RTSC Gala Reports

Saturday 10th January - Essex League Division 1 - Runnymede

Saturday saw Romford Town competing in the third of this season's four division one galas, in what proved to be the closest league one gala for quite some years. Having won the first two rounds of this year's Essex Winter league Romford were looking to make it three in a row and in so doing make it easier to retain their title going into the last round.

With a few swimmers absent, Town called on a number of resources during an evening when every point mattered. After the 48th and penultimate event of the evening nothing could separate Romford and its closest rival Chelmsford.

The open ladies did their bit to create the climax with Jessica Coles producing a double of wins in the 100 metres Butterfly and Breaststroke. Nicole Raymond produced good swims too in winning the 100 metres Freestyle and coming 2nd in the 100 metres Backstroke.

In the relay events Nicole’s sister, Danielle Raymond, making a welcome return to competitive swimming for the first time in a while combined with Nicole and Jessica to win both the Medley and Freestyle relays. They were joined by Elena Sheridan in the Medley relay whilst Stevie Coker made up the quartet in the Freestyle team.

Stevie was successful too in her own age group, the 15 years girls relays, as with Rachel Welsh, Elena Sheridan and Harriette Davis the quartet won the Medley relay with Claire Jackson replacing Elena in the Freestyle team which they won also.

In the individual 15 years girls events, 13 year old Harriette Davis took 1st place in the 100 metres Freestyle whilst 13 year old Elena Sheridan won her 100 metres Butterfly and Bethaney Hall also swimming up an age group did likewise as she won the 100 metres Breaststroke. Rachel Welsh gained valuable points, as she was 2nd in the 100 metres Backstroke.

Not surprisingly, having won their respective individual events swimming up an age Bethaney Hall and Elena Sheridan won their actual 13 year age group 100 metres Breaststroke and Butterfly respectively. Harriettte Davis did likewise as she won the 13 years 100 metres Backstroke. Rosie Webber, Emma Aston and Claire Jackson joined Bethaney Hall as the quartet gained 3rd place finishes in their Medley and Freestyle relays.

The 13 year old boys Medley relay team of George Ellis, Harry Coker, James Kidd and Charlie Davis took a good 2nd spot, whilst Harry Coker had an impressive 100 metres Butterfly swim to gain 1st place, with George Ellis taking 2nd spot in the 100 metres Backstroke.

13-year-old Joseph Stamp won his 100 metres Freestyle, whilst Sean Houlihan did the double by winning his 13-year age group 100 metres Breaststroke and also took maximum points by winning the 15-year age group event too. Combining with Alfie Burr and Tom Clark the quartet gained a 2nd place in the 15 years 4 x 50 metre Medley relay.

For the Open men, Jake Harrison was busy competing in two individual events. He came 2nd in the 100 metres Butterfly and won his favoured 100 metres Breaststroke. Lewis Kidd competing in the 100 metres Backstroke took 2nd spot and the pair were joined by Billy Coker and Robbie Kidd combining to take 2nd in the 4 x 50 Freestyle relay.

In the 11 years and under age group further valuable points were gained. Victoria Christmas was 2nd in the 50 metres Backstroke, whilst Essex League debutant Jodi Whitehead was 2nd in the 50 metres Breaststroke. They were joined by Megan McAuliffe and, another Essex League debutant, Maddie Webber to gain 3rd place in the Medley Relay

11-year-old Sam Hollington secured maximum points as he won the 50 metres Backstroke, whilst Luke Sheridan was 2nd in the 50 metres Breaststroke. Toby Mascall and Billy Davis made up the relay team as the quartet swam to a good 2nd spot in the Medley relay.

With Romford and Chelmsford on the same amount of points everything went down to the last event of the evening, the squadron relay. The team of Megan McAuliffe, Sam Hollington, Claire Jackson, George Ellis, Rachel Welsh, Tom Clark, Danielle Raymond and Robbie Kidd produced a battling display in coming 2nd, beating Chelmsford by just two tenths of a second who finished third.

This extra point meant Romford secured 1st place overall:

Final Scores:

1. Romford Town 230
2. Chelmsford 229
3. Waltham Forest 173
4. Phoenix 140
5. Halstead 134
6. Runnymede 118

Well done to all those that competed. Every point counted!