Chloe hits opponents for six while Matthew puts in a five-star performance

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Chin Nam Soong matched Beth Stevenson and Conor Montieth’s performances, picking up three trophies of his own in the Under 17 section.

In the boys singles, the outcome of the final was very much up in the air right until the final points were scored. Chin Nam Soong took the opening set 21/18 but the left-hander Elliott Lonsdale pegged back to level by taking the close second set 19/21.

The pair were never more than a few points adrift of each other in a tense deciding set. Soong came through, but only just, winning by a score of 21/17.

Lonsdale had an opportunity to gain his revenge in the boys’ doubles final. He teamed up with Stephen Moss to again take on Soong, and his partner Chris Black. However, in another three setter it was to be Soong and Black who came out on top. This time, the pair had to come back from a set behind, losing the first 19/21. The second set couldn’t have been closer at 28/26 and the duo carried on that momentum to win the third 21/14.

Soong was to clinch his hat-trick of titles in the mixed doubles when in partnership with Aine McClure, he defeated Samantha Dornan and Emma Cunningham.

His partner Aine also lifted a treble, beating Hannah Brennan in the singles 21/17 21/13 and winning the doubles with Summer Ferguson.

Without a doubt though it was in the younger age groups that saw tremendous commitment. In the Under 9 and Under 11 competitions, Matthew Cheung lifted five titles while Chloe Woods won six titles (two with her sister Paige).

Matthew won the two boys singles beating Reuben Elliott (U9) 21/11 21/10 and Mackenzie Connor in the U11 final 15/9 15/12, the boys doubles Under 11 in partnership with Stuart McCollam while teaming up with Chloe Woods in both Under 9 and Under 11 age groups.

Chloe defeated her sister Paige in the Under 9 final 21/8 21/5 and Katy Allen 21/10 21/11 at Under 11. She also teamed up with Paige to capture the Under 9 and Under 11 doubles titles, beating Roisin McKenna and Aoife Watson at U9 and Katy Allen and Erin Brennan in the Under 11 competition.

With the Spar Christmas Tournament celebrating its 50th Anniversary, it was appropriate that Alpha’s Mr Badminton, Bob Colhoun, who has just been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List (see page four) was there to watch. The competition was his brainchild in the first place.

Two former winners of the tournament in Bill Thompson and Eugene McKenna were also there on the side-lines watching the performances of the upcoming generation. That duo are evidence of how the tournament can be used as a springboard to launch some very successful international careers.

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