Richard Vaughan Badminton Academy supported by Memory Lane Cakes players had a successful first day at the Welsh National Badminton Championships in Swansea today.

First off was the Ladies singles which saw two RVBA players play against each other. The tournaments favourite Sarah Thomas against Welsh No3 Vikki Jones.

In a bizarre first round match which saw two of the best players pitched up against each other Sarah Thomas came out on top in two close sets.

The RVBA’s Aimee Moran one of Wales leading junior players was up against the tournaments 2nd seed Carissa Turner and put up a very tough fight going down 19-21, 15-21.

Sarah Thomas play’s West Wales Jordan Hart in tomorrow’s semi final.

The Ladies doubles yet again saw RVBA players in the same section of the draw with Sarah Thomas and Rachel Thomas defeating Vikki Jones and Nicole Walkley in two close sets. That left the two pairs first and second in the group and both will now go through to opposite ends of the draw for tomorrows semi final.

In the mixed doubles the RVBA’s Richard Vaughan and Sarah Thomas comfortably won their way through to the semi final where they play former RVBA player Gareth Cox.

RVBA Head Coach Richard Vaughan commented "It was a positive first day with everyone playing well. The only downside has been that a lot of the RVBA players have been pitched up against each other in the first rounds when ideally especially Vikki Jones would have hoped for a semi final at the very least. The venue in Swansea has been great"

The semi finals for the Welsh National Badminton Championships start tomorrow at 1000 at Swansea Leisure Centre.