RTSC Gala Reports

13th September 2008 - Essex Mini League - Witham

An outstanding 2nd Place for a very inexperienced Town squad

With the majority of Town's swimmers away teambuilding at Stubbers, Town fielded a team including NINE debutants:

• Hannah Binning
• Conor Julian
• Lewis Julian
• Matthew Stepton
• Max Stuart
• Chloe Thompson
• Jodi Whitehead
• Courtney Wilson
• Mitchell Wilson

It was going to be important for our more experienced swimmers to lead by example and Elly Pereira did just that with an impressive win in the Girls 11 and under 50m Backstroke event. Toby Mascall, just back from a week away with his school, then picked up a good 3rd place in the Boys event.

Debutant Hannah Binning joined Maddie Webber, Jessica Watts and Victoria Bishop in the 9 year old Girls Breaststroke Relay team and this quartet outlined our strength in depth in this girls age group with a comprehensive victory.

Victoria Bishop was celebrating her 9th birthday and was understandably nervous when pitched into the 10 and under Backstroke event over 50m - twice the distance she is accustomed to. However, a surprise first place for Victoria should mean less nerves next time!

There was a well paced swim and a PB from 11 year old Brock Whiston in the Girls 13 and under Freestyle and Alex Goodacre earned a good second place for the boys.

Karena Battie now spends more time teachng the club's younger swimmers, than she does in the pool, but she turned back the clock to win the Girls Open 50m Butterfly in some style. 12 year old James Kidd picked up a very good second place in the Boys Open.

Arabella Woolf continues to make good progress and she looked impressive in winning the 10 and under Girls Breaststroke. Maddie Webber, still only 9, swam well for 3rd place in the 11 and under Girls event. There was a welcome return to form for Sam Coker with 2nd place for the Boys.

Another Town teacher to come out of "retirement" for the cause was Rebecca Stamp. Rebecca joind Karena, Brock and Courtney Wilson for the Open Girls Freestyle Relay, but despite a lack of training they were just too fast to score any points. The Open Boys, however, just managed to stay inside the cut-off time, so Andrew Ward, David Ward, Matthew Stepton and Alex Goodacre claimed the 5 points for their win.

Debutant, Jodi Whitehead showed real potential in winning the Girls 10 and under Freestyle event. Whilst Oliver Coles overcome an earlier setback with a good win for the Boys. Sophie Ward won the Girls 11 and under Freestyle and there was another good swim for Sam Coker with second place in the Boys event.

Rebecca Stamp picked up 3rd place in the Girls Open Backstroke, with Alex Goodacre 2nd for the Boys.

10 year old Megan McAuliffe won the 13 and under Girls Breaststroke by some distance. James Kidd scored more good points with 3rd place for the Boys.

The Girls squadron Butterfly Relay team of Victoria Bishop, Sophie Ward, Elly Perriera, Brock Whiston, Rebecca Stamp and Karena Battie were second, as were the Boys team of Oliver Coles, Toby Mascall, James Kidd, Alex Goodacre, David Ward and Andrew Ward.

There was more success for Jodi Whitehead as she joind Bethany Moore, Sophie Ward and Elly Perriera to win the Girls 11 and under Freestyle Relay. James Kidd, Lewis Julian, Sam Hollington and Toby Mascall were 3rd for the Boys.

Once again, Megan McAuliffe was reluctant to swim in the Backstroke event, but once again she won (13 and under). There was a second win of the night for Karena Battie, this time in the Girls Open Freestyle and David Ward marked his continuing progress with an impressive win in the Boys Open Freestyle.

Romford Town swimmers are never "Shy on the Fly" and Bethany Moore took the field apart in winning the Girls 10 and under Butterfly. Sam Hollington was similarly impressive for the Boys, but dipped just under the time limit. A strong finish from Toby Mascall won him the Boys 11 and under 50m event, with Sophie Ward 3rd for the Girls.

In the Girls Squadron Breaststroke Relay there was a win for Maddie Webber, Jodi Whitehead, Megan McAuliffe, Brock Whiston, Rebecca Stamp and Courtney Wilson. The Boys team consisting of Oliver Coles, Conor Julian, Sam Coker, Matthew Stepton, Andrew Ward and David Ward were second.

There were stylish individual wins for Brock Whiston in the Girls 13 and under Butterfly and David Ward in the Boys Open Breaststroke. Brock then joined Megan, Courtney and Elly for another win in the 13 and under Freestyle Relay and the 10 and under Girls team of Megan McAuliffe, Arabella Woolf, Chloe Thompson and Bethany Moore were second.

Final Scores:

1. Colchester 179
2. Romford Town 168
3. Clacton 122
4. Maldon 101
5. Havering Dolphins 100

Town have one remaining gala in this year's league season (11th October at Chelmsford) and remain on course to retain their league title.