Margie McLoone

THE Teresian School, Stillorgan came out best in a five-team jump-off to Sunday’s fourth leg of the Bucas novice secondary school competition at Killossery Lodge Stud.

With Fiona Payne (Prince) and Irina Kearns (Clover) on the sidelines for the timed round, teammates Lilly Farrell and Bella Hughes decided to go for steady clears. Hughes was faultless again with Con in 54.30 but, when Farrell had a pole down on Tio in 53.96, their chances appeared scuppered. However, their nearest rivals, Lusk Community College and Maynooth, both completed on eight faults.

Lusk finished second thanks to the speedy McGuinness twins, Tadgh and Aisling, who had a pole down apiece with Tommy (39.69) and Sky (38.29) respectively. This was very much a family team as the North Co Dublin school was also represented in the first round by the twins’ cousins, Nicole Hartford (Sparrow) and Sarah McGuinness (Pepper).

Competing for Maynooth against the clock were Emma Egan and Zoe Power. While the latter was clear in 44.99 with Fionsceal, Egan picked up eight faults in 41.19 with Argus. Completing the Co Kildare quartet were Aaron Keogh Cribben (Dromsligo Reiko) and Anna McGrath (Moonacurragh Ted).

The latter combination had earlier finished second in the individual class when clear in 35.74. Here, the easy winner was Sorcha Woods of St Mary’s College, Naas who left all the poles intact when stopping the clock on 30.18 with Balinalee Rocket.

Luke Andrews, from St Mary’s National School, Garristown was the only rider to break the 26 second barrier in the PD’s Photos primary schools’ open individual class. And he did so in style too, going clear in 25.01 with Sweeper.

Ella Rodgers, who finished second with Baloo (26.67), received immediate compensation as a member of the Headfort squad who won the team competition. She recorded a second clear against the clock (27.29).

Also taking on the timed round for the Kells school was Grace Adams, who clocked 29.67 with Lugano Lad. The line-up was completed by Martha Dolan (Singer) and Tiggy Hancock (Woody).

Yellow Furze National School finished second thanks to the second round efforts of Lauren Donnelly on Katie (30.42) and Caragh Monaghan with Oscar (30.26). Also on the Beauparc school team were Ella Kilfeather (Ginty) and Aoibhe Monaghan (Princess).

The novice individual class was divided between Hewetson’s Lucy Hendy, Crosskeys’ Kate Gaughan, St Mary’s Enfield’s Rebecca Payne, Kilcloon’s Ellen Collins and Dunsany’s Joeleen McMorrow.