RTSC Gala Reports

Saturday 21st March - Essex League Division 1 - Loughton Pool

With the Essex League all but secured for another season having won the first three rounds Romford were looking to make it a clean sweep, but with six first team regulars unavailable this task was going to prove a difficult one.

The senior men’s team led the way though as Daniel Stepton, Jake Harrison, Darren Stevenson and Billy Coker took maximum points as they won their 4 x 50 metre Medley and Freestyle relays. Daniel also took maximum points as he won both the 100 metres Backstroke and Freestyle, whilst Jake took top spot in the men’s 100 metres Breaststroke.

The ladies senior team of Stevie Coker, Jessica Coles, Nic Rees and Kay Hamilton swam to a good 1st place in their medley relay whilst Nic Rees took 2nd spot in the 100 metres Freestyle and Jess Coles was 3rd in the 100 metres Breaststroke. 14 year old Harriette Davis, having to swim up an age, managed 2nd in the ladies open 100 metres Backstroke.

Harriette joining forces with teammates, Rachel Welsh, Elena Sheridan and Bethenay Hall (both the latter swimming up an age group)and the quartet did exceptionally well in winning the 15 years Medley and Freestyle relays.

13-year-old Elena Sheridan gained maximum points in the two individual races she competed in taking the honours in the 15 years 100 metres Butterfly and Freestyle events. 14-year-old Rachel Welsh had to settle for 2nd place in the 15 years 100 metres Backstroke, as did 13-year-old Bethaney Hall as she contested the 15 years 100 metres Breaststroke.

In the Boy’s 15 years age group, Tom Clark, Alfie Burr, Joe Stamp and Sean Houlihan (both the latter also swimming up an age group) repeated the feet gained by the girls as they won their Medley relay, but had to settle for 2nd spot in the Freestyle team. 13-year-old Sean Houlihan took top spot in the 15 years 100 metres Breaststroke and not surprisingly gained 1st place in his own 13 years age group for the same event.

Harry Coker competing in the 13 years 100 metres Butterfly swam well to gain 1st place whilst Joe Stamp did likewise as he was 1st in the 100 metres Freestyle. In the 13 years girls’ age group, twelve-year-old Brock Whiston was 2nd in the 100 metres Breaststroke.

In the 11 years and under age group the boy’s team of Luke Sheridan, Sam Hollington, Toby Mascall and Sam Coker gained two very good second place finishes in the 4 x 50 Freestyle and Medley relays. Sam Hollington gained a good 2nd spot in the 50 metres Backstroke, whilst Luke Sheridan was 3rd in the 50 metres Freestyle.

Victoria Christmas ensured there was success too in the girl’s 11-year age group as she won the 50 metres Backstroke and was 3rd in the 50 metres Freestyle. Jodi Whitehead was 3rd too in the 50 metres Breaststroke. The pair were joined by Megan McAuliffe and Maddie Webber as the quartet gained 3rd place finishes in the Medley and Freestyle relays.

The last race of the evening saw, what must be some kind of record, half the team taken from one family as Sam Coker, Harry Coker, Stevie Coker and Billy Coker were joined by team mates Megan McAuliffe, Bethaney Hall, Harriette Davis, Tom Clark as they came a creditable 3rd place.

Despite some fine results this was just not quite good enough to take 1st place on the night and RTSC had to settle for 2nd place, but were content that it secured the Essex League title for the 6th year running.

Final Scores on the evening:

1. Chelmsford 224
2. Romford Town 204
3. Runnymede 166
4. Borough of Waltham Forest 157
5. Halstead 148
6. Basildon Phoenix 129

Well done to all those that competed in this evening’s gala and throughout this year’s campaign.