Reports
Mercian Summer League Round 3, Nuneaton - Saturday 12th July
On Saturday July 12th, Halesowen Swimming Club travelled to the Pringles Leisure Centre in Nuneaton. There was plenty of competition as the swimmers were against five other top teams in the A final of the 2008 Mercian Summer League. The Gala was a tightly fought one, especially between Halesowen and Stratford Sharks for fifth and sixth place with only one point between them after each event. Throughout the evening, Halesowen bounced from fifth to sixth position but with some fantastic finishes in the final relays, Halesowen secured fifth place in the League.
Individual wins were from Max Rollason in the 50m Backstroke and Richard Phillips in the 100m Butterfly. The Final relay of the night was also a win for Matt Cherry, Reid Piggott and Coner Carey in the Open Freestyle Relay. Second places went to Sarah Watts in the Backstroke, Thomas Taylor in the Butterfly as well as Aaron Smith and Haron Gill in the 14 years Medley Relay.
Final Scores were Solihull 208, Leamington Spa 201, Nuneaton 181, Walsall 173, Halesowen 143 and Stratford Sharks 141.
Worcester County Inter-Club Relay Championships - Sunday 6th July
A strong contingent of swimmers from Halesowen Swimming Club travelled to Worcester for the County Relay Championships on Sunday 6th July. In crowded and uncomfortably hot conditions the team were strong through all of the heats and only failed to make 2 of the finals on the day. In both the morning and afternoon finals Halesowen won all 3 of the opening events and were first in 8 of the 20 finals on the day. The competition was very close for the overall girls trophy but with the team securing that trophy by one point and the boys running out 10 point winners Halesowen also went home with the top Club trophy for the first time since 1986.
Final point scores were (top 5 teams):
Top Club: Halesowen 85, Stourbridge 74, Ledbury 53, Hereford 53,
Worcester 49
Top Girls Teams: Halesowen 40, Stourbridge 39, Worcester 37, Ledbury
24, Hereford 20
Top Boys Teams: Halesowen 45, Stourbridge 35, Hereford 33, Ledbury
29, Wyre Forest 23
Nuneaton Junior League Round 3, Halesowen - Saturday 28th June
Junior swimmers from Halesowen Swimming Club were in action in the third round of the Nuneaton Junior League at Halesowen on Saturday 28th June. The team had produced good performances in the previous two rounds at home but to finish the night as comfortable winners by over 40 points exceeded all expectations. The gala started will with Halesowen easing in to a 16 point lead by event 14 and from then on the lead grew and a win was never in doubt. With 22 first places on the night and 45 swims in third place or better this was an outstanding performance all round.
Ryan Davies was a triple event winner in the Breaststroke and both 11/U and 12/U Backstroke. Double event winners were Chloe Bate in the Breaststroke and Butterfly and Megan Willetts in the Backstroke and Freestyle. Individual event winners were Emma Baker in the Butterfly, Isobel Barnsley in the Freestyle and Sian Carey in the Breaststroke. The relay teams excelled with the age 9 and 10/U girls and 11/U boys proving unbeatable in both Freestyle and Medley events including Isobel Bowers, Ruby Fell, Chloe Finch, Elizabeth Smyllie, Nicholas Borghesi, Jacob Darby and Jamie House. Medley relay winning teams were the 9 year old boys of Nathan Appanna, James Benson, Rhys Richards and James Westwood and both 12/U boys and girls including Sian Carey, Lilian Parsons, Kathryn Smithson, Jack Slattery and Thomas Taylor. The team pulled of impressive wins in all the Freestyle cannon events with teams including Natasha Bird, Sarah Turton, Daniel McComb and Max Rollason
Final
scores
were Halesowen 252,
Walsall 211, Orion
165, Stratford Sharks 156, Coalville 150 and
Camp Hill 124.
Warley Wasps Friendly Gala, Thimblemill - Saturday 14th June
For the second weekend in a row, Halesowen Swimming Club was in action and in fine form as the swimmers secured another win at the Warley Wasps Friendly Gala held at Thimblemill Pool. The races included individual events, medley and freestyle relays, as well as a master’s relay, where the combined ages of swimmers had to be 160 years. With most swimmers finishing in the top two places, the team held a strong first position throughout the night and deserved the deafening cheers from their coaches, family and friends.
