WITH several Essex players challenging for titles at Southend Badminton Association's main WITH several Essex players challenging for titles at Southend Badminton Association's main event of the year, the annual championships, competition was of a high standard.

Essex number one and Commonwealth Games gold medalist James Anderson was the man to beat, topping the draw in both the men's and mixed doubles events.

Unbeaten in the men's, with partner Peter Jeffrey, at county level this season, Anderson was instrumental in securing Essex's impressive runners-up performance in the National League.

In determined mood here at Hockley's Greensward College, with partner Paul Kirby, the defending champions were never threatened.

Their toughest challenge came not from the slightly disappointing second favourites, David Gotts and John Masheter, but from Lee Scott and Daniel Munro.

The younger pair put up a great scrap before going down 14-21 18-21.

Anderson had to work a little harder in the mixed event. He and partner Nikki Harrison had to get their skates on to overcome quarter-final opponents Ben Barber and Nicola Waller 21-19 15-21 21-12.

Another close encounter in the semis saw the favourites having to produce some spectacular form to edge out David Gotts and Lynne Swan by 22-20 in the first game.

In the other semi-final, Lee Scott and Viv Gillard came through a great match with John Masheter and Karina Bryant to triumph by 21-17 in the last end.

Confronted in the final with explosive attacking - and full length retrieving - by Lee Scott, and many wonderful touches at the net by Viv Gillard, Anderson and Harrison had to fight all the way before taking the title 21-17, 21-15.

Not to be outdone, the ladies also produced some exciting badminton and a high standard of play.

In a round robin format, the best of the action - in what was effectively the final - saw Karina Bryant and Lynne Swan resist a strong challenge from their club mates and England veteran champions Viv Gillard and Sue Crompton.

Bryant and Swan hung on to win 21-20 21-19. Adrienne Munro and Justine Miller finished third.

In the men's singles, the last event of the day, three-times champion Ben Barber had his easiest passage yet through the draw.

Favoured by a bye in his first round, and a semi-final opponent who had already given his all in the previous round, young Barber coasted through to the final.

All the excitement took place in the other half of the draw where there was an epic struggle between Leighway's David Gotts and Warwick University badminton captain Peter Wiley.

Gotts took the first game 21-18, only for Wiley to storm back in the second to equalize at 21-13. With both players opting to attack at every opportunity, while giving nothing away in defence, the decider was a thriller.

It was one of those games neither man deserved to lose, but it was Wiley who prevailed 21-19. Unfortunately for Wiley, he was unable to repeat the performance in the final, and it was Ben Barber who, in straight games, comfortably retained his title.