GIRL POWER – WITH A VENGENCE!

 

Another trip to Stratford saw us going to defend our title as Gala winners for the last three years.  These are such fabulous trophies to win that we so badly wanted to return all of them to proudly stand in the Dudley cabinet again.  We knew the competition was tough and that we would have a fight on our hands but we were up for it.

 

The team:

 

9s: Rochelle, Ellie A, Ellie C, Katie

10s : Grace, Rhiannon, Olivia, Jordan

11s : Chloe, Kay, Emily B, Aimee

12/13s: Lauren, Emily T, Beth H, Beth D

14/15s: Hannah, Ellie L, Becky S, Sophie

Open: Laura, Zoe, Becki C, Becky S, Ellie L

 

First 6 races were relays, putting a total of 27 points on the board with wins from our 11 Freestyle and 14/15 Medley relays, with our Medley team coming in over 3 seconds ahead of 2nd place – well done girls.

 

Our first individual win for the night came from Jordan.  This was a very exciting race but never in any doubt that Jordan was going to come out the winner – what a gutsy performance from our little smiler.

 

Great swims from Emily B, Ellie A, Beth D and Becky S saw another 16 points added to our score. 

 

Next came Becki C who stepped up to compete as an open swimmer for me although well above her age group.  Not daunted however, she came home in 1st place with a convincing 4 second lead over the 2nd place swimmer.

 

Ok, now it was the Breaststroke Trophy Relay.  We didn’t win this one last year so it was going to be a tall order.  A valiant effort from all our swimmers but yet again this trophy as eluded us!

 

In her Butterfly individual Ellie C gave a tremendous effort just losing out on first place by 0.2 of a second – what a great effort!  Ellie L looked as convincing as ever on her breaststroke and powered through to take 1st place. Stepping up to the plate for me in the Open Free was Laura.  University has taken up a lot of time for this young lady but she put in an excellent swim and another 5 points went on the board.

 

Next came the 6 x 1 Medley Relay and another Trophy.  Unbelievable swimming with the lead see-sawing between us and Redditch but just at the finish we were pipped into 2nd place by only 0.2 of a second.  Great effort girls – we’ll have it back next year!

 

Now we’re half way through the gala and it’s anyone’s guess who’s in the lead.  The teams were so well matched.  It was great to hear that Stourbridge had a slender 4 point lead – come on girls!!!!

 

The result must have done us good because the next 4 races put 20 points on the board with Aimee, Grace, Emily T and Ellie C all coming in 2nd place with some excellent swims that had us on the edge of our seats.

 

Next up was Hannah – what can I say – a fabulous start, turn and swim.  Well done Hannah for an excellent swim and first place by well over a second.  You’re an absolute star for stepping in at last minute and saving my bacon.

 

The next trophy up for grabs was the Butterfly relay.  Now we won this trophy last year but with my Open fly swimmer missing, this was going to be a real test.  Don’t fail me now girls!  And they didn’t – Ellie C, Jordan, Aimee, Beth H, Becky S and Becki C swam out of their skins to put the first of the trophies back in the cabinet.  I was nearly in the water with them!!

 

When Jordan took to the water again for her individual Freestyle it was like déjà vu – never a doubt in my mind that the win was in the bag – well done Jordan on another tremendous performance with a massive 2 second clear margin.

 

So three quarters through the gala  - had we managed to maintain our lead?  Oh yes, we now had a 9 point lead over our nearest rival.

 

Beth D got us off to a great start in the last quarter of the race with another 4 points going on the board.  Sophie looked smoother than ever as she annihilated the opposition with over a 3 second margin on her win.  Well done Sophie, that was an incredible swim!  Becky S powered her way to victory swimming up in the Open fly.

 

The last 7 events were relays and the girls came out fighting.  There were some really exciting swims here with our 12/13 and Open Medley teams touching in just in first place and our 14/15s Free team putting in a tremendous team effort to come home well clear of the opposition.

 

Race 40 and the last of the relay trophies up for grabs.  This is a 12 x 1 length freestyle event and is fast and furious.  Hang on to your seats – here we go – Ellie C, Katie, Jordan, Olivia, Aimee, Chloe, Lauren, Beth D, Sophie, Becky S, Becki C and Laura came home triumphant with over a 5 second lead and the crowd were going wild – and I lost my voice!!!  What a fabulous end to a gala.

 

And so the final points – had we done it?

 

Stourbridge                         185

Kingsbury Aquarius              167

Stratford Blue                        167

Redditch                                 129

Rugby                                     109

Stratford Silver                      70

 

My choice for team of the night has to be the 14/15 year olds – only dropping 2 points all night shows the strength of this team – well done girls.  My swimmer of the night was a really difficult choice because I had so many to choose from – what a great situation for a Team Manager to be in – I think in the end it is Jordan Ingamells for some outstanding swimming.

 

 

Click for larger Version