RTSC Gala Reports

Sunday 2nd October - South of England Junior Arena League Final - Birmingham

Sunday, saw Romford's youngsters competing at the South of England Junior Arena League Final. Having gained their place through winning the M11 region earlier in the year they took their place in Birmingham, amongst the following teams: City of Norwich, City of Derby, Hillingdon Borough, Boldmere (Birmingham) and Weston Super Mare.

With four teams from six going through to the National Final, despite competing against these larger clubs with their greater strength in depth, there was a good chance of progressing The first few relay events of the programme was to demonstrate how tough the challenge was going to prove.

The girls 12 years and under medley relay team of Erin Corney, Hannah Binning, Holly Hilldrew and Chloe Thompson were 5th, whilst the boys 12 years and under medley relay of Josh Burcombe, Ben Davis, Mitchel Wilson and Zac Coleman were 4th.

The girls nine year freestyle relay of Molly Bath, Emily Milton, Georgia Marren and Kacey Harold gained a good 3rd as did the nine year boys freestyle relay of James Cooper, Jude Ward, Ben Drury and Reed Mansell.

The ten years girls medley relay of Eloise Dietz, Jessica Ayling, Martha Merritt and Fern Stuart were 4th, as were the ten years boys medley team of Joe Lomas, Billy Harrison, James Cooper and Joe Groves.

Continuing to demonstrate how tough the afternoon's competition was going to prove in addition to making sure every point counted the 11 years girls freestyle relay of Martha Merritt, Rebecca Cribb, Anna Manning and Fern Stuart came 6th whilst the 11 years boys freestyle team of Daniel Weston, Jack Rice, Jacob Smith and David Brooks came 5th.

There were some notable performances in the individual events. Nine year old Emily Milton got the first win for Town in the nine years 25 metres Breastroke whilst nine year old James Cooper went one better by gaining a double of victories in the 25 metres Backstroke and Butterfly.

Ten year old Billy Harrison put together two very good swims as he gained 2nd place in both the 50 metres Breastroke and Butterfly. Whilst Mitchel Wilson competing in the 12 years age group swam very well too to gain 2nd place in the 50 metres Butterfly.

Picking up good third place finishes were Jess Ayling in the ten years 50 metres Breastroke and 12 year old Erin Corney in the 50 metres Backstroke.

After 28 events Romford were holding on to the 4th place position by just seven points ahead of City of Derby. There were 4th place finishes for Daniel Weston and Anna Manning in the 11 years 50 metres Butterfly, whilst nine year old Georgia Marren kept the points coming as she was 4th in the nine years 25 metres Butterfly.

Holly Hilldrew competing in the 12 years age group was 4th in the 50 metres Butterfly and Breastroke whilst 11 year old Rebecca Cribb was 4th in the 50 metres Backstroke and Freestyle.

Jess Ayling also picked up a 4th place in the ten years 50 metres backstroke whilst Reed Mansell gained 4th spot in the nine years 25 metres breastroke.

With the last few races being the relays again it was going to prove tough to hold on to the 4th place and the gateway into the National Final. Despite a terrific all round team performance, the last squadron relay (one swimmer from each age group) was to prove reflective of Town's final position on the day. The relay team of Molly Bath, James Cooper, Jess Ayling, Billy Harrison, Rebecca Cribb, Jacob Smith, Erin Corney and Mitchel Wilson despite a battling display had to settle for 5th spot.

Result:

1. Borough of Hillingdon 208
2. Boldmere 206
3. City of Norwich 197
4. City of Derby 150
5. Romford 138
6. Weston Super Mare 119

Well done to all those competed including the team members that competed in the M11 Regional rounds but fell out of age for the final. All contributed to helping the club reach the southern final which was an achievement in itself.