IT WAS a case of third time lucky for two Dollar Academy youngsters last night as they emerged victorious in the grand final of The Courier/Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland Junior Schools Debating Competition.

Now in its 17th year, the event is always notable for its high standard of incisive debate and the quality was particularly evident this year as Carys Williamson and Katie Trim, who reached the final in 2003 and finished runners-up last year, were judged to be winners by a single point.

It is the first time Dollar has won the competition.

Runners-up were Clare Richardson and Margaret Nicoll from Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry.

Margaret had been no doubt hoping to emulate her brother Kenny’s victory last year but, as with all the debaters, she could hold her head high after an excellent performance.

A packed Lower Parliament Hall at St Andrews University echoed to the sound of sharp wit and quick thinking as the six surviving teams in the competition debated the subject This House Would Perpetuate Civil Disobedience.

The finalists had been whittled down from 30 schools that entered the heats.

The motion resulted in a well-balanced, well-researched debate.

Citing cases such as Martin Luther King, Skye Bridge protesters and anti-apartheid hostility, discussion ranged from the view that civil disobedience was worthy and acceptable when the laws of a country were unjust to the belief that breaking the law by “self-indulgent anarchists” was morally unacceptable, with rational persuasion more worthy through the powers of the media, education and debate.

The closeness of the argument was evident when the audience’s vote, which toppled the motion, was a narrow 71 to 69, with 10 abstentions.

Announcing the winners, Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond, who recalled his time debating in the same chamber while a St Andrews student “many years ago,” praised the “first class” debate.

He confirmed the winning team had been decided by a single vote but said everyone should be praised.

The teams speaking for the proposition were Ronald Guthrie and Arthur Learoyd of Morrison’s Academy B, Crieff; Lauren Pringle and Christine Reid of Dundee High School A; and Joy Molyneaux and Michael Sim of Robert Gordon’s College B, Aberdeen.

The opposition were Joanna Farmer and Katherine Duncan of Robert Gordon’s College A; Margaret Nicoll and Clare Richardson of Grove Academy C; and Carys Williamson and Katie Trim of Dollar Academy A.

Judges were Mr Salmond, Courier editor Bill Hutcheon, Professor Charles Munn, chief executive of the CIOBS, Professor Chris Smith, dean of arts at St Andrews University, David Bean, Father of the House, John Stewart, chief whip of the St Andrews University Union Debating Society, and Mark McDonald, former president of the Scottish Student Debating Council.

Before the prize-giving, Mr Munn praised the debaters for the quality of arguments and their personal styles.

In the speaker’s chair was Peter Blair, president of the university union debating society, who said the society had, as ever, been “proud and honoured” to host the final.

Describing it as the “best competition” he could remember during his years at St Andrews, he said members had been constantly impressed with the high levels of skill and enthusiasm shown by in all the rounds.

Offering thanks to the “excellent” judges, the speakers and all those who had made the event possible at The Courier and CIOBS, he said, “At this university we aim to stimulate debate and intellectual challenge and we are always glad to spread this to the schoolchildren of east Scotland.”