ENGLISH CHAMPS: Penty's attentions on international mark

Posted: Monday 13th February 2012 | 17:00

TOBY Penty admits self-belief was sorely lacking at the English National Badminton Championships in Bolton - but he's convinced he's not far away from battling it out with the big guns.

BELIEVE: Toby Penty reached the semi-finals at the English National Badminton Championships

The 19-year-old, seeded fourth in the men's singles, eased his way into the semi-finals at the Bolton Arena but against England number two Carl Baxter he met his match, going down 21-6, 21-14.

Penty was blown away in the first set but in patches in the second he demonstrated glimpses of the form that saw him reach the second round of last summer's World Championships at Wembley Arena, just a few months after joining the senior ranks.

And while Penty's defeat to Baxter showed just how far he has to go to challenge for the national crown in the coming years, he believes a bit more self confidence can go a long way.

"I was a bit nervous as it was my first semi-final," said Penty. "The first set was quite poor and I was a bit better in the second but it wasn't really what I had hoped for to be honest.

"I need to play more like I did in the second set more consistently. I hadn't played a match like that until I got to the semi and you need to experience it more often to be able to compete.

"I need to show a bit more belief and I struggled with that. I need to believe that I can compete with players like that but I need to play those matches more often as well.

"It was my third time here and it's my first semi-final so it that sense I can't really complain."

Penty will have the opportunity to test himself against the best on the continent this week, having been selected for the European Team Championships in Amsterdam.

And, while Penty believes his World Championship feats may have worked against him in Bolton, he's determined to make his international mark.

"I have to have the self-confidence that I can beat these players because I've been in the situation where I've been up against good European players," he added.

"The pressure was on a bit more here after the World Championships and maybe I've been putting a bit too much pressure on myself.

"But I got as far as I was seeded and maybe in the next couple of years I can kick on."

To experience the English athletes and worldwide Olympic hopefuls next in England, purchase tickets to the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships from 6-11 March 2012 www.allenglandbadminton.com