RTSC Gala Reports

Saturday 15th November - Essex League Division 1 - Braintree

With seven swimmers missing from the Division One team the second gala of four in this years Essex League competition was going to prove a tough assignment especially with the restriction on the number of events per swimmer.

However, despite this Romford did themselves proud as they came away winning this second round.

Darren Stevenson, now coaching the club's younger squad members, lead the way and demonstrated that he still has a lot to give in winning the mens 100 metres Butterfly. Jake Harrison took the honours in the mens 100 metres Breastroke, whilst Daniel Stepton did likewise in winning the 100 metres Backstroke. Daniel also gained valuable points in coming 2nd in the 100 metres Freestyle.

Two 13 year olds joined the mens trio in the open age group relays with Joe Stamp helping the mens 4 x 50 metre Medley team to maximum points, whilst Sean Houlihan helped the mens team out to gain 2nd place in the 4 x 50 Freestyle relay.

In their own age group, Sean Houlihan helped himself to a win in the 100 metres Breastroke (which he repeated in the 15 years age group). Whilst Joe came 2nd in the 100 metres Freestyle. Team mate Harry Coker was 2nd in the 13 years 100 metres Butterfly, whilst George Ellis continued to gain valuable points by coming 2nd in the 13 years 100 metres Backstroke.

George Ellis, Harry Coker, Joe Stamp and Charlie Davis came 2nd in the 13 years 4 x 50 medley relay.

Nicola Rees and Jess Coles were busy in the ladies open age group; both picking up valuable 2nd place finishes. Jessica gained 2nd spot in both the 100 metres Butterfly and Breastroke, whilst Nicola did likewise in the 100 metres Freestyle.

13-year-old Harriette Davis was left to compete in the ladies 100 metres Backstroke and did herself proud by taking maximum points and 1st place. In the ladies open 4 x 50 Freestyle team another 13 year old, Bethaney Hall joined Nicola, Jessica and Harriette as they clinched 1st place in this Relay event.

In the ladies 4 x 50 Medley relay Nicola Rees and Jessica Coles were joined by 14-year-old Rachel Welsh and 15 year old Stevie Coker as they won this event also.

Competing in her individual 15 years age group, Rachel Welsh won the 100 metres Backstroke, whilst Stevie Coker was 2nd in the 100 metres Freestyle the same position as Sian Aston in the 100 metres Breastroke. In the 15 years 100 metres Butterfly Elena Sheridan, swimming up an age group, gained 1st place. The same quartet were 1st in the 15 years Medley relay, with Harriette Davis taking Elena’s place in the 4 x 50 Freestyle relay to record another 1st in this event.

Elena made it a double as she won the 100 metres Butterfly in her own 13 years and under age group, whilst Bethaney Hall did likewise in the 100 metres Breastroke. Harriette Davis had to settle for 2nd place in the 13 years 100 metres Backstroke, whilst 12 year old Emma Aston did well in coming 3rd in the 100 metres Freestyle.

Bethaney Hall, Elena Sheridan and Emma Aston were joined by Claire Jackson as the quartet gained 1st place in the 13 years 4 x 50 Freestyle team.

Competing in the boys 15 years and under 4 x 50 Medley relay, Tom Johnson, Sean Houlihan, Harry Coker and Alfie Burr swam well to take 2nd place with Joe Stamp replacing Harry in the Freestyle relay where they secured another 2nd place finish.

The girls 11 years and under 4 x 50 Freestyle relay quartet of Victoria Christmas, Brock Whiston, Megan McAuliffe and Rosie Webber did well as they gained 2nd place which they repeated in the Medley relay, too.

Rosie Webber took maximum points in winning the 11 years 50 metres Butterfly, as did Brock Whiston as she won the 50 metres Breastroke. Victoria Christmas picked up two 2nd place finishes in the 50 metres Backstroke and Freestyle.

In the boys 11 years age group Sam Hollington gained 1st place in the 50 metres Backstroke and was joined by Sam Bishop, Luke Sheridan and Toby Mascall to take 3rd place in both Medley and Freestyle relays.

The last event of the evening saw the Romford squadron relay of Brock Whiston, Luke Sheridan, Claire Jackson, George Ellis, Sian Aston, Tom Johnson, Nic Rees and Jake Harrison take another 1st place finish helping the club to win the gala by 21 points.

Final Scores:

1. Romford Town 246
2. Chelmsford 225
3. Borough of Waltham Forest 164
4. Runnymede 159
5. Halstead 128
6. Basildon Phoenix 102

Well done to all