A HAT-TRICK of Division 1 titles for the 2009 player of the year recipients, Edward Cousins and Laura Butler, were the highlights of the Wexford Charity Players championship which were held last weekend in Ramsgrange Community College.

Cousins continued his dominance of local badminton with his eighth consecutive treble of titles in a sequence of undefeated championship wins that stretches back to 2002. The Taghmon star won the first of his titles in men's singles when he recorded a straight sets 21-11, 21-16 victory over Alan Mackay (Eagles).

He then teamed up with Colm Byrne (New Ross) in the men's doubles as they overcame the Mackay brothers, Vincent and Alan, 21-13, 21-8 for his second title. His biggest test came in the mixed doubles where he and partner Laura Butler were pushed all the way before overcoming the New Ross pairing of Colm Byrne and Brideen Lynch in three sets (21-16, 19-21, 21-16).

Laura Butler won the first of her treble in the ladies' singles with a straight sets 21-11, 21-17 victory over Laura Lynch. The two Lauras then joined forces for the ladies' doubles and won a tight encounter against the former champions, Siobhán Parle and Deirdre Kehoe, 21-18, 23-21. Laura's third title was achieved in the mixed doubles.

There was another hat-trick of victories in Division 2 where Aisling Chapman won championship titles in the ladies' singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

The Cork-based player defeated Eimer Dunne (Taghmon) in straight sets in the ladies' singles and, with Brideen Lynch (New Ross), overcame the same player and Marie Kelly (Taghmon) in straight sets in the ladies' doubles.

Her final title was also a straight sets 22-20, 21-17 victory with Noel Carton (Clonroche) against the top seeds and defending champions, Pat and Brideen Lynch (New Ross).

Noel picked up his second title in the grade in the men's doubles when, partnered by Nicholas Murphy (Taghmon), he defeated Tomás Power and Chris McMackin (Shelburne), 21-10, 2321.

There was a surprise, however, in the men's singles where the favourite and top seed, Noel Carton, was defeated in three sets by Tomás Power (21-17, 13-21, 2117).

Nicholas Murphy ( Taghmon) secured the third division men's singles title with a 21-13, 21-17 victory over Chris McMackin (Shelburne).

There was a minor surprise in the men's doubles decider, with the fancied pairing of Chris McMackin and Tony Sinnott losing in three sets to Joe Ryan and Billy Bennett (New Ross).

Deirdre O'Connor (Shelburne) picked up two titles in Division 4, with victories in the ladies' doubles and mixed doubles events. O'Connor and club partner Carol Murphy won a marathon ladies' doubles encounter (18-21, 21-17, 24-22) against the St. Martin's pairing of Helen Butler and Imelda Kehoe.

Deirdre and partner Paudie Foran recovered from an opening set to loss to Eddie Kent and Carol Murphy to win the mixed doubles title in three sets (17-21, 21-18, 2112).

It was youth versus experience in the ladies' singles decider, with the improving Monaseed player, Kerri Daly, overcoming a gallant Helen Butler (St. Martin's), 18-21, 22-20, 21-15.

In the men's singles decider, Billy Bennett (New Ross) struck a blow for all the veteran players when he defeated club colleague Cian Doyle 21-18, 20-22, 21-17 in an exciting men's singles final.

Ryan Butler (St. Martin's) had double success in the fifth division championships. Ryan defeated Gary O'Neill (Taghmon) 21-17, 21-16 in the Division 5 men's singles, while he and partner Deirdre O'Connor defeated Ger Molloy and Sinéad Bolger in straight sets in the mixed doubles final.

In the ladies' singles decider, Lorraine Dunne (Shelburne) won a gruelling three-set encounter 21-16, 18-21, 21-19 against club colleague Helen Shalloe.

In the all-Shelburne clash in the ladies' doubles, Deirdre O'Connor and Carol Murphy had an easier than expected straight sets victory over Lorraine Dunne and Helen Shalloe.

The youngest player in the competition, 13-year-old Noel Dunne, secured two titles in the Division 6 championships. The young Taghmon player defeated club colleague Daniel Winters 25-23, 2115 in the men's singles decider, and then both players teamed up to secure a men's doubles title in a three sets 21-17, 15-21, 21-16 victory over Peter O'Byrne and Dara Kehoe.

It was a proud day for the Creane family, with sisters Gemma and Siobhán meeting in the ladies' singles final. The result of the sibling rivalry was Gemma overcoming Siobhán in straight sets.

In the Division 7 men's singles, Tom Morrissey (Davidstown) defeated John Murphy (Davidstown) 21-17, 21-13.