RTSC Gala Reports

29th June 2008 - Junior Speedo League - Blackshots Pool

Sunday saw the final of this year's Regional Junior Speedo League. With the M11 League all but retained by a strong Thurrock squad the afternoon’s competition was all about who was going to take the runners up spot.

Having qualified seeded fourth from the two previous rounds Romford were looking to gain a place or two in this final gala and the race for second spot ended up being quite a tussle with only eight points at the end separating 5th and 2nd positions.

The 12 year old Boys led the way again with a clean sweep of victories in all six events contested. Sean Houlihan took the honours in convincing fashion in both the 50 metres Breastroke and Freestyle, whilst Joe Stamp did likewise in the 50 metres Freestyle. Harry Coker made it four out of four with a good win in the 50 metres Butterfly. The trio were joined by George Ellis as the quartet not surprisingly won both their Freestyle and medley relays.

A fast 50 metres Butterfly saw Elena Sheridan romp home in the 12 years Girls age group and she followed this up with a 2nd place in the 50 metres Freestyle. Bethaney Hall gained two 2nd place finishes in the 50 metres Breastroke and Backstroke. The pair were joined by Lily Rose Fancourt and Sophie Thompson as they gained 2nd in their Medley Relay.

In the 10 years Girl’s age group the quartet of Bethany Moore, Megan McAuliffe, Sophie Ward and Holly Higgins gained a 2nd in their Medley Relay. Megan McAuliffe swam to a comfortable victory in her favourite 50 metres Breastroke, whilst Bethany Moore was 2nd in the 50 metres Backstroke.

For the ten-year-old boys, Luke Sheridan gained a 2nd place in the 50 metres Butterfly and 3rd in the 50 metres Breastroke, whilst Sam Hollington came 3rd in the 50 metres Backstroke.

Brock Whiston gained a 2nd in the 11 years 50 metres Breastroke, whilst Rose Webber was 3rd in the 50 metres Backstroke and Emma Aston gained a 3rd in the 50 metres Freestyle. The trio were joined by Victoria Christmas as they gained a good 2nd spot in the Medley Relay following this up with a 3rd place finish in the Freestyle team event.

Oliver Applebee also gained a 2nd in the 11 years boy’s 50 metres Breastroke and joined by James Kidd, Charlie Davis and Sam Bishop the quartet gained a 3rd in the Medley Relay. Nine-year-old Sophie Ward gained a good 2nd place in the 25 metres Butterfly. These string of top three finishes helped Romford gain 3rd place on the day, but based on the teams results from all three rounds, propelled them to 2nd place in this years M11 regional league.

Final Round Scores:

1. Thurrock 249
2. Colchester 173
3. Romford Town 167
4. Kingston Royals 166
5. Hillingdon 165
6. Redbridge 98

M11 League Results:

1. Thurrock
2. Romford Town
3. Kingston Royals
4. Colchester
5. Hillingdon
6. Redbridge

Well done to all those that swam in this years competition.