Another memorable European Nations Cup competition hosted by the NIPA under the guidance of Tournament Director Trevor Harte in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine has drawn to a close. It was great to see familiar faces and new, from England, Scotland, Wales and Southern Ireland as the 5 Nations battled it out on the green baize for all the titles on offer. Team NI on the whole performed very well again to build on our performances at the World Championships in Killarney a week earlier. A massive thanks to all the players and officials who attended the Nations Cup to represent Team NI.
Mens B1
Rab McCullough's team finished 3rd in the group of 10 teams to qualify for the Semi Finals only losing out to eventual winners Wales 2 who had Pro players Jordan Shepherd, Craig Marsh and Kristian Phillips in their line up. But hail DREW SLOAN. The Ballymena man had fantastic Individual success taking the coveted title after defeating the talented Kevin Vane of England 5-0 in the Final.
MENS B2
Derek Whiteside's lads were only 2 wins away from a possible qualifying spot in the group, highlights were 2 memorable wins, one over our B1 team in the opening match and another against eventual winners Wales 2.
LADIES B1
Susan Graham's team finished sixth in the group with two wins from their six matches.
LADIES B2
Katrina McVeigh's team finished bottom of the group with no wins from their six group matches though they put in some decent performances and werent heavily beaten in any.
SENIORS B1
Rab Brown's side made the Semi Finals by coming in 3rd from 10 in the group only to lose out to England 13-10
SENIORS B2
Although they finished 9th from 10 such was the tightness of the group Paul Withers' team were only 2 wins away from a possible qualification spot
MASTERS B1
CHAMPIONS !! Fantastic achievement for Hugo Manson's golden oldies as they stormed to the title with a classic 13-10 win over Scotland in the Final
MASTERS B2
John Holland's and Jim Taylor's team finished bottom of the group, best performance a 12-13 reverse against neighbours Ireland 1. But a great performance in the Individuals seen Paul O'Connor reach the Final only to lose out to 2014 winner Kevin McIlroy of England.
UNDER 23 B1
Neil McFaul's lads gave a good account of themselves but weren't able to make it out of the group
UNDER 23 B2
Slow start for the James Nesbitt's lads with all playing at U23 level for the first time but they improved as it went on growing in confidence.
UNDER 18 B1
Willie Eakin's kids reached the Semi Finals losing out to eventual winners England 2 by 13-7
UNDER 18 B2
Daryl Watts lads were all new to the International environment, the experience will stand them in good stead for the future
UNDER 15 B1
Robert Hawkins's Under 15s qualified out of the group in 2nd spot but went down 8-5 to England 2 in the Semi Finals.
UNDER 15 B2
Slow start but the Michelle Eakin's youngsters grew in stature and confidence, a great learning curve for the young lads
Photos to follow
