BADMINTON players at a Knutsford club have kept hold of a title they had won for the previous three years in the most thrilling fashion.

Canute secured top spot in the Crewe and District League’s Mixed Division One by a single game following a stunning victory over closest-rivals – and pre-season favourites – Welsh Row from Nantwich.

And the newly-crowned champions received the trophy for a fourth successive season during a prize ceremony at Crewe Golf Club.

“It’s been a great campaign for us,” said chairman Jay Moran.

“In a sport that continues to struggle attracting new players, Canute seems to buck that trend.

“We’re trying to be a dynamic, forward-thinking club that reaches out to everybody.”

Canute had won eight of their nine games before a meeting with unbeaten Welsh Row, to whom they had lost 13-5 back in November.

However it was a different story at Egerton Youth Club.

Needing to improve their games difference, they were boosted by the return of Michael Simmons and Kara Robinson.

Olivia Frankland, Jen Day, Pete Taylor and Rich Jakeman completed a line-up that recorded an emphatic 15-3 win that put the title out of their opponents’ reach – even after they whitewashed Knutsford A in their final league fixture.

Moran said: “It was close, and edgy – six of the games went to set point. Fortunately, we won them all.”