Dolphin Masters Settle for Second in Salisbury

Event: Wiltshire Masters Round 3 Venue: Salisbury Date: 2nd October 2010

With Dolphin eight points behind competition leaders Salisbury, it was always going to be a tall order to pull back any deficit at Stingray’s home pool in the third and final round of the Wiltshire Masters competition. Salisbury’s strength in numbers was too much for the smaller Dolphin contingent and for the seond year running, they won the overall competition with Dolphin in the runner up spot.

Highlights for Dolphin included the welcome appearance of Paul Matthews, who set a new 60-63 years record in the 100m individual medley, taking nine seconds off the previous record held by Chris Lock. Earning his first ever individual medal in Masters competition was Andy Garrett, finishing third in the 45-49 years 50m breaststroke taking two seconds off his previous best. The mixed relays provided another highlight of the evening with Dolphin’s A and B 4 x 25m teams taking first and third, with a superb effort by Salisbury’s anchorman just managing to split the two. The final race of the evening, the 6 x 25m Head Cup relay saw an exciting tussle between Dolphin and Salisbury, with the hosts just having the edge in the last length to take the win.

Top Dolphin performer throughout the competition was British Masters record holder Jon Audis. The 30 year old who regularly appears in the FINA World Masters rankings, deservedly won the overall mens under 40 award for amassing the highest number of points in the category across the three rounds.

Dolphin medal winners were John Audis (5 gold), John Cholod (1 bronze), Anthony Clark (2 gold, 2 silver), John Drake (4 gold, 1 silver), Mike Eaton (1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), Sarah Forbes (2 gold), Glenys France (1 gold, 1 silver), Andy Garrett (1 bronze), Claire Hayes (2 gold), Paul Matthews (1 gold, 2 silver), Louise Maynard (3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).

Overall final points: Salisbury 357, Swindon Dolphin 281, Bradford on Avon 184, Swindon Area Masters 158, Warminster & District 139, Corsham 87, Wootton Bassett Otters 71, Trowbridge 59, Marlborough Penguins 59, Melksham 27, Wroughton 11, Swindon ASC 10

Full results are available on the Masters Competition Page.