Badminton: Morgan keeps the flag flying

KELLY MORGAN, the Welsh woman who had to leave Britain to make ends meet, became the only British singles player to reach the third round of the All-England Championships in Birmingham yesterday.

The 22-year-old Morgan, who had spells with clubs in Denmark and in France, overwhelmed the Malaysian teenager Law Pei Pei, 11-0, 11-4.

Morgan, who has been able to return to Cardiff since financial help from Lottery funding a year ago, showed that her fitness and confidence have improved dramatically. There was only one brief period early in the second game, when Law Pei Pei, the Malaysian Commonwealth medal hopeful, led 3-0, that Morgan appeared in danger.

"I was pleased with how I played and just hope I can play even better next time," said Morgan, whose next opponent is the top seed Gong Zhichao, of China.

The leading British men's singles challenger, Darren Hall, was beaten 15-11, 15-1 by the Malaysian Wong Choong Hann in the second round. Hall led 10-7 in the first game before a run of errors let in the young left- hander and his pace of attack proved too much for the nine-times English champion.