Masters close on second in British Championship

Event: GB Masters Championships (50m)

Venue: Manchester Aquatics Centre

Date: 15 – 17 June 2007

Swindon Dolphin maintained third place in the British Masters Championships, closing the gap between second and third to just 8 points. Spencer were overall winners of the Coupar Trophy, with Otters just head of Dolphin in second place. >

The event, held in Manchester on the weekend of 15th – 17th June, saw Dolphin bring home 23 individual and four team gold medals and a total of 50 top three finishes.

Jon Audis and Andi Manley achieved five golds each, and there were multiple first place finishes for Nigel Masters (4), Chris Jones (3) and Louise Maynard (3). Dan Rose, John Drake and Paul Matthews also had good wins, as did the Men’s (100 years +) freestyle and medley relay teams, the Women’s (100 years +) freestyle real team, and the Mixed (100 years +) medley relay team of Claire Hayes, Sarah Lock, Chris Jones and Andi Manley, who set a new British record.

Jones also got in on the individual record breaking, with a new British and European record in the 200m breaststroke.

Coach Andi Manley was pleased with the progress the team have made since 2006 and, having almost overhauled Otters in second place, has his eye on top spot. “We’re still 100 points away from Spencer, but if we can persuade more of our Masters swimmers to make the trip north next year I believe we can challenge strongly for best club. Our Masters squad is strong and has the potential to do very well.”

Underlining that strength, there were also top three finishes for Steve Cryer, Anthony Clark, Ben Matthews, David Maynard, Glenys France, Sarah Lock, Allan Minns, Chris Lock and Paul Kirk, and Manley will be looking for these and other swimmers who competed in Manchester to consolidate and improve their positions next year, and for other Masters in the club to rise to the challenge of swimming at the country’s top meet.