RTSC Gala Reports

Sunday 27th June - Junior Swimming League (London Final) - Blackshots

With most of the nation's eyes on events in South Africa, the best six swimming clubs in the London area assembled for the Regional Final of the Junior Swimming League competition. Town had struggled to make much impact in recent finals, but this year they were one of four clubs in with a realistic chance of taking the honours.

First on show wasthe 12 year old girl’s Medley team of Amy Harris, Jodi Whitehead, Stephanie Tomlinson and Bethany Moore whose convincing 1st place set Town's hopes rising. The same quartet were narrowly beaten into second place in the 4 x 25m Freestyle relay later in the afternoon.

In the second event of the afternoon the boys 12 year old Medley relay, Sam Hollington, Kieran Gore, Jack Ayling and Luke Sheridan gained a good 3rd place, as it was already evident that the competition was tough and every point was going to be vital .

The ten year old girls, Anna Manning, Hannah Binning, Holly Hilldrew and Victoria Bishop picked up good points for third place in their Medley Relay, as did Sam Ellis, Harry Taylor, Alex Drury and Mitchell Wilson in the boys Medley event.

The 11 year old boys picked up Town's second win when Calum Connelly, Kieran Gore, Joshua Burcombe and Jack Ayling romped home in their Freestyle relay. Although the boys had to settle for second place in the Medley race.

The fast improving 9 year old boys team of Jacob Smith, Jack Rice, David Brooks and Billy Wilson achieved our final top 3 relay placing.

In the individual events 9 year old Georgia Milton was once again in outstanding form, winning both the Girls 25m Butterfly and 25m Freestyle events. The boys also did well in this age group with Jack Rice 2nd in the Breaststroke and David Brooks 3rd in the Backstroke and Freestyle

The 10 year old girls contributed well to the Town tally with Holly Hildrew first in the 50 metres Breaststroke and 2nd in the 50m Butterfly. Hannah Binning also did well to take second place in the 50 metres Backstroke and 3rd place in the 50m Freestyle.

There was a magnificent win double for Mitchell Wilson in the Butterfly and Freestyle events, whilst Sam Ellis earned a good third place in the Breaststroke.

For the 11 year old girls, Sophie Ward kept the scoreboard moving with 3rd place swims in the 50 metres Butterfly and 50 metre Freestyle events.

Kieran Gore swam well for second place in the boys 11 years 50 metre Breaststroke, whilst Calum Connelly was 3rd in the 50 metre Freestyle.

Although any individual wins eluded them, the 12 year girls swam impressively throughout and second places were achieved by Jodi Whitehead in the 50 metres Breaststroke, Amy Harris in the 50 metres Backstroke and Bethany Moore in the 50 metres Freestyle. Bethany also took 3rd place in the 50m Butterfly.

For the 12 years boys, Kieran Gore swam up an age to gain 3rd place in the 50 metres Breaststroke and Luke Sheridan was also 3rd in the 50 metres Freestyle,

Town performed very well to claim third place on the night, beaten only by the Borough squads of Barnet and Camden and once again confirmed their position as top club in Essex.

Final Scores:

1. Barnet Copthall 208
2. Camden Swiss Cottage 203
3. Romford Town 184
4. Thurrock 156
5. Kingston Royals 155
6. Colchester 122

This third place finish when combined with our first and second spots in the first two rounds ensured a great second place finish in the overall league placings, only one league point behind Camden. This was a massive improvement on last year's 5th place and hugely encouraging for next season.

Well done to everyone that competed. A really great effort. Let's go one better next year!