CORNWALL AND WEST DEVON LEAGUE

11 July 2009

Newton Abbot Swimming Club had qualified 5th for the final of this event and travelled away to the home of the Bodmin Dragons, the home team using their advantage to good effect as they eventually took the honours in a thrilling final. Truro City, Dinnaton, Kelly College & Caradon were the other finalists.

Newton had to field only 27 swimmers, a much reduced squad losing ten or more top swimmers. It was always going to be difficult having a multi-talented team who had outstanding commitments to leading roles in plays, dance productions, national water polo squad appearances as well as some family commitments.

Despite this and the atrocious weather – the team lifted their spirits and gave their all.
13 Personal Bests were achieved as nearly everyone swam up an age group to cover the gaps. Tom Wadeley-Jones a 14 year old from Exeter had been drafted in last minute as a 2nd claim swimmer and swam out of his skin against much older opposition recording his best ever 100m backstroke and freestyle times together with impressive relay swims.

Two first places were achieved with Brogan Mace cruising to victory in the 11 & Under 50m backstroke. Ryan Rogers matched this in the 15U 100m backstroke with a P.B, finally breaking the elusive 1 minute barrier with a time of 59.96 seconds.

There were also spirited swims from Eric Perkin who gained an excellent 2nd place in the 11U 50m breaststroke after previously attaining a P.B. in the freestyle. Similarly Sebastian Vaughan-Burleigh, who goes from strength to strength with two further P.B’s, one in the 13U 50m free holding on to 2nd place and the other in the 50m backstroke.

Other quality P.B’s were set by Rosie Allen in both the 50m breaststroke and fly,
Sam Booth in the 50m backstroke,  Harrison Boult in the 50m fly, Nicole Wickens also in the 50m fly & Catherine Bellamy in the Open 100m free.

There were also good swims from Jess Sanders-Wyatt (9), Clara Smith (10),
Jonathan Vaughan-Burleigh (11), Charlotte Wright and Connor Brodie (both 12) and Chloe Kemp (13) particularly in the relay events where they swam quickly, where the times do not count against personal bests. 

The Open races were difficult to compete in - with only one 17 year old
(Catherine Bellamy) & two 15 year old girls Holly Willing and Sophie Irons, although ably helped out with excellent swims from 12 year old Emma Silk, 13 year olds Emmy Shaddick, Gabby Martin and Abbie Clarke.

The Mens Open races and relays were also restricted with four 14 year olds boys, Gabriel Bailey, Lewis Hailstone, Tom Wadeley-Jones & Ryan Rogers covering most of the slots with a special guest appearance from Phil Whiting, whose age significantly increased the average age to a more respectable figure.