NATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE
13 DECEMBER 2008 – ROUND 3
The team:
| Kay Bennett Laura Campbell Becki Cole Lauren Collins Beth Davies Nat Dingley Katie Jones Ellie Lord Sophie Lord Sophie Page Emma Pay Sarah Pearson Becky Spoor Emily Tiano
| Jacob Anson Tom Asprey Joe Birnie Tom Burchell Nick Cruchley Adam Fisher Graham Harrington Phil Harrington Jack Henderson Adam Horton Jon Lee Harry Lord Sam Matthews Tom Pearson Alex Thom Sam Tromans |
A slightly changed team from the last round and with some great opposition it was going to take a tremendous performance. Welcome to Sam M swimming for the A team for the first time – great to have you with us. Here we go!
Lauren took to the water for the first swim and comfortably put 6 points on the score sheet – an effortless performance. A bit of a run on event 6 to 9 saw maximum points from these 4 events. In no small part thanks to a fabulous fly leg from Sam T on the 13/U medley relay; all 4 girls (Becky C, Sarah, Ellie and Becky S) in the 15/U Free relay going sub 30 seconds; the Dream Team (Jack, Alex, Jon and Graham) almost delivering their aim with a fantastic swim from all 4 lads; and the Open Ladies Medley relay (Lauren, Sophie L, Laura and Becky S) taking a very strong lead from the first leg and never giving it up. So after 10 events we had a 10 point lead over the second place team, Derby Phoenix.
The next 8 events put a further 33 points on the board with great swims from Katie on the 10-11 backstroke; and Laura on the Open Fly who won by a clear 5 second margin and made this stroke look so easy.
Just over half way and after 26 events we now had a 14 point lead with some outstanding swims in this section from Nat in the 10-11 Fly; Beth on the 13/U Back; and Lauren in the Open Back.
The next 8 events only saw one 1st place from Sophie L on the Open Breaststroke but there were plenty of 2nd places from Emma (10-11 Breaststroke); Beth and Sam T (13/U Fly); Becky S and Graham (15/U Free) extending our lead to 20 points after 34 events. 16 events left – can we do it?
Oh YES!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic performances from Sophie P (13/U Free); Jack (15/U Breaststroke); Lauren (Open Free); Katie, Emma, Nat, Kay (9-11 Medley Relay); Jon, Jack, Alex, Graham (15/U Medley Relay) and both the Ladies (Sophie L, Sarah, Ellie, Becky S, Laura and Lauren) and Men’s (Harry, Jack, Phil, Graham, Tom and Nick) Open Free Relays we finished on a high.
So the final scores:
Stourbridge 232 points
Derby Phoenix 206 points
Nuneaton & Bedworth 185 points
Leamington Spa 168 points
Walsall 136 points
Braunstone 120 points
In terms of positions in the gala, we scored our points as follows:
|
|
| Boys | Girls | |
| 1st Place |
| 5 |
| 13 |
| 2nd Place |
| 5 |
| 11 |
| 3rd Place |
| 4 |
| 1 |
| 4th Place |
| 5 |
| 0 |
| 5th Place |
| 3 |
| 0 |
| 6th Place |
| 3 |
| 0 |
Age group of the night with run away points is the Open swimmers. I have to say the Open Ladies took maximum points from their 7 events – what a magnificent performance.
Stroke of the night – our breaststrokers, well done to all of you – this was a great effort.
Swimmer of the night was a difficult one to choose because of so many outstanding performances. In the end I decided on joint honours going to Lauren Collins and Becky Spoor. Lauren you were outstanding all night giving maximum points to Stourbridge from your events and Becky, although you have been ill all week you put in some fabulous swims to contribute 3 1st places and a 2nd place in your relays and 2nd place in both your individuals.
A special mention must go to Laura Campbell who made a very long journey to compete in the gala. Your commitment to the team is fantastic and we would all like to express our thanks to you.
Team of the night – This was easy – STOURBRIDGE A - a fantastic gala with every swimmer putting in magnificent swims. I was very proud standing on poolside to see every swimmer in that Team giving it everything they had. This was a fantastic gala to be a part of and what a great end to 2008 – roll on 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to thank our hosts Leamington Spa for a great evening of swimming.
Jason