Nicholas Borghesi won 2 individual races in the Freestyle and the Butterfly. Other first places went to Thomas Clarke and Elizabeth Smyllie in the Backstroke, Daniel Johnson, Jamie House and Devon Collins in the Breaststroke, Pria Rai in the Freestyle and Abigail Hughes in the Butterfly. The relay teams also put on an excellent performance with the 10 year old girls, Chloe Finch, Beatrice Cowley, and Emma Baker, the 11 year old boys with Daniel McComb, the 12 year old girls and boys, Sophie Robinson, Georgia Bird, Sian Carey, Kathryn Smithson, Thomas Taylor and George Turton and the 14year old boys, Aaron Smith, Haron Gill, Daniel Thomas and Reid Piggott winning both relays. The 14 year old girls, including Emily Homer, won the Medley Relay and 10 year olds Samuel Bradley-Wood, James Westwood and Nathan Appanna won the Freestyle Relay.
Final scores were Halesowen 169, Warley Wasps 139, Blythe Barracudas 131 and Fox Hollies 78.
Mercian Summer League Round 2, Wombourne - Saturday 7th June
Swimmers from Halesowen Swimming Club travelled to Wombourne for the second round of the Mercian Summer League on Saturday 7th June. It was to be an exciting gala against some stiff opposition but all swimmers used their fighting spirit to take the lead. At one point their first place position looked a little threatened but the team was not about to let this happen. With the last third of the gala’s races finishing in first and second places, Halesowen’s final position was a clear first spot ensuring that they now take part in the A final on Saturday 12th July.
Double event winner was Jack Slattery in the 12 year old Breaststroke and Backstroke. First places were also achieved by Matt Cherry in the Open Individual Medley, Emily Homer in the Backstroke, Richard Phillips in the Butterfly, Pria Rai and Conor Carey in the Freestyle and Devon Collins and Haron Gill in the Breaststroke. There were first places for the 12 year old Boy’s Medley and Freestyle team including Jamie House, Nicholas Borghesi and Daniel McComb. The open relay team, including Fraser Pressdee and Adam Jackson, won both the Medley and the Freestyle events. Abigail Hughes joined the 14 year old Girl’s relay team to come first in the Freestyle.
Final scores were Halesowen 214, Stratford Sharks A 196, Rugby 192, Northgate 191, Wombourne 166, and Fox Hollies 73.
Nuneaton Junior League Round 2, Halesowen - Saturday 10th May
The second round of the Nuneaton Junior league was held at Halesowen on Saturday 10th May. The Junior swimmers were in top form and by the first announcement of the scores were finishing in second place. As the temperature soared so did the swimmers strength as they continued to swim brilliantly. With over two thirds of the races finishing in the top three positions, Halesowen’s Junior Team position was never threatened and they finished in a magnificent second place.
Individual first places went to Jack Slattery in the 12 year olds
Breaststroke and 10 year olds Max Rollason and Megan Willetts in the
Backstroke. There were
double victory swims for the 11 year old
boys
relay
team
with Ryan Davies, Jamie House, Jacob Darby and Nicholas Borghesi and
the 9 year old
girls
relay
team
with Isobel Bowers, Ruby Fell, Emma Baker, Isobel Barnsley and Emma
Elwell.
Special mention goes to
Final
scores
were Leicester Penguins 262, Halesowen 217, Phoenix Youth A 177,
Stourbridge A 161,
Mercian Summer League Round 1, Leamington Spa - Saturday 26th April
Swimmers from Halesowen made the trip to Leamington Spa on Saturday 26th April for the first round of the Mercian Summer League. Having 25 swimmers with regional qualifying times ineligible for selection the Mercian League will provide a real test for the depth of talent at the club but the swimmers did not disappoint. The team was in contention from the word go but it was not until the half way point did Leamington establish a clear lead with Halesowen leading the chasing pack. A strong series of results in the finishing relays saw the team finish the gala in the runners-up slot.
Individual winners were Matt Cherry in the Individual Medley, Jamie House in the Breaststroke, Richard Phillips in the Butterfly and Max Rollason in the Backstroke. Member of the winning 10 and under Freestyle relay team were Daniel McComb, Connor O'Grady and Matthew Scrivens and the 12 and under Medley team including Nicholas Borghesi, Thomas Clarke and Thomas Taylor. The 14 and under boys including Haron Gill, Reid Piggott and Aaron Smith won both Freestyle and Medley events which was matched by the Open Mens' team including Conor Carey, Adam Jackson and Fraser Pressdee.
