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Romford Town Swimming Club

established 1900



RTSC Gala Reports

8th December 2007 - National Speedo League (Final) - University of East Anglia

Town's Youngsters in Outstanding Form against South of England's Finest

For the second weekend in succession Romford Town Swimming Club’s young team took on some of the South of England’s best swimmers, on this occasion at the National Speedo League’s, London Division 1, Final. This is the third consecutive year that Romford Town have reached the Regional Final and whilst they weren’t quite able to emulate last seasons heights of overall 4th place, there some outstanding performances that brought them through to 5th in this eight team final.

Swimming this final in a long course pool for the first time at the University of East Anglia in Norwich , as expected, Town found wins hard to come by and with the strength in depth of most of their opponents , the best that Romford could muster from the opening relay exchanges was a 3rd and two 4th places. The boys 9-11 years freestyle relay team of James Kidd, Harry Coker, George Ellis and Sam Bishop combined well to finish just behind two of the evenings top teams from Ipswich and Ealing. The boys 13/U medley relay team of Tom Johnson, Sean Houlikan, Tom Clark and Alfie Burr and the Ladies Open Medley relay team of Georgia Hunton Clarke, Roseanne Thompson, Natalie Ward and Kira Fawke were both placed 4th.

In the individual events, it was again the youngest boys that racked up the points, with Ellis securing the first of only three wins for Town all evening. A strong start kept him in contention over the early stages before changing up a gear to take the decisive touch in his 50 metres backstroke event.

The story though much the same for Harry Coker in the boys 9 – 11 years 50 metres butterfly was just as exciting as he too proved the stronger competitor over final few metres, to snatch another victory with a time of 33.78secs. Coker later chipped in with a spirited 3rd place over 50 metres breaststroke. It wasn’t until Kidd, Coker, Ellis and Bishop came together again for their medley relay event that the Romford supporters saw the next home win. This was well worth the wait as the quartet, this time lead off by Ellis on the backstroke leg, dominated the race from start to finish.

Also in this age group for the girls, 11 years old Brock Whiston turned in another fine performance as she took a closely contested 3rd place from her 50 metres breaststroke swim. Teamed with Bethany Hall, Victoria Christmas, Sophie Thompson the four took 4th place from their medley relay event.

In the 13/U age group, 12 years old Elena Sheridan was again on top form following up last weekend’s short course PB over 100 metres butterfly, with a new long course best of 1min11.78 this time round. Not overawed by having to compete against older swimmers, she again produced a well paced race and even managed a late final burst that nearly took her through into 2nd place, but was pleased with 3rd on this occasion.

Jodie Momodu was close her long course best too as she clocked up a time of 1min 23.64secs over 100 metres breaststroke which gave her a hard fought 2nd place. In the corresponding boys event, Sean Houlihan set a new PB time of 1min 20.81secs to take 4th spot.

15 years old Christopher Stamp added another 6 points to the Romford Town tally with a powerful display in the boys 15/U 100 metres butterfly finishing 3rd with a time of 1min 03.86secs. In the same age group, team mates Jake Harrison set a long course PB of 1min 15.47 in finishing 4th in the 100 metres breaststroke, Jessica Coles was very close to her best in taking 4th in the girls event and Nicole Raymond was 4th over 100 metres freestyle. Stamp and Harrison teamed up with Tom Toolis and James Davis for 4th place in their medley relay event.

In the ladies open events there were further 4th placed swims for Roseanne Thompson in her 100 metres backstroke, Natalie Ward in the 100 metres butterfly and for Georgia Hunton Clarke over 100 metres backstroke.

There were yet more 4th placed finishes in the 13/U age group for Thomas Ckark in the 100 metres freestyle and Tom Johnson in the 100 metres backstroke. Final Result

  1. Team Ipswich 321
  2. Hatfield 314
  3. Campden Swiss Cottage 290
  4. Ealing 247
  5. Romford Town 201
  6. Harrow & Wealdstone 179
  7. Wandsworth 134
  8. West Suffolk 111
Well done to every swimmer that contributed to this outstanding team result.