5 Feb 2006 - Junior Speedo League
This year Thurrock Swimming Club drew the toughest possible opponents in the first round of the M11 Junior Speedo League. Maintaining their first division place for another season was going to be a very hard task as the top teams from Kingston upon Thames, Ruislip & Northwood, Braintree, Romford and White Darts descended on Blackshots pool .However, two victories in the first four races from 10 Year old Bradley Clarke from Grays in the 50m Freestyle (34.1pb) and 8 year old Salaam Motin from Chafford Hundred in the 25m Breaststroke (23.3pb) quickly established that Thurrock were determined to stay in contact with the best.
It was Thurrock's 10 year olds who really were the toast of the day as both the boys and the girls relay team notched up victories. Sonny Ford, Thomas Head, Charlie Davis and Bradley Clarke won their freestyle event and swopped in Gareth Hawkins and Loius Hughes to come second in the Medley. Meanwhile Rebecca Hayes, Georgia Mills, Amy Gore and Katherine Stephens proved that the girls could match anything the boys did with the same quartet also coming second in the medley.
Amy Beardwell Lacey from Grays swam an impressive race to win the girls 11 years and under 50m Breaststroke (46.56) and there was second places for Harriette Davis in the 11 and under 50m backstroke (37.14), Katherine Stephens- 10 years 50m Freestyle (35.26pb), Gareth Hawkins - 10 years 50m Backstroke (40.82), Sonny Ford - 11 years 50m Fly (39.01) and Rebecca Hayes -10 years 50m Backstroke (44.72pb).
Once again the Speedo League gave us an opportunity to see the fledgling 9 year old squad members in their first competitive action. Both boys and girls teams gave an excellent account of themselves with James Day, Freddie Housego, Kalaam Motin and Salaam Motin finishing third in the Medley while Rosie Merritt, Lily Mann, Chloe Wren and Rachael Moore came third in the Freestyle relay. Rachel also swam to second place in the individual 9 years 25m backstroke (24.18).
The overall team points see-sawed throughout the gala, however at the final event Thurrock were in 4th place with just 12 points separating 2nd to 4th place. Team Manager Debbie Grix praised every swimmers performance in the Thurrock Squad. 'They all really swam their hearts out in what was a really tough tie' she said.
Thurrocks second round gala of the league also takes place at Blackshots on Sunday 2nd April at 3pm.
Amy Beardwell Lacey from Grays swam an impressive race to win the girls 11 years and under 50m Breaststroke (46.56) and there was second places for Harriette Davis in the 11 and under 50m backstroke (37.14), Katherine Stephens- 10 years 50m Freestyle (35.26pb), Gareth Hawkins - 10 years 50m Backstroke (40.82), Sonny Ford - 11 years 50m Fly (39.01) and Rebecca Hayes -10 years 50m Backstroke (44.72pb).
Once again the Speedo League gave us an opportunity to see the fledgling 9 year old squad members in their first competitive action. Both boys and girls teams gave an excellent account of themselves with James Day, Freddie Housego, Kalaam Motin and Salaam Motin finishing third in the Medley while Rosie Merritt, Lily Mann, Chloe Wren and Rachael Moore came third in the Freestyle relay. Rachel also swam to second place in the individual 9 years 25m backstroke (24.18).
The overall team points see-sawed throughout the gala, however at the final event Thurrock were in 4th place with just 12 points separating 2nd to 4th place. Team Manager Debbie Grix praised every swimmers performance in the Thurrock Squad. 'They all really swam their hearts out in what was a really tough tie' she said.
Thurrocks second round gala of the league also takes place at Blackshots on Sunday 2nd April at 3pm.
