The Ulster Schools’ badminton finals proved to be a hugely successful occasion for Ballyclare High who won the Senior Boys League Division One and Division Two titles.

Ballyclare began the Division One final as favourites but knew that Friends would prove to be difficult opponents on the day. It was important that Ballyclare made a strong start and that was provided by Philip Ross and Lyle McFarland who scored a deserved win in a well-contested doubles. The next doubles, featuring the top two players from both teams, produced a particularly high standard of play which earned all four players plaudits from the spectators. Andrew and Simon Shannon got the better of their opponents to give Ballyclare the early advantage.

Strength in depth can be a deciding factor in these competitions as the Ballyclare team demonstrates with Lyle McFarland and Philip Ross playing fourth and third singles respectively. Both players have worked hard on their game again this season and reaped the rewards with impressive singles wins which clinched an unassailable 4-0 lead for Ballyclare.

Simon Shannon added a fifth win in convincing style and, although team captain Andrew Shannon was disappointed to lose his eagerly anticipated game at first singles, the entire team was delighted to celebrate the overall win and the Ulster Schools’ League Division One title.

If the Division One team’s success confirmed their favouritism in the competition, the Division Two side’s win was more unexpected but no less deserved. Ballyclare emerged victorious after the most closely contested match of the entire day’s play.

In the opening doubles Alistair McCormick and Chris Jamison scored an excellent win, but the scores were quickly levelled as Kyle Crawford and John Hanley lost in two close games.

The third and fourth singles ultimately played a critical part in the overall win. The margin of Chris Jamison’s win gave Ballyclare a vital points advantage overall, while Alistair McCormick showed great determination to take one game from his capable opponent. With John Hanley losing narrowly, all attention focussed on the final match, the first singles.

Team captain Kyle Crawford took the opening game and appeared to be on the brink of victory in the second only for his opponent to save two match points in quick succession. Kyle managed to put this setback behind him and overcame the increasing tension of the situation to win the third game 15-11, levelling the overall scores at 3-3. With the teams also tied at 7-7 in games the outcome was decided by overall points scored, and Ballyclare were declared the winners by 188-173.

Congratulations to all the players involved and to their coach Mr Thompson in winning these prestigious events for the school. Both teams now have the honour of representing the school and Ulster in the Irish Schools’ championships in Gormanstown on Wednesday 12 th March.

The Ballyclare Senior team returned to Lisburn the following day (7 March) to face the same opponents in the final of the Ulster Schools’ Cup and recorded an excellent 5-1 win.