U18 Super Series round 4 review (31st January and 1st February) - Richmond A girls clinch first success as Gorse boys return to form

In a 2025-26 competition that has previously been dominated by reigning champions The Boswells School, the South West Londoners showed much improvement as they stormed through their three matches without dropping a set.

In the boys' section, normal service was resumed in that Leeds Gorse were once again top dogs after a hiccup in the last round, where Exeter Storm shocked all comers to land top spot.

This time, the South West Club were unable to repeat the trick and the West Yorkshire side took full advantage by clinching their fourth Grand Prix success in four outings.

Both the girls' and boys' tournaments of the country's premier indoor U18 competition were held at the Netball and Badminton Centre at Loughborough University.  

The girls’ edition, on Sunday (1st February) saw Boswells, winners of the previous three editions this season to be the top-ranked team, face seventh-ranked Newcastle Staffs A in their first match, winning 25-14, 25-11, despite a brave battle from their newl-promoted opponents, playing at this level for the first time in 25-26. 

The battle of South West London took place in the other match starting 10.30am, with third-ranked, Richmond A taking a 2-0 win against their fellow clubmates, fifth-ranked Richmond C.  

The 11.30am matches included fourth-ranked Malory Eagles against eighth-ranked, South Hants, with the London team securing a dominant 2-0 25-14, 25-14 success.  

Second-ranked, Leeds Gorse Orange faced sixth-ranked Urmston Grammar A in their first-round match, with the Yorkshire side managing to come out on top 2-0 in two very close games 26-24, 26-24.  

The afternoon featured the second-round matches, with losers of their first-round match, Richmond C and Urmston Grammar A facing each other, where a close 2-1 match eventually saw Urmston Grammar A win 2-1 (25-23, 19-25, 15-11). 

Similarly, Staffs and South Hants faced each other as the losers of their first matches, with the Staffordshire securing a 2-1 triumph, 24-26, 25-19, 15-9. 

The first set of winners saw The Boswells School and Malory Eagles face off for a spot in the final, with the Essex side winning in straight sets.  

The other semi-final was between Richmond A and Leeds Gorse Orange, where the third-ranked team upset recent form by coming out on top in two sets (25-20, 25-21) to guarantee a spot in the final.  

It was all to play for in the top four standings, as a London v North battle took place between Malory Eagles and Leeds Gorse Orange to decide third and fourth.

After two close sets, the Eagles soared to triumph by defeating Leeds 25-19, 25-22.  

The final was set between favourites Boswells and third-ranked, Richmond A. The Londoners won the first set 25-22, giving them enough confidence and motivation to defeat previous winners, leading them to win the second and final set, 25-14, thus being crowned the new winners of the fourth U18 Super Series.  

Following this, Newcastle Staffs A faced Urmston Grammar A for fifth and sixth position, with the northerners coming out on top by winning 2-1 (25-17, 23-25, 15-8) finishing in a respectable fifth position.  

Seventh place went to Richmond C, who defeated eighth placed, South Hants, 2-1 (25-22, 7-25, 15-7).  

The boys’ U18 Super Series took place on Saturday (31st January), as previous first-time winners, Exeter Storm, were first on court but lost to fifth-ranked, The Boswells School 2-0 (25-20, 25-20).  

Third-ranked, Urmston Grammar A, faced eighth-ranked, AST Academy A, winning by just two points in an extended third and final set (22-25, 25-16, 17-15). 

Fourth-ranked London team, Deep Dish Crystal Palace, suffered defeat to sixth-ranked Leeds Gorse Orange in straight sets (25-13, 25-21).  

The final first match was between second-ranked Richmond Falcons and seventh-ranked Future Stars, which was a three-set thriller.  

After winning the first set and losing the second, Richmond performed well to edge the final set 15-13.  

Losers of first round matches, Exeter Storm and Deep-Dish Crystal Palace faced each other, with the South West team holding the edge 2-1 (25-12, 21-25, 15-11) for a higher final standing ranking.  

AST Academy A and Future Stars battled it out in their second-round match, with the academy team notching a convincing 2-0 victory (25-20, 25-11).  

The first semi-final was between The Boswells School and Leeds Gorse Orange, with the northerners dominating the match, winning 25-16, 25-15, securing them a final spot in the process.  

The other semi-final was between Urmston Grammar A and Richmond Falcons, which went the distance.  

After both teams took a set each (25-20, 23-25) it was all to play for in the final set, where the capital side pulled through to win 15-13.  

After a jaw-dropping first set, Deep Dish Crystal Palace claimed seventh place, beating eighth place Future Stars 30-28, 25-19.  

AST Academy A were fifth coming back to beat Exeter Storm into fifth (15-25, 26-24, 15-12).  

The bronze medal match was between The Boswells School and Urmston Grammar A, with the Mancunians claiming bronze after winning 2-1 (25-16, 20-25, 15-13).  

The final saw Leeds cruise to victory, winning 25-9, 25-21 against Richmond, but second place was still a commendable result for those in blue.