RTSC Gala Reports

25th and 26th October - Rushmoor Royals Autumn Open Meet - Aldershot Garrison

Whilst the younger Romford Town swimmers were hauling in the medals at Ipswich's short course Open competition, a number of their older team members had opted for their first long course challenge of the new season at the Rushmoor Royals Autumn Open at Aldershot's 50 metre Garrison pool. Like their younger colleagues they too came away with a stash of medals, though here the reward was only for the fastest three in each event. Despite the week's heavy training and the lack of recent race preparation, there were many outstanding swims.

In the opening event, the Girls Open 200 metres Breaststroke, 16 years old Jessica Coles took gold in the 15 years and over age category with her team mate, 15 years old Sian Aston, not far behind in 3rd. Coles was again in action before the end of the first session, taking a bronze from her 200 IM swim and Aston notched up her second bronze over 400 metres Freestyle. In the boys Breaststroke event, 13 years old Sean Houlihan chalked up his first National Qualifying Time (NQT) of the new campaign, as he secured the joint 13/14 years title by some distance. In the open age group, 16 years old Jake Harrison was close to his very best to take the silver.

In the girls 200 metres Backstroke, 15 years old Nicole Raymond soon reaped the benefits of her increased training commitment with a substantial PB time of 2mins 32.95secs and an unexpected silver medal. 13 years old Harriette Davis was also at her best to take the bronze in the 13/14 years age group. Raymond tucked away her second silver medal shortly after this with a sparkling performance and another PB over 200 metres IM.

Tom Toolis (15) picked up a medal from his very first event, finishing 3rd in the 200 metres Backstroke and was unlucky not to add to his collection as he finished in 4th spot with a PB over 400 metres Freestyle later in the evening.

At the start of the evening session there were more medals in the boys 200 metres IM for Houlihan and Harrison. Houlihan, clearly fatigued from his earlier exertions succumbed to an older opponent on this occasion and had to settle for silver. Harrison had the gold within his grasp as a strong last freestyle lap saw him draw level with Rushmoor's Michael Baxter, only to lose out by less than 0.2secs after a sluggish finish. He too had to be content with 2nd place. His story was similar over 50metres Breaststroke where a sharper finish would have improved the 3rd placed result, as he was only 0.02secs behind the runner up, from Woking.

There were three medals for Romford swimmers, one of each colour, in the 200 metres Butterfly events. 14 years old Louise Harrington set a PB time of 2mins 37.25secs to take gold, while Jessica Coles added to her medal collection with a silver and 14 years old Alfie Burr put in a gritty swim to take a bronze.

Sunday's competition opened with the 400 metres IM events and 16 years old Daniel Stepton announced his arrival with a twelve seconds PB and his first long course NQT of the season, with a time of 4mins 47.28secs.

Nicole Raymond added to her growing tally of medals and PB's with a bronze in the 200 metres Freestyle with a time of 2 mins 15.83secs.

There was strong Romford representation in the distance Freestyle events and their youngest swimmer, 12 years old Joshua Rogers, grabbed his first medal, a bronze in the 800 metres event, with a PB time of 10mins 29.42secs. Harriette Davis added to her bronze on the previous day with a silver over the same distance.

Daniel Stepton and 15 years old James Davis brought the curtain down on a successful weekend with respective gold and silver in the days last event the 1500 metres Freestyle.

Well done to all