Grammar pupils showcase bridge skills on international stage

Pupils from Carrickfergus Grammar School have been called upon to showcase their card game skills on an international stage.
Craig Smylie, Aaron Wilson, Andrew Newbold and Nick Townsend representing the Carrickfergus Grammar School at the Irish School's Teams competition in Galway.  INCT 16-725-CONCraig Smylie, Aaron Wilson, Andrew Newbold and Nick Townsend representing the Carrickfergus Grammar School at the Irish School's Teams competition in Galway.  INCT 16-725-CON
Craig Smylie, Aaron Wilson, Andrew Newbold and Nick Townsend representing the Carrickfergus Grammar School at the Irish School's Teams competition in Galway. INCT 16-725-CON

The year has been a busy one for the school’s bridge club, which has competed at all levels and has seen success in both junior and senior competitions.

On a senior level, Craig Smylie, Aaron Wilson, Andrew Newbold and Nick Townsend won the Ulster Schools’ Teams event in Belfast.

They were also placed fourth in the Irish School’s Teams tournament held in Galway.

Min Seog Kim, Ben Crook, Oliver Strange and Craig Lindsay representing Carrickfergus Grammar School at the Irish Schools' Teams competition in Galway.  INCT 16-724-CONMin Seog Kim, Ben Crook, Oliver Strange and Craig Lindsay representing Carrickfergus Grammar School at the Irish Schools' Teams competition in Galway.  INCT 16-724-CON
Min Seog Kim, Ben Crook, Oliver Strange and Craig Lindsay representing Carrickfergus Grammar School at the Irish Schools' Teams competition in Galway. INCT 16-724-CON

Meanwhile, Craig and Aaron came second in both the Ulster School’s Pairs and the Irish Schools’ Pairs competitions.

The Grammar pupils’ incredible form has even been recognised on an international stage.

They have travelled to Germany, Holland and Wales to represent Ireland in various European competitions.

They also represented the Northern Ireland under 20s in Wales in a competition against England, Ireland, Scotland and the host country.

Congratulating the students on their achievements, in the game a spokesperson for Carrickfergus Grammar School added: “At intermediate level, Ben Crook and Min Soeg Kim won the Ulster Schools’ Pairs event and will be two players to look out for in the future.

“With our top team coming fourth in Ireland, this then qualified them to represent Ulster against the other three provinces in the final event of the season.

“Due to choir commitments, Andrew Newbold was unable to play so Min Soeg Kim stepped up and performed excellently throughout the weekend.

“Carrickfergus Grammar finished just outside the medals this time but played well and showed a lot of potential for the coming years.”

One of the world’s most popular card games, bridge is a partnership game requiring four players.

It is played with a standard deck of 52 playing cards.