The 43rd Wexford players' championship dominated local badminton last week when players gathered in Ramsgrange Community College for the usual assortment of hardfought victories, unlucky losses and surprise results.

There were no surprises, however, for Edward Cousins as the Taghmon star secured an incredible eighth consecutive hat-trick of county titles. In the Division 1 men's singles, the champion overcame the challenge of last year's runners-up, Alan Mackay (Eagles), to retain his title in straight sets (21-12, 21-11).

Edward won his second title in the men's doubles when he and partner Noel Carton defeated surprise finalists Frankie Morrissey and Seán Sexton 21-12, 21-8. Edward's hattrick was completed in the mixed doubles when he and Laura Butler defeated Frankie Morrissey and Brideen Lynch 21-8, 21-12.

Laura Butler won her second title in the ladies' doubles when she and Laura Lynch saw off the challenge of Ellen O'Neill and Brideen Lynch 2114, 21-9. There was a surprise, however, in the ladies' singles final where Laura Lynch upset the seeding to record a 16-21, 21-17, 21-17 victory to deny her doubles partner her third title of the night.

In the second division there was a notable double success for Aisling Chapman, with the Cork-based player winning the ladies' singles title and the mixed doubles crown with Seán Sexton. In the battle of the young gladiators in the men's singles, Tomás Power (Shelburne) just edged out Nicholas Murphy (Taghmon) in an exciting three-set encounter (21-18, 22-24, 22-20).

Frankie Morrissey and Seán Sexton recovered from their loss in the Division 1 decider to take the men's doubles title, while Sandra Dunne and Siobhán Ennis won the ladies' doubles championship.

In Division 3, Taghmon's Nicholas Murphy and Eimer Dunne won their singles finals and teamed up for further success with victory in the mixed doubles championship. Chris McMackin and Tony Sinnott took the men's doubles championship while Edel Dempsey and Jennifer Sinnott are the ladies' doubles title holders.

There was double success also for Deirdre O'Connor in the fourth division, with the Shelburne player winning both the ladies' doubles title with Carol Murphy and the mixed doubles title with Paudie Foran. Fourteen-year-old Karen Butler is the ladies' singles title holder, with Ger Molloy defeating Class 5 intercounty colleague Ryan Butler in straight sets in the men's singles.

Lee Healy and William Gilliard won the men's doubles championship, with Cian Doyle and Karen Butler taking the mixed doubles title.

Ger Molloy and Ryan Butler also met in the Division 5 men's singles final, with victory again going to Molloy. Helen Shalloe won the ladies' singles title, with Deirdre O'Connor and Carol Murphy winning their second title of the night in the ladies' doubles.

Ger Molloy picked up his third title in the men's doubles when he and Dan Rossiter defeated Gary O'Neill and Eddie Cousins Snr.

Ballycogley's Paul McGuire and Ella Sinnott won the mixed doubles title.

Sisters Siobhán and Gemma Creane met in the Division 6 ladies' singles final with victory going to Gemma in straight sets, while Tomás Furlong took the men's singles title. Marie Whelan and Helen Shalloe are the ladies' doubles title holders, with Dennis and Paddy Moore winning the men's ttile. Paddy Wallace and Marie Whelan are the mixed doubles champions.

The only event in Division 7 was the men's singles championship which was won by Tom Morrissey (21-11, 21-9) in his battle against William Murphy.