Wrigley spears his way to maiden success

Monday 24th March 2008, 9:29AM GMT.

Graham Wells (left) and Ian Murphy on the defensive in a men’s doubles rubber. (0553772)

THE reigning Easter open singles champions both lost out in this year’s finals.

First up on Saturday at the Rohais Badminton Hall, 2007 men’s singles champion Mark Sellwood went down to Richard Wrigley before Caroline Smith gave up her women’s title to Nicky Cerfontyne.

It was not all bad though for 23-year-old Loughborough player Smith, as earlier in the day she took the honours in the women’s doubles with her partner Liz Bratt. ‘She is a very good player but I won the doubles,’ said Smith. ‘Of course I’m disappointed but I was so nervous because I thought she was going to spank me.’