RTSC Gala Reports

Saturday 20th September - Essex League Division 1 - Runnymede

Romford Town got the defence of League Division One off to a good start at the weekend with a solid victory in the first of four Winter League galas. Now with six clubs in each division this year’s competition should prove to be a lot tougher and having only just got back into the new season, swimmers were expected to feel a little rusty. Despite this there were some good individual swims and in the team events Town excelled.

The Boys 11 years and under 4 x 50 Freestyle Relay of Samuel Bishop, Luke Sheridan, Aidan Jackson and Charlie Davis got the club off to a great start as they won the second event of the evening and managed 3rd in the Medley Relay.

Rosie Webber, Brock Whiston, Megan McAuliffe and Victoria Christmas came 2nd in the girls 11 years and under Medley Relay, picking up a 3rd place in the Freestyle team event.

The 13 years and under team of Hariette Davis, Elena Sheridan, Bethaney Hall and Claire Jackson took top spot in the 4 x 50 Freestyle Relay and gained the 'double' in winning the Medley Relay.

Sean Houlihan, Harry Coker, George Ellis and Joseph Stamp competing in the boys 13 years and under age group ensured they weren’t overshadowed by the girls as they did likewise in winning their Freestyle and Medley Relays.

Sian Aston, Emma McAuliffe, Elena Sheridan and Stevie Coker lined up for the 15 years and under Medley Relay in which they gained 1st place, whilst the boys 15 years and under Freestyle Relay consisting of Lewis Kidd, Thomas Clark, Alfie Burr and Joseph Stamp came away with 1st place in their Relay.

For the open Ladies Medley Relay, Nicole Raymond, Jessica Coles, Emma McAuliffe and Kira Fawke gained maximum points in winning this event, whilst the open Men’s team of Daniel Stepton, Jake Harrison, Darren Stevenson and Billy Tubbs did likewise in winning their Medley Relay.

With swimmers having only been back into training three weeks this first league gala was an opportunity to dust off the cobwebs. Some absentees from the team also meant some swimmers having to double up in age groups but they still coped with the extra demand.

Sian Aston got the club off to its first individual win of the night as she took the honours in the 15 years and under 100 metres Breastroke, whilst Sean Houlihan swimming up an age group did likewise in the Boys 15 years and under category.

Not surprisingly Sean also gained 1st place in the 13 years age group, as Bethaney Hall took 1st place in the Girls 13 years 100 metres Breastroke also.

Nicole Raymond gained 1st place in the 15 years and under 100 metres Freestyle and was soon back in the water four events later to win the Ladies open 100 metres Backstroke, with Daniel Stepton doing likewise in the corresponding Men’s race.

Jake Harrison continued to gain maximum points for the club as he won the men’s open 100 metres Breastroke, whilst Kira Fawke took 1st place in the Ladies 100 metres Freestyle.

Elena Sheridan was 1st in the 13 years and under 100 metres Butterfly, as Harry Coker gained 2nd spot in the Boys event.

There were good 2nd place finishes too for Jessica Coles and club coach Darren Stevenson in the Ladies and Men’s open 100 metres Butterfly. Jessica also had to compete in the Ladies 100 metres Breastroke where she gained a further 2nd place finish.

In the 13 years and under 100 metres Backstroke, Harriette Davis gained a good 2nd spot whilst George Ellis was 3rd. Joe Stamp gained 2nd place in the 13 years 100 metres Freestyle.

Megan McAuliffe and Rosie Webber gained 2nd place finishes in the 11 years and under 50 metres Breastroke and Backstroke.

In the 11 years and under 50 metres freestyle Victoria Christmas and Luke Sheridan picked up valuable 3rd place points as did Brock Whiston and Aidan Jackson in the 50 metres Butterfly.

There was also 3rd place finishes for Emma McAuliffe and Thomas Clark in the 15 years and under 100 metres Butterfly, with Stevie Coker also gaining 3rd in the 100 metres Backstroke.

Brock Whiston, Sam Bishop, Harriette Davis, George Ellis, Stevie Coker, Tom Clark, Kira Fawke and Daniel Stepton gained Romford 2nd in the final event of the evening, the squadron relay, which was enough to secure Town first place overall.

Final Scores:

1. Romford Town 237
2. Chelmsford 211
3. Borough of Waltham Forest 199
4. Runnymede 145
5. Basildon Phoenix 128
6. Halstead 100

Well done to all