Badminton: Mason and Cooper ready for title charge in Perth

EDINBURGH badminton pair Emma Mason and Jillie Cooper are both on the title trail at this weekend's Yonex Scottish National Championships at Bell's Sports Centre in Perth, and it is a vital event in the run-up to this year's Commonwealth Games.

Mason won the women's doubles with Glasgow's Imogen Bankier two years ago before she was sidelined with a serious Achilles injury and the pair are back together as the top seeds. Just last month they showed their class by reaching the final of the Swedish Open.

Bankier and Watson Briggs are also favourites in the mixed doubles and are aiming for a fourth win in a row. Mason teams up with Troon teenager Angus Gilmour.

In Mason's absence last year, Bankier won the women's doubles with Cooper. This year, the Edinburgh 21-year-old is concentrating on the mixed event and is seeded No.2 with Longnidrry youngster Paul van Rietvelde.

"It's great to be back and fit again for the nationals," said Mason, who spent 11 months out of the sport through injury.

"I played last year but it was my first event back.

"It's also good to be back playing with Imogen again.

"She's just had months out with a knee injury, but hopefully we can both stay fit in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games."

The Games take place in New Delhi in India in October and the hope is that Scotland will qualify for the team event – they missed out in Melbourne in 2006.

Susan Egelstaff, the four times champion, won a bronze medal at the last Commonwealths and she is firm favourite to win the women's singles and complete a great double.

Back in November, the Glasgow 27-year-old won the Bank of Scotland Scottish International title.

Glasgow 20-year-old Kieran Merrilees is top seed in the men's singles ahead of two-time former winner Craig Goddard.

Gordon Thomson is unable to defend his title as he recently underwent a hernia operation.