NATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE
8 NOVEMBER 2008 – ROUND 2
What a difference a round makes!!! We always knew this one would be tough. The expectation was that Leicester Penguins would run away with the 1st place and they delivered on that one but local pride was at stake for 2nd place. With almost the same team as round 1, hopes were high.
The team:
| Laura Campbell Becki Cole Beth Davies Nat Dingley Becky Evans Katie Jones Ellie Lord Sophie Lord Shannon O’Brien Sophie Page Emma Pay Sarah Pearson Lauren Sanders Becky Spoor Emily Tiano
| Jacob Anson Tom Asprey Joe Birnie Tom Burchell Nick Cruchley Adam Fisher George Hammersley Graham Harrington Phil Harrington Jack Henderson Matt Hooper Adam Horton Jon Lee Harry Lord Tom Pearson Alex Thom Sam Tromans |
Ellie L put in a feisty start on her Open 200 IM and took a pb. A great swim Ellie and thanks for stepping up to the Open age group.
Our first, and only official win of the night, came in event 8 with our U15s freestyle team (Jack, Alex, Jon and Graham). The first 3 legs were tight all the way, with each swimmer pushing on every stroke. When it came to the 4th leg, Graham showed a fantastic turn of pace to bring the team home in 1st place. Well done lads, this was great to watch. I have to say they are my “dream team” of the night.
Second places were achieved by:
v Our U11s free team (Katie, Emma, Shannon and Nat) who put in a fantastic effort. This was a great race to watch.
v Katie who had an inspirational swim on her backstroke. You really are coming into your own on this event Katie.
v Laura who always makes fly look such an effortless stroke.
v Nat who was “flying” again with a scorching swim up the pool.
v Beth, driving that backstroke and putting in a fabulous time, finishing a clear margin ahead of 3rd place.
v Becky S who thundered up the pool on fly to finish with over a 2 second margin ahead of 3rd place.
v Graham, in his 2nd great swim of the night on freestyle.
v Sophie L driving hard on the breaststroke with another outstanding swim.
v Ellie who was superb on her breaststroke again with that target getting ever closer!
v U11s Medley Relay (Katie, Emma, Nat and Shannon) who put in yet another superb effort to do the double on their relays.
v U15s Medley Relay (Becki C, Ellie, Sarah, Becky S) – this really did show what a great range of strokes we have in this age group.
v U15s Medley Relay (Jon, Jack, Alex and Graham) – robbed on this one lads – should have been the double top!
v Open Freestyle Relay (Harry, Graham, Phil, Matt, Tom, Nick) – thought we’d got this one but it just got away!
In terms of positions in the gala, we scored our points as follows:
|
|
| Boys | Girls | |
| 1st Place |
| 1 |
| 0 |
| 2nd Place |
| 3 |
| 10 |
| 3rd Place |
| 6 |
| 8 |
| 4th Place |
| 8 |
| 5 |
| 5th Place |
| 3 |
| 2 |
| 6th Place |
| 3 |
| 0 |
It was close between 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams with only 7 points in it but unfortunately we were the 4th place team. We scored an average 3.5 points per event – come on guys we need to raise the bar!!! So the final scores:
Leicester Penguins 239 points
Halesowen 186 points
Worcester 183 points
Stourbridge 179 points
Gloucester 147 points
Long Eaton 109 points
Age group of the night is the U15s although the Open swimmers gave you a good run for your money.
Team of the night – 15s Boys for fantastic swims all night and for the exceptional relay efforts. You really have gelled as a team and it is fantastic to watch you.
Stroke of the night – our backstrokers, but this was a really close call with all 4 strokes coming within 4 points of each other.
Swimmer of the night has to be Graham Harrington. You were outstanding all night Graham – well done!
Boys or Girls – NOT AGAIN – it’s the Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on lads – what’s going on?
I would like to thank our hosts Worcester for a great gala.
Jason