Ulster A Grade Open

Scott Burnside kicked off his new year in style winning the Ulster Open A Grade Singles title on Saturday 5th January with  2006 Commonwealth Games player Mark Topping rolling back the years taking the Mixed Title and the Father son pairing of Ian & Ryan MacBeth reaching the final of the Men's Doubles.

Scott ,the 2013 Irish Men's Doubles Champion, opening up his account in the Men's Singles against the 2nd seed Callum Thomas in the second round. Scott proved to strong for the second seed winning 21-17, 23-21 to progress to the Quarter finals where he faced his Doubles partner Conor Hickland. The match up proved to be the game of the competition with Scott Coming through the 50 minute match 21-13, 19-21, 25-23. He then had a comfortable game in the semi Final against Cormac Meegan which he won 21-6, 21-18 to progress to the final where he faced the 3/4 seed Azhar Syed. It turned into another fascinating match worthy of any final. Scott took the opening set 22-20 before Syed came back in the second also winning 22-20 forcing the final into a deciding set. It was another very close set and it was the Ulster man who came out on top winning 22-20 and to take the Singles title!

Donegal father and son Pairing of Ian & Ryan MacBeth had a great run to the final of the Men's Doubles. After a comfortable opening round win they faced a tricky match against Ryan Stewart & Adam Jermyn but played very well over 2 sets taking the tie 21-17, 21-11. In the Semi Final they were up against another strong partnership Ulster of Michael turkington and William Gourley but they continued their good form and progressed to the final with a 21-19, 21-12 win. In the final they faced  Meegan/O'Flaherty  which proved a game to far with the Dublin pair winning in 21-16, 21-17. A great run to the Final for the Donegal boys.

Pamela Pontanosa won the women's singles title beating Lucy Fox over 3 sets in the final 19-21, 23-21, 21-11 in another great singles final lasting over 40 minutes.

Lauren Au and Fiona Farrell won the Women's Doubles beating Karen Nelson & Viki Pesti in the final 23-21, 21-10.

Former Commonwealth Games player Mark Topping rolled back the years winning the Mixed Doubles title with Viki Pesti. Seeded No.1 for the event they had a smooth passage to the final where they played Adam Jermyn & Lauren Au and it was the experience that proved vital in the final with Mark & Viki winning 21-15, 21-19.

Congratulations to all winners, organisers and Officials.

For full results click here