Final point scores were Leamington Spa 261, Halesowen 213, Northgate 195, Redditch 189, Stratford Sharks B 97 and Fox Hollies 73.
Worcester Winter League Round 3, Droitwich - Sunday 20th April
Senior swimmers from Halesowen Swimming Club continued their impressive recent form by being crowned Worcester Winter League champions. The final round of the league saw three galas run consecutively at Droitwich with the B team starting the day early in the C final and only narrowly missing out on the runners-up spot by just two points. Later on the same afternoon the A team ran out winners to make it three victories in a row in all rounds of the league. The League title adds to the eight senior and nine junior titles won by swimmers at the recent Worcester County Championships and reaching the West Midlands Speedo League final in December 2007.
A team swimmers were on fine form and won no less than 21 out of the 40 events. Double individual event winners were Jacob Darby and Laurence in Hickin in the Freestyle and Butterfly and Ryan Davies in the Backstroke and Breaststroke. Butterfly event winners were Hannah Cuthbert, Bethany Jackson, Louise Williams and Sam Johnson, with Harry Cowley and Megan Willetts Backstroke winners, Marc Collett winning the Open Breaststroke and Lilian Parsons the 11 and under Freestyle. The relay teams were on excellent form and won 6 out of the 8 events. The Open team including Stephanie Hackett, Michael Edmonds and Nigel Gaskin won the Medley relay with the 11 & under and 15 & under teams winning both Medley and Freestyle events with team members including Imogen Davies, Kimberley Mack, Chloe Robbins, Conor Carey, Jamie House and Oliver Jackson.
For the B team individual event winners were Richard Phillips and Robert Smith in the Butterfly, Sarah Watts in the Backstroke, Devon Collins and Andy Papworth in the Breaststroke and Jack Watts in the Freestyle. The Open Medley relay team including Celeste Collins, Josie Evans and Roxanne Taylor also secured first place.
Chairman Duncan Edmonds said, "The Club last held this title in 1984 and is a fantastic achievement by our swimmers. This is the culmination of much hard work by many, many people at the Club and our congratulations and thanks go to all concerned".
Final scores in the A final were Halesowen A 197, Stourbridge A 190, Worcester A 160, Bromsgrove 113, Redditch 109 and Worcester B 67.
Final scores in the C final were Haden Hill 187, Wyre Forest 164, Halesowen B 162, Orion 149 and Droitwich 134.
Nuneaton Junior League Round 1, Halesowen - Saturday 12th April
It was a tough draw for Halesowen’s junior team in the first round of the Nuneaton Junior League on Saturday 12th April. Although swimming at their home pool, the juniors felt a little nervous as they were competing against the top teams in the League. However the intrepid swimmers swam with determination and speed, at times threatening City of Coventry’s third place. Every swimmer gave it their all and the junior’s finished in an excellent fourth place making coaches, parents and supporters very proud of them.
Ryan Davies won 2 individual events in the 11 year olds Back and Breaststroke. Megan Willetts won the 10 year olds Backstroke and James Benson came second in the 9 Year olds Freestyle. The 9 year olds Freestyle relay team of Emma Baker, Ruby Fell, Isobel Bowers and Isobel Barnsley came second, as did the Girls 8x1 Freestyle relay team including Natasha Bird, Lillian Parsons, Chloe Bate, Sarah Turton and Kathryn Smithson. Second place also went to Jacob Darby, Nicholas Borghesi and Jamie House in the 11 Year olds Freestyle Relay.
Final scores were Boldmere A 266, Nuneaton and Bedworth A 212, City of Coventry 185, Halesowen 173, Solihull A 128, and Orion 102.
Warley Wasps Junior Trophy Gala, Thimblemill - Saturday 22nd March
Junior swimmers from Halesowen Swimming Club travelled to Thimblemill on Saturday 22nd March which provided an excellent opportunity for B team swimmers. From the outset a strong Perry Beeches team raced into a commanding lead with their victory never in doubt. Halesowen settled into second place early on with all swimmers giving excellent performances throughout to grab the runners-up slot at the end of the evening.
