RTSC Gala Reports

Saturday 9th May - Essex Mini League - Dagenham

With competition in 33m pools having become a rarity, Town’s venture into Dagenham was something of a journey into the unknown for many its’ younger swimmers. No more so than for Sophie Mascall, Ben Davis and Liam Fearon who were tasting competition for the very first time.

9 year old Hannah Binning got Town off to a convincing start with a win in the Girls 11 and under Backstroke. Jonathan Toolis was second in the Boy's event.

Victoria Bishop, Sophie Mascall, Daisy Nolan-Day and Lois Loucaides had a comfortable victory in the Girls 9 year old Breaststroke Relay as did the Boys quartet of Sam Fitzroy, Harry Taylor, Mitchell Wilson and Liam Fearon.

Chloe Thompson(9) picked up 3rd place in the 33m Backstroke in the 10 and under age group before the fast improving Zac Coleman recorded the first of his two “time faults” of the evening in the boy's race.

Shara Islam was less than half a second away from winning the Girls 13 and under 100m Freestyle event, but had to settle for 3rd place in a hard fought race. Tom Benson’s hard work and commitment to training were rewarded with another big PB, but no points as he smashed the cut-off time.

Strong swims from 14 year olds Hannah Coles and Conor Toolis in the Open 66m Butterfly events brought them 1st and 2nd places respectively.

9 year old Lois Loucaides swam well for third place in the Girls 10 and under Breaststroke and Ben Davis enjoyed an impressive debut in winning the Boys event.

Arabella Woolf(10)and Sam Coker both achieved 2nd places in the 11 and under Breaststroke. There was a third place for our Girls Open Freestyle Relay team of Shara Islam, Courtney Wilson, Laura Brooks and Hannah Coles.

There were some great Freestyle swims in the one length events with a win for Victoria Bishop (9) in the Girls 10 and under and a second place for Maddie Webber(10) in the 11 and under. Zac Coleman (10) clocked up his second time fault in the Boys 11 and under event and Mitchell Wilson(9) did likewise in the 10 and under event.

A good finish earned Hannah Coles her second win of the night in the Open 66m Backstroke and there were impressive first places too for Laura Brooks and Tom Benson in the 13 and under 66m Breaststroke.

Victoria Bishop, Sophie Ward, Jodi Whitehead, Shara Islam, Hannah Coles and Courtney Wilson joined forces for the Girls Squadron Butterfly Relay and were just pipped for first place, but the Boys went one better as Mitchell Wilson, Conor Houlihan, Sam Hollington, Conor Toolis, Josh Rogers and Andrew Ward romped home.

Maximum points accrued in the 11 and under Freestyle relays with Jodi Whitehead, Chloe Thompson, Sophie Ward and Maddie Webber going for the Girls and Toby Mascall, Jonathan Toolis, Sam Coker and Oliver Coles for the Boys.

Laura Brooks(12) and Sam Hollington(11) chalked up another couple of firsts in the 13 and under 66m Backstroke. 13 year old Courtney Wilson looked set to win the Girls Open 100m Freestyle race, but didn’t quite have the strength to hold on until the end (although she will next time!) Josh Rogers, also 13, was too strong and got a time fault!

Chloe Thompson, Sophie Mascall, Daisy Nolan-Day and Lois Loucaides were clear winners in the 9 year old Girls Freestyle Relay, as were Sam Fitzroy, Harry Taylor, Liam Fearon and Mitchell Wilson for the Boys.

9 year old Victoria Bishop managed 3rd place in the Girls 10 years and under 33m Fly events and the improving Oliver Coles easily won the Boys event. Jodi Whitehead(10) soon overcame her nerves to win the Girls 11 and under Butterfly with Conor Houlihan(10) smashing the time barrier to record our 5th and final time fault of the evening in the Boys event.

The Squadron Breaststroke Relays brought second places for Town’s teams. Hannah Binning, Sophie Ward, Arabella Woolf, Shara Islam, Courtey Wilson and Hannah Coles going for the Girls and Mitchell Wilson, Toby Mascall, Jonathan Toolis, Tom Benson, Michael Fearon and Andrew Ward for the Boys.

Sophie Ward (10) had to fight hard to win the Girls 13 and under 66m Butterfly, with Toby Mascall (10) third in a tough Boys race.

The Open 66m Breaststroke brought a 3rd place for Michael Fearon in the last individual event of the evening and had Town establish a formidable lead going into the final Freestyle Relays.

Laura Brooks, Courtney Wilson, Shara Islam and Jodi Whitehead were comfortable winners in the Girls 13 and under Relay. There was added interest in the Boys 13 and under event with Josh Rogers, Tom Benson and Sam Hollington setting up a win for Sam Bishop and his broken toe (yes, it’s broken!)

There was no let up from Town’s 10 and under Freestyle relay teams as further wins from Maddie Webber, Chloe Thompson, Arabella Woolf and Hannah Binning for the girls and Conor Houlihan, Zac Coleman, Ben Davis and Oliver Coles for the boys sealed an impressive night’s swimming.

Final Result:

1. Romford Town 173
2. Becontree 141
3. Canvey Island 129
4. Hornchurch 126
5. Havering Dolphins 105

A great night. Well done everyone!