5 May 2007 - Speedo League - 2nd Round
Thurrock recently continued their winning in the M11 section of the junior speedo league. Round two saw Thurrock face more tough opposition from Barnet, Romford Town, Hoddesdon, Rochford and Southend at Blackshots Leisure Centre in Grays. Despite the quality of the opposition, the borough's current crop of outstanding junior swimmers were again on top form, beatingh Romford Town to 1st place by a comfortable 24 point margin.
From the 49 events in total, borough swimmers racked up a total of 27 wins, 11 second places and 6 third places.
It was certainly a case of same old faces, same places in many of the age categories and once again the 1996 born swimmers dominated almost all of their races. Gareth Hawkins from Ockendon doubled up and won both the 11 and 12 years 50m backstroke events (36.78 & 36.52) and this was emulated by Kayleigh Sims who dominated both the 11 and 12 year 50m breastroke to also take double victory (41.95 & 40.69). Bradley Clarke also doubled up and stole both 11 year 50m freestyle (32.82) and 50m breastroke victories (41.87), as did Amy Gore in the 11 year 50m back (36.71) and 12 year 50m free (32.26). Previous regular winners Katherine Stephens and Sonny Ford were narrowly beaten into 2nd place in the 11 years 50 butterfly events, with Katherine also just missing top spot in the 11 years 50m freestyle.
There were also victories a plenty for the 1994 born swimmers with George Epsly winning the 25m back (19.42) and Bobbie McCarthy taking both the 25m free (16.26) and 25m fly (17.78) events. Unlucky Kieran Gore then narrowly missed victory in the 25m breast, but winning ways were shortly resumed when the boys combined with team mate Jake Mills to dominate both the freestyle and medley relay events. For the girls, Eloise Lyons collected two 3rd places in the 25m breast (26.13) and 25m back (23.51).
Thurrock also tasted success in the 1995 born category with yet another swimmer, this time, Rose Merritt, taking double victory in the 10 years 50m fly (41.14) and 50m free (36.05).In the same age group, Rachael Moore took 2nd place in the 50m back (40.81) and 3rd place in the 50m breast (48.11). For the boys, Salaam Motin was victorious in the 10 year 50m breast (45.48) and also swam to 2nd place in the 50m back (42.23). Also representing the borough team in this age group was James Day from Chafford Hundred who swam to 2nd place in the 50m free (36.54) and 3rd place in the 50m fly (42.47).
Competing in the oldest 12 year age group, the experienced Amy Beardwell-Lacy took two 2nd spots in the 50m fly (35.31) and 50m back (38.35).
Thurrock's dominance was clearly evident all afternoon, as was the great team spirit, as the team won all but four of the relay events, including the exciting 8 x 1 cannon freestyle relay.
From the 49 events in total, borough swimmers racked up a total of 27 wins, 11 second places and 6 third places.
It was certainly a case of same old faces, same places in many of the age categories and once again the 1996 born swimmers dominated almost all of their races. Gareth Hawkins from Ockendon doubled up and won both the 11 and 12 years 50m backstroke events (36.78 & 36.52) and this was emulated by Kayleigh Sims who dominated both the 11 and 12 year 50m breastroke to also take double victory (41.95 & 40.69). Bradley Clarke also doubled up and stole both 11 year 50m freestyle (32.82) and 50m breastroke victories (41.87), as did Amy Gore in the 11 year 50m back (36.71) and 12 year 50m free (32.26). Previous regular winners Katherine Stephens and Sonny Ford were narrowly beaten into 2nd place in the 11 years 50 butterfly events, with Katherine also just missing top spot in the 11 years 50m freestyle.
There were also victories a plenty for the 1994 born swimmers with George Epsly winning the 25m back (19.42) and Bobbie McCarthy taking both the 25m free (16.26) and 25m fly (17.78) events. Unlucky Kieran Gore then narrowly missed victory in the 25m breast, but winning ways were shortly resumed when the boys combined with team mate Jake Mills to dominate both the freestyle and medley relay events. For the girls, Eloise Lyons collected two 3rd places in the 25m breast (26.13) and 25m back (23.51).
Thurrock also tasted success in the 1995 born category with yet another swimmer, this time, Rose Merritt, taking double victory in the 10 years 50m fly (41.14) and 50m free (36.05).In the same age group, Rachael Moore took 2nd place in the 50m back (40.81) and 3rd place in the 50m breast (48.11). For the boys, Salaam Motin was victorious in the 10 year 50m breast (45.48) and also swam to 2nd place in the 50m back (42.23). Also representing the borough team in this age group was James Day from Chafford Hundred who swam to 2nd place in the 50m free (36.54) and 3rd place in the 50m fly (42.47).
Competing in the oldest 12 year age group, the experienced Amy Beardwell-Lacy took two 2nd spots in the 50m fly (35.31) and 50m back (38.35).
Thurrock's dominance was clearly evident all afternoon, as was the great team spirit, as the team won all but four of the relay events, including the exciting 8 x 1 cannon freestyle relay.