Individual first placed swimmers were Sian Carey, Imogen Davies, Jacob Darby and Jack Slattery in the Breaststroke, Lilian Parsons, James Benson, Thomas Clarke and Ryan Davies in the Backstroke and Isobel Bowers in the Freestyle. The relay teams were on form with six victories from the girls teams including Georgina Barnsley and Kathryn Smithson and the boys teams including James Benson, Nicholas Borghesi, Jamie House, Max Rollason and Thomas Taylor.
Special mention goes to Georgina Barnsley, Sophie Bartlam, Chloe Finch, Jessica Gould, Eva Harris, Harriet Woodhall, and Thomas Welsh who were representing Halesowen for the first time.
Final point scores were Perry Beeches & SSS 201, Halesowen B 169, Warley Wasps 147, Kingsbury Aquarius 123, Wombourne 85.
Worcester County Championships - February & March
During the course
of four weekends in February and March 55 swimmers from Halesowen
Swimming Club took part in the Worcester County Championships and
produced an impressive haul of eight senior, nine junior and one age
group championship titles between them.
The swimmers took
part in an incredible 527 events with 145 of these in finals.
The Club produced 41 age group first places with an impressive total
of 122 swims meeting the higher regional standard. 56
Halesowen swimmers were placed in the top 6 of the Open category
which was, for the second year running, over one-third more than any
other Club in the County.
Louise Williams secured four senior championship titles with a clean sweep in the 50m, 100m and 200m Butterfly and 800m Freestyle. This was closely followed by Leanne Taylor’s three titles in the 200m Freestyle, 100m and 400m Individual Medley. Michael Edmonds won the 50m Backstroke senior title and was also junior champion in the 100m Backstroke and 100m and 200m Freestyle. Swimmers securing double junior championship titles were Hannah Cuthbert in the 100m and 200m Butterfly and Stephanie Hackett in the 200m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley. Other junior champions were Laurence Hickin in the 100m Butterfly and emerging star Chloe Robbins in the 100m Freestyle. Chloe Bate ensured that the future for the club looks bright by taking the overall age group category for the girls 9 years age group and won no less than 11 of the 15 events she took part in.
In addition to
their senior championship titles Leanne Taylor added age group first
place in the 200m Backstroke and Louise Williams the 100m
Backstroke. In addition to her junior titles Stephanie Hackett
added age group first places in the 50m Butterfly and Freestyle,
100m and 200m Breaststroke and 100m Individual Medley, Chloe Robbins
added the 50m, 100m and 200m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle, Michael
Edmonds the 50m and 100m Freestyle, Sam Johnson the 50m and 100m
Backstroke, Hannah Cuthbert the 400m Individual Medley, Roxanne
Taylor the 800m Freestyle, Ryan Davies the 50m Backstroke and
Laurence Hickin the 50m Butterfly.
Special mention
also goes to Stephanie Hackett for producing the championship best
performance for girls in the 100m Individual Medley, Leanne Taylor
for beating the 100m Backstroke championship record and, for the
second year running, her own 400m Individual Medley time with
Michael Edmonds also setting a competition best time in the 50m
Backstroke.
Other swimmers
achieving regional qualifying times were Natasha Bird, Josie Evans,
Megan Willetts, Marc Collett, Zach Collins, Oliver Jackson, Sam
Johnson, Robert Smith and Jack Watts.
Chief Coach Peter
Carey commented, “The 2008 Worcester County Championships has been
without a doubt amongst the best set of results produced by our club
swimmers. Each year the
standard they set has improved beyond expectations and
congratulations go to all our senior, junior and age group champions
and to all our swimmers for their exceptional performances.”
Worcester Winter League Round 2, Worcester - Saturday 16th February
Round 2 of the Worcester Winter League was held at Worcester on Saturday 16th February with both the A and B team representing Halesowen. After a well needed warm up from the cold winter’s evening, both teams were raring to go. Throughout the gala both teams showed their strength and determination as the A team kept a firm and definite lead and the B Team a clear and safe 5th place. The A Team's fantastic first place finish ensures them a spot in the A final at Droitwich in April and the B Team a place in the C Final.
