew Wainwright 21-8, 21-9.

In the quarter-finals, Ellis and Roebuck were drawn against Andrew Brunning and Gary FoxŠ and although the first game was tighter at 21-17, they literally smashed their way through, Š changing game play in the second to play more net secured, taking the second game 21-12.

The duo then were up against the eventual winners and No1 seeds Nathan Robertson and Chris Langridge in the semi-finals, and after a great match lasting 34 minutes they were taken out of the competitionŠ2113 21-15.

In the mixed, he was paired with Alex Langley from Nottinghamshire and, again, had a bye in the first round.

Richard Wrigley and Amber Gregory were the opposition in the second round, but Ellis and Langley went through in 23 minutes, winning 21-17 21-15.

In the quarters, they were up against No1 seeds and defending champions Robertson and Jenny Wallwork and, despite performing well, were beaten 21-15 21-10.