Alpha players compete at 2013 School Games

The Sainsbury’s School Games has become one of the top events within the sporting calendar and the Alpha Badminton Club recently featured once again, when members of the club represented Ulster at the event in Sheffield.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Sep 2013, 16:00 BST
Ulster's Norman Lau in action during day two of the Sainsbury's 2013 School Games at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Pic by Chris Radburn/PA WireUlster's Norman Lau in action during day two of the Sainsbury's 2013 School Games at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Pic by Chris Radburn/PA Wire
Ulster's Norman Lau in action during day two of the Sainsbury's 2013 School Games at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Pic by Chris Radburn/PA Wire

Norman Lau and and Rebecca Getty gave the Ulster side a great start to their contest with Wales defeating Tsung Fong Mo 21-15 21-19 and Gean Sou Mo 21-9 21-11 and they nearly went three up when the Lightbody brothers Matthew and Ross fought back from dropping the opening set of the doubles to level taking the second set 21-12. The final set could have gone either way but the Welsh pairing of Mo and Pritchard won 21-19.

The Mixed Doubles saw Ryan Getty and Rachael Darragh (Raphoe) through 21-16 21-13.

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With Scotland beating both England and Wales 5-0, the host nation were anxious to get on the scoresheet but Norman Lau (Alpha and Royal School Dungannon) who lost the first set to England’s David Jones 21-14 came back to give the eventual beaten finalist in the singles a few problems by taking the second 21-17. And although Lau lost in the decider 21-12 he was later to take a set off the Scot Jack Stevenson in what was another encouraging performance for the youngster.

Ulster found themselves two-nil down when Rachael Darragh lost 28-26 21-17 and Matthew and Ross Lightbody lost 21-13 21-19. After Rebecca Getty and Kerri Scott had lost their doubles 21-13 21-15 it was left to the mixed doubles pairing of Ryan Getty and Rachael Darragh to win 21-16 22-20 and prevent a whitewash.

Although Scotland were to beat Ulster 4-1 there were two very good performances from Norman Lau and Rachael Darragh who took a set off the opponents Jack Stevenson and Julie Macpherson.

In the individual events Rachael Darragh came within half-a-dozen points of knocking out the eventual winner, Scotland’s Julie Macpherson who went on to take the gold. Rachael had earlier beaten England’s Kirby Ngan 21-13 21-15.

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Rebecca Getty had given a good performance against Holly Newall losing 21-11 21-12 and beaten Sophie Morris (Scotland) 21-18 21-18 and Eve Burbridge (England) 21-14 21-16.

Kerri Scott came up against Holly Newall losing 21-13 21-3, Ross Lightbody and Caitlin Steele went down 21-18 21-16 to while Matthew Lightbody had a fine 18-21 21-11 21-19 victory over England’s Alex Mitchell.

Elsewhere, Ross Lightbody defeated Welsh plater Rory Xiou 21-18 24-22.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Steele can argue she was beaten by the eventual winner Scotland’s Julie Macpherson.

Related topics:UlsterSheffield