Dolphin victorious in Vale Cup

Event: Vale Cup Venue: White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, Abingdon Date: 21st June 2014

Following a resounding win at the inaugural event last year, Swindon Dolphin were again at the White Horse Leisure Centre in June to defend the Vale Cup. Hosts Abingdon fielded two teams for the competition with Bicester and Oxford also contesting for the title. A Dolphin squad of 31 did not disappoint and another thrilling evening ended in another convincing victory for the Milton Road based club.

Swindon Dolphin ~ Vale Cup Winners 2014

A fourth place finish in the first event was not the start that Dolphin wanted although it turned out to be one of only five fourth placed finishes throughout the whole evening. The straight run of four wins that followed meant Dolphin never looked back, and a further 21 wins from the 49 event meet ensured a final 44 point winning margin.

The most successful swimmers in individual events were Ella Wardale, Franklyn Wong and Henry Pearce all with two wins apiece. Also picking up first places were Denice Gardo, Jake Hancock, Luca Crockford, Lucie Wells, Miles Farrington, Nigel Masters, Noah Parker and Rebecca Matthews. Dolphin’s main strength however appeared to be in the relays with 11 wins out of 17 in the team events including the coveted concluding event of the evening, the 8 x 50m squadron relay.

As a one round competition involving teams across different counties and strictly limited to non-national arena league swimmers, the event provides a level of intensity and excitement rarely experienced, and Dolphin will undoubtedly be looking to make a return visit to the Vale next year to attempt a hat-trick of wins. Team coach Dean Fouracre was delighted with the evening’s performances. “The team effort and spirit was fantastic. Of the 31 swimmers competing this year, 23 were new to the team and with most producing personal best times, I could not have asked for more”.

Final points: Swindon Dolphin 203, Abingdon Yellow 159, Bicester 128, Oxford 116, Abingdon Green 115