Senior Boys win Ulster Schools’ Tennis Trophy

By Ballyclare High School on 25 June, 2018

The Senior Boys Tennis Team have won the Ulster Schools’ Trophy for the first time in the history of the school. The team played Dalriada in a pulsating final with the Ballyclare team emerging winners by virtue of 4-2 in matches. Number one player Sam Dyson had a nail biting match in his singles, with the match going all the way to a tie break, with the Dalriada number 1 emerging as 10-9 victor in the first to 10 games format. Ross Herron, number 2 in the team, played an outstanding match with consistent ground strokes and great tactical astuteness to emerge 10-7 winner. Number three, Adam McKeown outplayed his opponent with deft touches at the net and he found some superb angles throughout his match to overcome his opponent 10-2. The powerful Harry McBride out served his opponent to win comfortably 10-3.

At the end of the singles round Ballyclare High School were 3-1 up in the fixture with only the doubles matches to play. A fiercely contested match with Ross Herron and Sam Dyson playing together in the top doubles game, produced a match with long sustained rallies and sharp vollies. However it was the Dalriada team that emerged on the winning end of the 10-7 score line. It was down to Adam and Harry to get a win to secure the trophy and after a superb performance from the pair in the second doubles game, they won 10-0 meaning that that the Ulster Schools’ Trophy takes its place in the Ballyclare High School trophy cabinet for the first time.

It is worth noting that this team have worked together for the past 3 years over autumn, winter and spring terms, training early mornings and after school with Mr G Shaw. As a group they have progressed significantly in the past 3 years with their hard work and it is a fine way to finish their school tennis careers.