RTSC Gala Reports

19th April 2008 - Essex County Masters Championships

Romford Town Masters left the rest of Essex in their wake at the Essex County Masters Championships last weekend. Romford Town swimmers won a staggering 55 gold medals, 31 Silver and 12 Bronze on the way to retaining the Top Team for the 18th successive year, the Top Male Team for the 15th successive year and the Top Female Team for the 11th successive year.

Top Romford swimmer was Jill Complin who won the overall Top Woman award. Top Male swimmer for Romford was Gary Wraight, who had a very busy weekend.

Highlight of the competition was the battle between two Romford swimmers in the 70/74 age group100m Freestyle. John Starr, making a welcome return to competition after a long lay off, battled to the end with compatriot Janos Leigh to finally get the victory with less than 3 tenths of a second between them. Anthony Pepper showed his dominance in this age group on the backstroke when he won the 50m by 7 seconds and the 100m with 16 seconds to spare.

Former-Olympian Stanley Clarke was imperious in the events he swam in, winning 5 gold medals. Just to prove that it doesn’t matter what age you are to take part in sport, 88 year old Leonard Cochrane won the 80 yrs and over age group in the 100m free and 50m backstroke.

Finally Romford beat off all challengers in the Team races taking 1st place in all 8 races entered.

The following swimmers took part in the competition:

• Kay Hamilton
• Kirsty Burke
• Lesley Cooke
• Barbara Boxall
• Jill Complin
• Joy Cochrane
• Leonard Cochrane
• Tony Pepper
• Janos Leigh
• John Starr
• Gary Wraight
• Stephen King
• Tom Enright
• Sally Wood
• Tina Harris
• Julie Sanders
• Nicola Clark
• Carly Jackson
• Darren Stevenson
• Barry Welch
• Paul Holland
• Lara Fenner
• Martin Fenner
• Carol Hulett
• Stanley Clarke
• Paul Alvarez
• Samantha Sheridan
• Keith Oddy
• Madeline Raymond
• Dawn Palmer
• Lesley Stamp

Full Results

Martin Fenner