All six tennis teams completed their section match programmes on time. The Junior B team of Murphy Miller, Maya Savage Newell, Grace Hutchinson, Niamh Meredith had a tough section and lost to both Hunter House and Sullivan, but gave a better account of themselves with a win against Grosvenor.
The Intermediate B Team of Evanna Maxted, Claire Hunter, Katie Caldwell and Ellen Gilpin finished runners –up in their section losing narrowly to eventual finalists Down High School, but winning against both Grosvenor and Victoria College.
Meanwhile the Senior team of Emily Whiteside, Rachael Thomas Jemma Gillan, Saskia Craig and Emma Flannigan made it through to the semi-final against Methodist College but despite the team’s best efforts, lost on a games count, having drawn the match 3 matches each.
However, the Year 8 team of Jemima Thomas, Sarah Craig, Sarah West and Clara Potts had a tremendous first season. Having won their section, the team played Down High School in the quarter final and won in style 5 matches to 1. In the semi-final the team played Hunter House and again performed to a very high standard to win their place in the final 6-0.
Similarly, the Junior A team of Emma McGugan, Claire Whiteside, Erin Stewart and Chloe Sweet, defeated all the teams in their section and played Methodist College ‘B’ in the quarter final. Straight wins in all four singles saw the team win through to the semi-final to play Dalriada. A trip to Muckamore tennis club in Antrim was the neutral venue and the team played really well to book their place in the final 5-1.
Thursday 18 th June was a fantastic occasion for our Minor and Junior A tennis players when both teams attended Ulster Finals Day. This was held at Bangor Lawn Tennis Club where the very best Minor and Junior players in Ulster, both boys and girls, were on show. The Year 8 team of Jemima Thomas, Sarah Craig, Sarah West and Clara Potts met Banbridge Academy in the Minor Cup Final and what a great match the team played. Although there were a few nerves to start with, the girls soon settled in to their two doubles matches. Total concentration, and smart tactical decisions saw both pairs totally out play Banbridge and we were up and running with two match wins, both 8-1, 8-1 score lines. The girls still had to play their four singles though, so a lot of tennis had to be played. Again, Banbridge had no answer to Strathearn and there was a clear margin of victory in each of the singles: Jemima, playing at number 1, won 8:love; Sarah Craig at 2, won 8:1; Sarah West at 3, won 8:2 and Clara also won 8:0. So Strathearn won the Ulster Minor Cup in tremendous style.
The Junior A team of Emma McGugan, Claire Whiteside, Erin Stewart and Chloe Sweet, played Methodist College in their final and knew that they had a real battle on their hands. When Erin lost her number 3 singles 8:3, Emma and Claire pulled out all the stops in their doubles to clinch the match 8:2 and level the contest. Despite Emma playing some delightful tennis against her Irish ranked opponent, she was beaten 8:4 in her singles, but once again it was up to Claire to level the match 2:all, with a tremendous 8:1 singles win. Strathearn, edged ahead 3:2 in matches, when Erin and Chloe teamed up to win 8:5 in their second doubles. Chloe’s singles, which was the last match on court, was not without its’ pressure, but Chloe, in her first final for Strathearn, played some excellent tennis and won her match 8:3 and in so doing sealed the Junior Cup win for Strathearn.
The Intermediate A team of Jessica Leeman, Megan Chambers, Jessica Moore and Victoria Hamilton have also had great success and defeated Down High School in the Intermediate Cup Final. This match was the best of three sets in both doubles and all four singles matches, but once again, the whole team were totally dominant in their matches and won the cup in style with straight sets victories in every match.
The winning tennis tradition continues in our school, and we congratulate all our players on another stand out season. May the success continue!!!
