NATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE
11 OCTOBER 2008 – ROUND 1
The team:
| Laura Campbell Becki Cole Lauren Collins 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
| Jacob Anson Tom Asprey Joe Birnie Tom Burchell Adam Fisher George Hammersley Graham Harrington Phil Harrington Jack Henderson Matt Hooper Adam Horton Jon Lee Harry Lord Tom Pearson Alex Thom Sam Tromans |
Lauren C and Jack started off the events with a 200 IM, Lauren just missing out on first place by 0.27 of a second and Jack coming flying through on breaststroke to finish in a fantastic 2nd place.
A good section from our 13s (Lauren S, Spohie P, Beth and Nat) and Open (Lauren C, Sophie L, Laura and Becky E) medley relay teams and our 15s freestyle teams (girls – Becki C, Ellie, Sarah and Becky S; boys – Jack, Alex, Jon and Graham) put us in 2nd place after 10 events by just 5 points behind Boldmere A.
The next 8 events saw some incredible swims. Katie started off in event 11 with an outstanding swim on backstroke to take 5 points. Sophie P was on her time for her relay split at the 50m turn on breaststroke and powered through the 2nd 50m to take a fantastic win by over 1 second. Well done Sophie, that stroke was amazing! Next came Joe on the 100m breaststroke and he took a well deserved 5 points for a very strong swim. Next up was Becki C on the 100m back and she did not disappoint, putting 6 points on the board and a winning margin of over 2.5 seconds. Jon kept the points rolling in with a great swim on the 100m back to take 5 points. Laura and Tom B finishing off this section in style in the Open fly. So after 18 events we were still in 2nd place and building up quite a lead over the 3rd place team.
Great efforts from Nat, George, Beth, Tom A, Becky S, Alex, Lauren and Matt saw us maintain our clear 2nd place after 26 events. Beth, having swum a great back was now up for her fly event and she certainly packed a punch as she put 5 points on the board. An absolutely outstanding swim from Graham on the freestyle gave us 6 more points. Sophie L followed suite on the 100m breaststroke, leading right from the start and just pulling further and further away. This was a great swim to watch with Sophie finishing over a second clear of the 2nd place swimmer. So after 34 events we were still in 2nd place, Boldmere having increased their lead but I think we had them a little worried!
When Ellie stepped up for her 100m breaststroke, there was never any doubt of the outcome, repeating Sophie’s earlier performance and taking the 6 points by over a one second margin. Jack looked awesome on his 100m breaststroke and it was just breath taking to watch. He finished over 4.5 seconds ahead and just oozed confidence on this swim. Our girls 9-11s medley relay (Katie, Emma, Nat and Shannon) and Open ladies (Laura, Sarah, Sophie L, Becky S, Becky E and Lauren C) freestyle relay teams both took 2nd place with some great takeovers and quick reactions. The last event of the night was the men’s Open freestyle relay. Now the last event is always exciting with every last effort put in and this did not disappoint us. Tom B, Phil, Jack, Graham, Matt and Harry put in a fantastic effort to win the last event of the night by just 0.1 of a second – but in my mind there was never any doubt as Harry turned for home and powered through the water, with the crowd going mad.
So the final scores:
Boldmere 250 points
Stourbridge 227 points
Leamington Spa 178 points
Long Eaton 147 points
Shrewsbury 133 points
Braunstone 110 points
Age group of the night is the Open swimmers, putting in a fantastic joint effort and the most points on the board for any of our age groups.
Team of the night – 15s boys and Open men for double tops on both their relay events.
Stroke of the night – our breaststrokers, taking an amazing 39 points from 8 events.
Swimmer of the night – just has to be Jack Henderson. What can I say? An incredible talent!
Boys or Girls – NOT AGAIN – it’s the Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to thank our hosts Leamington Spa for a great gala and most of all the swimmers for a fabulous evening of swimming – I couldn’t have asked for more! Round 2 is 8 November – please put the date in your diary.
