The Ulster Transport A team are back in NIPGL Division 1 after a comfortable 7 points and 25 shots (80 - 55) victory at home against Pickie A to race past Falls (who lost at home) into second place in the Division 2 league table.

Match Videos

Scoreboard

The Final NIPGL Division 2 Table

It was a roller coaster ride in the top three places for the Ulster Transport A team, who were 1st, 2nd and 3rd at different stages of the season and had the most difficult run in of all the sides chasing promotion and league title.

All the players delivered solid, strong performances in the closing league and cup matches and were rewarded with promotion to NIPGL Division 1 on the last day of the seaason when Falls lost unexpectedly at home to Old Bleach.

Result Card

Another excellent performance under extreme pressure, knowing only seven points would give the Ulster Transport A team the best chance of promotion to NIPGL Division 1.

It was a close game in the early stages, but a strong surge from the 10th - 16th end saw the gap widen to make the game safe and allow each rink to focus on getting their own point.

Player Team Statistics

A total of 24 players were used this season* with 13 playing 15 or more of 18 games (6 x 18, 2 x 17, 3 x 16, 2 x 15).

The stability of selection led to a consistency of overall performance, with gradual changes improving the side until the best and strongest front/back end combinations were found towards the end of the season and used in the toughest matches.

Bryn Rea, Davy McCartney and Mark Trew finished with the highest rink points, 12.5 out of 18 games played (69%). Bryn and Mark finished joint top on shot difference (+81) followed by Davy (+38).

*A squad of 20 - 24 is normally necessary to cover holidays, loss of form, injuries etc with Primary and Secondary Groups of 4 Reserves each.

Season Summary

It was an excellent season for the Ulster Transport A team with a return to NIPGL Division 1 after a five year absence and also winners of the IBA Intermediate Cup (a first IBA Cup for the Ulster Transport Club).

The team has performed well over the past three seasons - NIPGL Division 3 Champions in 2021 (no promotion or relegation that year) and again in 2022, as well as NIPGL Junior Cup winners (a league/cup double), followed by promotion from NIPGL Division 2 this year and the important bonus of the IBA Intermediate Cup (a promotion/cup double).

All good teams strengthen their squad before the next campaign and with a big jump in quality between NIPGL Division 1 and 2, this will be a priority before the 2024 season begins to give the best possible chance of a solid mid table finish before pushing on in 2025 to challenge for the Division 1 title.