An outstanding seven swimmers were double event winners. They were Chloe Robbins and Louise Williams in the Backstroke and Freestyle, Laurence Hickin, Bethany Jackson and Sam Johnson in the Freestyle and Butterfly, Hannah Cuthbert in the 15 years and Open Butterfly and Ryan Davies in the Backstroke and Breaststroke. First place also went to Harry Cowley and Megan Willetts in the Backstroke, Lilian Parsons in the Freestyle, Oliver Jackson and Stephanie Hackett in the Breaststroke and Jacob Darby in the Butterfly. The relay teams were truly amazing too, with every A Team relay claiming a win. Relay team members included Chloe Bate, Josie Evans, Emily Homer, Kimberley Mack, Pria Rai, Conor Carey, Mark Collett, Michael Edmonds, Haron Gill, Jamie House, Andy Papworth and Jack Watts.
Final scores were Halesowen A 217, Worcester A 154, Redditch 131, Perry Beeches & SSS A 130, Halesowen B 103 and Orion 98.
Bromsgrove Junior Female Sports Personality of the Year - 13th February
Congratulations from all at Halesowen Swimming Club go to Chloe Bate (age 9) who was nominated for the Bromsgrove Junior Female Sports Personality of the Year award. She attended a special awards ceremony on Wednesday 13th February and beat the other contenders despite her tender years! Congratulations Chloe.
Phoenix Youth Junior Friendly Gala, Cheslyn Hay - Saturday 2nd February
Saturday 2nd February saw Halesowen’s Junior team compete in their first Gala of the year at Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre. It was a gala evenly matched as the difference in points between Halesowen and Phoenix A remained at just 2 throughout the evening. Many races were such close finishes that only the times could spell out first place. It was a very exciting event and all swimmers put in a tremendous effort which resulted in 37 first and second places out of 51.
Double event winner was Ryan Davies in the 11 year old Backstroke and Breaststroke. Other Individual winners were 9 year olds Rhys Richards in the Breaststroke and Emma Baker in the Butterfly, Max Rollason and Megan Willets in the 10 year old Backstroke and Jack Slattery in the 12 year old Backstroke. First places went to the 9, 11 and 12 year olds Boy’s Medley Relay teams including Nicholas Borghesi, Jacob Darby, Jamie House, Luke Taylor, James Westwood and Nathan Appanna and the 10 year olds Freestyle relay team with Connor O’Grady and Daniel McComb. The girls were also in fine form as the 9 and 10 year old teams of Isobel Barnsley, Ruby Fell, Isabel Bowers, Chloe Bate, Elizabeth Smyllie, and Katie Howell won the Freestyle relays. The final relay race of the evening also ended in a superb first place with Natasha Bird and Lilian Parsons joining their team mates.
Special mention goes to Emma Baker, Isobel Barnsley, Isabel Bowers, Ruby Fell, Nathan Appanna, Rhys Richards and Luke Taylor for representing Halesowen for the first time.
Final scores were Phoenix Youth A 201, Halesowen 195, Walsall 164, Perry Beeches & SSS 138 and Phoenix Youth B 51.
Worcester Winter League Round 1, Halesowen - Saturday 19th January
The
first Gala of 2008, held on Saturday 19th January, proved
to be a terrific event for Halesowen Swimming Club. It involved a
great number of club members as 2 teams were put in for the first
round of the Worcester Winter League. Both teams were swimming at
the Gala held in their home pool and were
a
resounding presence as they cheered and supported one another
throughout the evening. Most of the swimmers had been competing
during the day at the Brierley Hill Open Meet and many had dashed
across the
Double wins went to Hannah Cuthbert, Laurence Hickin and Bethany
Jackson in the 100m Freestyle and Butterfly as well as Ryan Davies
in the one length Back and Breast Strokes. Other first places were
won in the 100m Backstroke by Harry Cowley, Leanne Taylor and
Michael Edmonds, 100m
Butterfly
by Louise Williams and Marc Collett, 100m Breaststroke by Kimberley
Mack, 1 length Freestyle by Jacob Darby, 1 length Butterfly by
Lilian Parsons and the 1 length Breaststroke by Imogen Davies. The
Mixed Medley relay Teams including Megan Willetts, Jamie House,
Chloe Robbins, Oliver Jackson, Connor Carey, Stephanie Hackett and
Anthony Hackett finished first,
as
did the Mixed Freestyle Relay
team,
with Sarah Turton and Nigel Gaskin joining them.
Final scores were Halesowen A 213, Stourbridge A 203, Bromsgrove
146, Halesowen B 135 and Broadway 88.
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