UCU League 2025/26 final tables and board prizes

Wednesday 22nd April, Stormont Pavilion. After an intense three-way battle for the Silver King trophy, it again all came down to the final fixture. Fourth played third as NICS hosted a Bangor team whose title hopes had come to an end the previous week, and second played first as Strand hosted last year's champions, The A team from Belfast South. Prior to the match, the youthful Bangor team casually caught up outside, possibly plotting next year's tilt at the title. Inside, the Strand team, who knew a 4-1 victory was required to win the trophy, talked tactics - "Don't accept any draws" ... "I'll not need to accept a draw!" Their opponents, The A team, needing 1.5 points, had an altogether different approach - arriving as the clocks started, avoiding any nervous pre-match chat.

In a room filled with tension, The A team got up early on board 1, with Adam Collins ultimately converting the win. The other four games were in the balance through the middle game, and three of them went down to the wire, with the result uncertain till the very end. Ethan Cole and Modestas Razbadauskas won for Strand, but Gareth Annesley and Stephen Wood got the draws required to make the overall score 3-2 to Strand on the night, enough for The A team to defend the title.

Congratulations to The A team, worthy winners again of the Silver King trophy. Adam Collins, Gareth Annesley, Ben McIlroy, Gerard McIlroy, Stephen Wood and Florenz Schwalenberg all contributed significantly to the success.

Overall, it was as you were, with 5 teams finishing in the exact same positions at last season. Strand again ended up 2nd, just ahead of Bangor who were again 3rd. NI Civil Service were mid-table in 4th, as they were last season. Newly promoted Fruithill were 5th ahead of QUB, who again finished 6th despite recording their first win in the final match of the season. Remarkably, the final table is almost indistinguishable from 2024/25, where the points for each team in order were 71.5, 70.0, 68.0, 54.0, 32.0 (for Lisburn) and 17.5.

Above: Gareth Annesley from The A team with the Silver King trophy

Division 2 also came down to a final-day decider on Thursday 23rd April. First place Downpatrick hosted Kelly's Heroes from Belfast South; second place Bangor 2 hosted NI Civil Service 2; and third placed Lisburn travelled to play Citi Knights. All the games kicked off at the same time at different locations, meaning Bangor 2 and Lisburn had to aim for as many points as possible and hope Downpatrick slipped up. Both did all they could, with Bangor 2 winning 4-1 and Lisburn winning 3.5-1.5. However, Downpatrick were not to be denied, a 4-1 win securing them the John Strawbridge Cup in just their second season.

Congratulations to Downpatrick for a fantastic achievement for a new club against established league teams. Paul Reaney, Jonathan Boyd, Finn Davey, Owen Dumigan, Dermot Maguire and Martin Lannon all contributed massively in a remarkably consistent team selection. Good luck to the team as they are promoted to Division 1 for next season.

Bangor 2 ended the season 2nd, just ahead of Lisburn in 3rd. Draw specialists Kelly's Heroes finished 4th, 0.5 points ahead of Bangor 3. It is a real testament to the Bangor club that they could have three competitive teams in the two divisions. Citi Knights scored at least 1.5 in every match (a feat only matched by Bangor 1 across both divisions) as they finished 6th. Fruithill 2 won the basement battle, winning on the final day of the season to finish 7th, with NI Civil Service 2 finishing 8th after losing their match.

Above: Division 2 winners, Downpatrick: (L-R) Paul Smyth, Owen Dumigan, Paul Reaney (captain), Jonny Boyd, Finn Davey and Dermot Maguire. Not present: Martin Lannon and Colin Keenan

Thanks to all captains and all 141 players for contributing to the success of the league.

DIVISION 1 TEAMS

The A team (1st)

Strand (2nd)

Bangor 1 (3rd)

NI Civil Service 1 (4th)

Fruithill 1 (5th)

QUB 1 (6th)

DIVISION 2 TEAMS

Downpatrick (1st)

Bangor 2 (2nd)

Lisburn (3rd)

Kelly's Heroes (4th)

Bangor 3 (5th)

Citi Knights (6th)

Fruithill 2 (7th)

NI Civil Service 2 (8th)

DIVISION 1 BOARD PRIZES

DIVISION 2 BOARD PRIZES

Action from the final Division 1 fixtures