Speedo League round 2 November 11 2006

Amersham S.C. travelled to Basingstoke on Saturday for the 2nd round of the National Speedo League (South) Div. 1 gala. Bouyed up by the presence in the gallery of their newly appointed chief coach, Malcolm Staight, and with spirits sky high the team performed magnificently.
Basingstoke in their home pool took an early lead but that did not last long. A string of superb personal best swims resulting in 22 first places shot Amersham into the lead which they never surrendered. The coaching staff and team management could not have asked for more as all 11 year old girls trounced the opposition with wins from Nia Kennedy fly 34.14 pb.,f/s 30.83; Megan Davies back 37.59 p.b.; Millie Price breast 42.19 pb and with Allessandra Quincey , Holly williams, Lucy Kirkwood and Pippa McCullough helping them win both relays for the clean sweep.
Daniel Barraclough lead off the 11 yr boys with wins in the fly 34.63 pb, fs 31.17 for 1st places and 100 fly in the 13 &U 1.17.64 pb 2nd place. Jim Thomson won the 11 yr back 37.75 and with Adam Green Matt Hazelwood and Kieran Wye they won both relays.
Lauren Wye (13) swam a brilliant 100 f/s in 1.02.99s pb to win by a good margin plus a win in the 100 fly and 3rd in the 15 & U fly in 1.12.71. Katherine Shaw (still only 11) won the 100 13 &U backstroke in a National Qualifying time of 1.11.21 obviously a p.b. Sophie Elphick (12) smashed her own pb. for 2nd place in the 13 &U 100 breast with 1.21.23s and a new club Age Group record. Together with Imogen Rome-Hall and Freyia Mahon-Daly these girls won both their relays.
Nothing typified the tremendous spirit and determination to win better than 14 year old Ross Thomson. Coming down the last length of the 15 & U. 100 free in 4th spot, he pulled out something special to touch first in 59.85s .
Chris Clements won the 100 Open Breast in 1.11.42 in similar fighting style and Gareth Fowler (17) having come away last weekend from the South East Region SC championships with a silver medal and club record for 50 back, was so far out in front in the 100 back that he could afford the luxury of cruising in to first place!
The 15 & U girls fs and medley relay team of Hannah Rome-Hall, Alice Barraclough, Sarah Whittaker and Elizabeth Hetherington were delighted to win both their races.
Some outstanding relay splits in both the mens and ladies open 6 x 50m freestyle event gave Amersham 2nd places. A further win in the Ladies open medley relay with Hannah Rome Hall, Alice Barraclough, Elizabeth Hetherington and Emily Holgate gave the Club more to cheer about.
More p.b.'s from Hannah Rome-Hall 100 back in 1.09.78s 2nd and good swims from Marcus Hazelwood at only 12 swimming up in both 13 &U and 15 &U 100 breast races ensured Amersham of victory.

The team now know they lie 4th in the League table and will therefore be in the top six final gala to be held in Bognor on 9th December.

Scores:
1st Amersham.................................211
2nd Basingstoke..............................189
3rd Alton........................................181
4th Hart ........................................172
5th Chesham...................................163
6th Maidenhead.............................. 127