A galaxy of stars from the badminton world competed in the Wimbledon Elite tournament last weekend, writes Ray Robson.

The host club were well represented at Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club, with Ben Beckman, Rob Kettle and Jack Molyneux all in the men's singles draw.

Kettle had a difficult first round draw against Martin Delfts but, after just six minutes of play, he was handed victory, with the Danish player feeling unwell.

The home player then took full advantage, beating Molyneux on his way to the semi-final, where he lost 21-15 to Aamir Ghaffar.

Beckman, the number eight seed, reached the quarter-final where he played a thrilling and hard-fought match with top seed Carl Baxter.

In the third game, Beckman reached match point and 21-18, only to hit an easy kill into the net. He didn't recover from this disappointment and went on to lose the match 23-21.

Former England number one Baxter went on to beat Ghaffar 21-17 21-13 in the final.

Home players also figured prominently in the doubles.

England international Chris Langridge teamed up with his new partner, Sweden's Richard Eidestedt, to win the men's doubles.

With the match level at a game each, Langridge and Eidestredt eased through 21-12 in the final game against Andy Ellis (Yorkshire) and Martin Lewis (Wales) to take the title.

Local player Matthew Honey and Peter Ellis (Notts) were among their victims on the way to the final.

Honey did reach the mixed title, partnering Sussex's Heather Olver against the experienced pairing of Kristian Roebuck and Liza Parker.

The match went the full distance, but Honey and Olver were pipped 21-16 16-21 21-19.

The women's singles final was a tough match for Hertfordshire's Rachel Howard against Sarah Renton, but she finally won 21-16 13-21 21-19.

The women's doubles saw Liza Parker and Sarah Bok beat Howard and Olver 21-15 19-21 21-14.