Banbridge Academy teams had outstanding success at the recent Ulster Championships. The U15 Girls’ team were crowned Ulster Champions after defeating Monaghan Collegiate 6-0.  Next stop for the girls is the All-Ireland Finals where this team will return their Irish U13 Shield from last year and attempt to bring home the U15 Shield.

U15 Girls’ Team photograph – Abbie Wylie , Jodie Simmons, Ruby Bushby, Melissa Neville, Zoe Knox and Aleyah Peniero.

The Academy U13 Girls were down to 4 players due to the absence of 2 key players. The girls played some great table tennis and came away with a well-deserved Silver Medal.  At full strength this team had the potential to win the event, but on this occasion had to settle for second place behind Royal School Dungannon.  The U13 Girls’ Team – Joanna Kane, Daisy Brown, Joy Mawson and Molly Davidson.

The U19 Girls were also down in strength by two players which was a disadvantage.  The girls made the semi-finals by beating Royal School Cavan but lost against Ballyclare HS. In the play off for 3rd place the Academy girls lost out against Grosvenor Grammar with 2 Ulster Team players on their panel.  The girls played really well and importantly displayed a great attitude towards the competition, and set a fine example for the younger teams.  The U19 Girls’ Team – Sophie Cairns, Emma Shaw, Claire Small and Niamh Donald.

The U15 Boys’ Team was comprised of young players who did their best under stiff competition in a section sprinkled with many Ulster Team players.  The boys lacked competition experience but gained a lot during the course of the event.  The boys finished in 6^th position with the event being won by Bangor Grammar.  The U15 Boys’ Team – Luke Smith, Morgan Muprhy, Alex Beattie, Andrew Jackson, Noah Lutton and Jonah Lutton.