Millie shows the way in encouraging first round display

Event: Southern Junior League 2012 Round 1 Venue: Link Centre, Swindon Date: 21st April 2012

Swindon Dolphin made an encouraging start in the opening round of the 2012 Southern Junior League at the Link Centre with a third place finish just three points behind runners up Poole.  If the volume of noise is an indicator of excitement then this meet will be hard to match.  The Link Centre was full to overflowing with additional seating needing to be installed to squeeze in a more than a capacity crowd, creating a daunting atmosphere for the young swimmers.

It was the 10 and 11 year old girls that responded best for Dolphin.  Lying fourth after ten events, a convincing win by the impressive Millie Jeans in the 11 year old backstroke was the turning point that saw a surge from Dolphin to overtake Trowbridge and set up a close fought battle with Poole for second for the rest of the evening.  James Watson, Alice Lockey and Sophie Bartlett also claimed first place finishes before Jeans claimed her second win, this time in the freestyle.  By this stage Dolphin were within four points ofPooleand first place finishes by the promising Olivia Flack and the in-form Ella Wardale, along with another maximum for Watson kept the gap at four points by the start of the final relays.

Millie Jeans ~ 2 wins from 2 swims

Despite wins for the girls 10 and 11 year old relay teams and taking maximum points in the cannon, Dolphin ultimately failed to overhaul Poole but will not be too disappointed by this start.  Had it not been for disqualifications that saw two early relay wins and a second place finish chalked off, Dolphin would have been breathing down the necks of eventual winners Seagulls.  If Dolphin can cut these out in the second round a place in the Southern final is a genuine possibility.

Round 1 scores: Seagulls 228, Poole195, Swindon Dolphin 192, Trowbridge 181, Bournemouth B 105, Swindon Swim Squad B 96