Double Victory for Matthew Cheung

It turned out to be a fantastic weekend for Emerging Performance Squad player Matthew Cheung winning the Boys singles and Boys doubles at the Irish U15 International at the National Indoor Arena, Dublin.

Matthew was Top Seed in the Boys singles and have a very smooth run to the final with the most points he dropped in a set was 10. In the final he was up against the second seed, Fred Robertson from England, who came through a tough semi final 27-29, 23-21, 21-19. Matthew played a very controlled Game sand took a comfortable lead in the early stages of opening game and maintained this lead to take the set 21-10. The second set took a similar route as the first with Matthew racing to a big lead at the mid game interval. Matthew maintained his focus and came out he winner 21-9. A great start to the tournament for Matthew were he was also in the final of the Boys Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

Matthew teamed up with Dublin's Dylan Noble for the boys Doubles and maintained a good level of play in the opening rounds and progressed to the final after a 21-5, 21-12 win in the semi final against James Fleming & Richard Kong (IRE). In the final they were up against the 2nd Seeds from England Robin Harper and Fred Robertson. Matthew & Dylan maintained their good level of play from the earlier rounds, winning 21-16, 21-16 and Matthew claiming his second title of the day.

Matthew also reached the Final of the Mixed double were he partnered Lisburn Raw Performance squad player Chloe Woods. They safely made it through to opening rounds and were up the English 3rd seeds Robertson/Sachdeva. It proved a very tough game for the pair but showed their good level of technical & tactical ability to get them through 21-16, 21-18 and into the final. They meet the top seeds for the tournament in the final of Harper/Hong from England. The English pair showed a good level of play against the younger partnership of Matthew & Chloe and went on to take the title 21-17, 21-16. However, overall a great tournament for Matthew taking home 2 Gold's and a silver.

Other notable performances in the U15 event were the sister Partnership of Chloe & Paige Woods, who reached the Semi Final of the Girls doubles after a battling Quarter Final performance against  Koay/O'Halloran (Ire) 21-16, 14-21, 21-9. In the Semi Final there were up against the Top seeds Hong/Parab (ENG). It proved a difficult match for the young Ulster pair playing against the experienced & power English opponents but put in a good performance losing out 21-10, 21-6.

The U19 Irish Open, which is now a BWF U19 Ranking event, seen some of the best U19 players in Europe competing. Rachael & Rebecca Woods had a great performance in the girls Doubles reaching the Semi Final after a great win against the 3rd seeds from Italy 21-17, 22-20 in the second round. They followed this up with another good performance in the Quarter finals beating Noble/Pontanosa (IRE) 21-13, 21-9.In the Semi Final they were up against the Dutch pair of Lugters/Tirtosentono and Top seeds for the event. It was a good macth up and there was a good level of Ladies Doubles on display but the Dutch pair took the first set 21-15. Again in the 2nd set the level ogf play was good and some long rallies but the Dutch pair won some of the key points and went onto take the set 21-15 and onto the final. A good start to the season for the Woods twins.

Rachael also reached the Quarter final of the Girls singles losing out to Top seed and eventual winner Jakka from India.

Dublin's Nhat Nguyen was in fantastic form throughout the tournament and won the Boy's Singles Title without dropping a set....impressive Stuff.

For full results of the U15's click here 

For full results of U19's click here

Overall a good start to the season for the U15 and U19 players.....onwards & upwards!