RTSC Gala Reports

5th January 2008 - Essex League Division 2 - Halstead

Battling Romford keep hopes of retaining both titles alive

With Romford being current holders of Division One and Two, it hopes to retain both Divisions this time around. However, having come 2nd in the first round of four, this years League Division Two looks to be very competitive and this weekend proved no different for the Romford "B" team.

The girls 11 years freestyle relay got the gala off as Emma Aston, Lindsay Mclachlan, Laura Brooks and Ann Marie Smith gained third place, a position they repeated in their medley relay. Emma Aston got the solitary win in this age group, winning the 50 metres freestyle, as Lindsay Mclachlan gained a good 2nd spot in the 1 length Butterfly. There were third place finishes for Laura Brookes, 50 Backstroke and Ann Marie Smith, 50 Breastroke.

For the 11 year old boys, Luke Sheridan took 2nd spot in the 1 length Butterfly, whilst Aidan Jackson claimed 2nd in the 50 metres Breastroke.

Competing in her least favourite backstroke event, Elena Sheridan took 3rd spot in the 1 length event for the 13 years and under age group. Gabby Wallace was 2nd in the 50 metres breastroke whilst Lily Rose Fancourt gained a good 1st place finish in the 50 metres Butterfly. Claire Jackson and Sophie Ward joined Gabby and Lily Rose as they came 2nd in the medley relay; they managed 3rd spot in the freestyle relay.

Alex Goodacre gained a 1st place in the boys 13 years,50 metres Butterfly whilst Harry Coker was 3rd in the 50 metres Breastroke.

In the 15 years 100 metres Breastroke, Sian Aston gained 2nd spot, whilst Elena Sheridan was 3rd in the 50 metres Butterfly. Emma Mcauliffe, Isabel Allsop, Elena Sheridan and Alex Rose gained 3rd in the medley relay.

James Davis continued his fine form as he won the 100 metres breastroke and gained 2nd in the 100 metres freestyle. Anthony Wright was 2nd in the 100 metres backstroke whilst Andrew Ward also gained 2nd in the Butterfly event. Joined by Laurence Goodacre the quartet were 2nd in both the medley and freestyle relays.

Competing in the ladies Butterfly event, Victoria Bass came second, whilst for the open men, Chris Wright was 3rd. Sam Whitehead took 3rd in the 100 backstroke, whilst Jamie Harrington was 3rd in the 100 freestyle. Joined by Billy Coker the men’s medley relay gained a 2nd spot.

Emma Marney was joined by Sian Aston, Victoria Bass and Zoey Littlechild as they picked up a good third spot in the open ladies medley relay.

Despite some good performances these weren’t good enough to overhaul a strong Waltham Forest A team, though sets up the remaining two rounds nicely:

1. Waltham Forest 178
2. Romford Town 150
2. Halstead 150
3. Harlow 129
4. Brentwood 122

Well done to all those that competed, some at very short notice.