RTSC Gala Reports

27th April 2008 - Junior Speedo League - Blackshots Pool

Sunday saw the first round of this year’s Junior Speedo League, in which Romford were drawn against last year's Regional winners and National Finalists Thurrock, amongst others.

The first two events, the 12 years and under medley relays, saw the club get off to a relatively good start. The girls team of Bethany Hall, Lily Rose Fancourt, Elena Sheridan and Sophie Thompson came 2nd whilst the boys team of George Ellis, Harry Coker, Joe Stamp and Sam Bishop did likewise in their relay.

In what proved to be a tough afternoon of racing the twelve year olds proved to be the most profitable of age groups for the club. With 1st place finishes rare to come by, Elena Sheridan and Harry Coker made it a succession of wins in the 12 years 50 metres Butterfly. Joe Stamp completed another victory with an impressive and stylish win in the 50 metres Freestyle and followed this us with a 2nd place in the 50 metres Backstroke. Bethany Hall had to be content with 2nd place in the 50 metres Breastroke and 3rd in the 50 metres Backstroke a position Elena achieved in the 50 metres freestyle. The same girls 12 years age group quartet gained 3rd in their freestyle relay, whilst Joe Stamp, Harry Coker, George Ellis and James Kidd gained 1st place in their freestyle relay.

Ten-year-old Megan McAuliffe recorded the clubs first victory of the gala as she convincingly won the 50 metres Breastroke, whilst Luke Sheridan achieved 2nd place for the boys and also a 3rd place in the 50 metres Butterfly. Bethany Moore had a hectic schedule of events as she came 3rd in her favourite 50 metres Backstroke, whilst Sam Hollington for the ten year olds, came 3rd also. Toby Masckall and Jonathon Toolis joined Sam Hollington and Luke Sheridan as they came 3rd in the medley and freestyle relays. Whilst the girls 10 years quartet of Bethany, Megan, Sophie Ward and Holly Higgins gained two good 2nd place finishes in their relays.

Nine-year-old Sophie Ward, also with a very busy schedule of swims, was the club's other winner as she took the honours in the 25 metres Butterfly. Sophie also picked up 3rd place in the very tight 25 metres freestyle.

For the eleven-year-old boys, Sam Bishop did well to come 2nd in the 50 metres freestyle, whilst Oliver Applebee did equally well to gain 2nd in the 50 metres Breastroke. James Kidd kept the points flowing with a third in the 50 metres Butterfly and the trio were joined by Charlie Davis as they gained 3rd in both medley and freestyle relays.

Brock Whiston gained 3rd in the 50 metres Breastroke, whilst Rose Webber did likewise in the 50 metres Backstroke and Emma Aston secured another 3rd place for the eleven year old girls in the 50 metres Freestyle. Joined by Victoria Christmas the quartet came 3rd in both their relays.

There were also good contributions from the debutant nine year olds, with Maddie Webber, Arabella Woolf, Jessica Watts and Sophie Ward taking 4th place in the Medley Relay, whilst Jack Lane came 4th in his individual Backstroke swim.

The final event, the squadron relay saw, Sophie Ward, Oliver Coles, Bethany Moore, Luke Sheridan, Emma Aston, Sam Bishop, Elena Sheridan and Joe Stamp come 3rd which was enough to secure 2nd spot overall.

Final Scores:

1. Thurrock 259
2. Romford Town 187
3. Runnymede 172
4. Colchester 168
5. Southend on Sea 128
6. Enfield Borough 108