Well what can I say, thought this competition was a doddle (just kidding).  I do wish someone would look at when this League takes place - half term week and Worcester County Long Distance Event 1 the following day.  It would mean we would have to field an under full strength team in one of our most important galas of the year. 

 

After some quite long discussions with Stew (back of the net) Nicklin, it was decided that any swimmers swimming in the Long Distance the following day should not be used.  This would mean no Tom, Phil, Nat, Anna, Lauren, Ellis, Alex and John; not to mention Sam, Charlotte, Adam and Grace who were all on holiday.  That is twelve out of twenty-four  missing.  I simply could not take this amount of swimmers from the B team.  I had to use Alex and Ellis with John swimming for the B team.  I hope it did not affect any of them the following day. 

 

Here's the team: 

11 years: Sophie Page, Fran Pinchin, Ellie Lord, Tom Asprey, Joe Birnie and Sam Tromans. 

13 years: Lisa Henderson, Sarah Pearson, Becky Shaw*, Steven Nock, Alex Thom and James Hendy*. 

15 years: Becky Evans, Ellis Ward-Brennan*, Zoe Hunter*, Harry Lord and Luke Goodwin. 

Open: Sophie Lord, Steph Walker, Laura Blunt, James Nock and Adam Hennesey. 

(* Not regular Winter League A Team although all quite often swim when four swimmers are required.) 

 

As you will all know, we love swimming against our local rivals Halesowen and Haden Hill - not to mention Bromsgrove, Perry Beeches and, of course, Wyre Forest.  This would not be easy and I was a little nervous to say the least.

The evening did not start well with the lane draw that took place without us hearing and guess what?  We drew lane one.  Never mind, it would make no difference - we were going to win!

 

It started well enough with a fine 6 points for the 11u Medley Relay.  Excellent swims from all six team members 2 seconds clear winners.  

Event 2 and 3:  Becky Evans and Harry Lord in this one with beck a little off the pace by her own high standards in 4th with Harry restoring normal service with a fine six points and a slow time by his standards as he had done enough and had to swim again very sensible. 

Event 4 and 5: Lisa and Steven 4th and 5th for this pair with Steve helping out as he does not normally swim this event for the team so thanks for your efforts. 

Event 6 and 7: Steph and Adam 4th and 2nd.   Steph unusually off the pace here and can do better with Adam just touched out. 

Event 8 and 9:  Ellie and Sam both 3rd place with two excellent swims from our younger team members. 

Event 10: 15u Mixed Medley.  With only 5  available Steve would swim up and didn`t he do well  a fine 2nd for this lot.  Well done. 

Event 11 and 12: Becky Shaw and Alex 5th and 4th and both beaten by some distance and can also do better next time. 

Event 13 and 14: Steph and James 4th and 3rd and both not happy.  Steph possibly not fit and James just touched out for 2nd and is always very critical of himself. 

Event 15 and 16: Sophie and Tom 3rd and 2nd .  Well done both

Event 17 and 18: Becky and Luke 2nd and 3rd .  Much better swim from Beck and a fine third from Luke. 

Event 19 and 20: Lisa and James both 3rd place and hard fought swim. 

At halfway its very close - in fact, too close: Stourbridge 79, Bromsgrove 78, Halesowen 77, Haden Hill 68, Perry Beeches 64, Wyre Forest 51.

Told you it was close.  Maybe as one parent pointed out, it was very exciting to watch.  Let me tell you, it is no fun for me, I will be grey or bald at this rate. 

Event 21: Open Medley.  With only 5 available Harry would make the numbers up and make them up he did a fine win and start to the second half. 

Event 22 and 23: Fran and Tom 5th and 2nd.  Fran touched to 5th from 3rd nothing in it and Tom a great swim. 

Event 24 and 25: Ellis and Harry with the only double of the evening.  Well done to both and with Ellis swimming the following day she certainly gave her all and Harry again a very busy night with his second 1st place of the gala. 

Event 26: 13u Medley.  3rd place for this team with two regulars missing that was a great swim from you all.  Very well done. 

Event 27 and 28: Laura and Adam 4th and 2nd Laura could of been 2nd here as all three places from 2nd to 4th were just about the same.  A fine 2nd from Adam.  Does he ever take a breath on the last length?

Event 29 and 30: Fran and Joe with fine swims to finish 2nd and 3rd.  Well done both. 

Event 31 and 32: Zoe and Luke 3rd  and 2nd.  Fine swims here from both with Luke looking better and better and Zoe well Zoe is just Zoe and what a great team player she is.  She is my voice coach and my word does she have one.  Has anyone  heard her shout for Ant Millard and he was in Droitwich. 

Event 33 and 34: Sarah and Steve 2nd and 4th.  Good swims from Sarah and Steve. 

Event 35 and 36: The final individuals and a 1st and 4th for Sophie and James. 

Event 37: 11u Freestyle .  2nd for this lot.  Well done all. 

Event 38: 15u Freestyle.  2nd again with Steve having to run back to the other end to swim again as a 13 superb effort Steve. 

Event 39: 13u Freestyle 4th and I am sure with the full team and Ste only swimming his own age we can do better.  Great effort. 

Event 40: Open Freestyle 2nd place by a whisker a gain with Harry swimming up and out of his skin.  Well done all.

Final points:

1st   Stourbridge A                       169 points

2nd  Bromsgrove                          160 points

3rd   Halesowen                           158 points

4th   Haden Hill                            142 points

5th   Perry Beeches Triple S          106 points

6th   Wyre Forest                         102 points

 

That was a tough one.  Well done to the whole team and thanks as usual to all my helpers on poolside.  Roll on the Final and hopefully everyone will be available for both teams.