Winter League Draws to a Close

Event: 2007/08 Wiltshire ASA Moonraker Winter League – Finals

Date: 16th March 2008

Venues: Link Centre, Trowbridge & Devizes (25m)

Swindon Dolphin’s A, B & C teams were all in action in the 2007/08 Wiltshire ASA Moonraker Winter League finals on Saturday.

Dolphin A completed their campaign with a second place in the final at the Link Centre. Despite holding a two point lead after 11 races, Dolphin were eventually well beaten by Tigersharks A, finishing 16 points behind their local rivals. Ten of Dolphin’s twelve victories on the night came from the Boys’ teams. The Under 13 quintet of Tom Iles, Niall Westman, Jack Janicki, Noah Kirby and Matthew Sambrook continued their good form of earlier rounds and emerged winners in all four of their age group events. There were three wins apiece for the Boys in the Under 15 and Open events. The Under 15 team of Cathal Westman, James Clark, Liam Herbert, and Joe Kerslake, followed their convincing relay victories on the opening day of the Wiltshire BAGCATS with wins in the backstroke, freestyle and breaststroke, whilst the Open team of Andi Manley, Chris Jones, Jon Audis and Nigel Masters provided one of the highlights of the evening with a sub 2 minute time in the 4 x 50m breaststroke.

Results: Tigersharks A – 198 points, Swindon Dolphin A – 182, Trowbridge A -172, , Salisbury – 118, Bradford-on-Avon – 93, Chippenham – 51

Dolphin B went in to their final at Trowbridge Leisure Centre as the newly crowned Division 2 Champions following 3 consecutive victories in the previous rounds and recorded 7 firsts and 8 seconds to finish a creditable second behind an excellent Corsham A team. The Girls’ Under 17 group of Lucy Bouverine-Brine, Dani Harris, Zoe Pattenden, Ashlee Cox and Jade,Cholod and the Men’s Open squad comprising of Dan & Mat Rose, John Drake, Steve Cryer, Richard Fouracre and Paul Kirk were particularly impressive.

Results: Corsham A – 179 points, Swindon Dolphin B – 145, Marlborough – 138, Trowbridge B – 127, Melksham – 117, Warminster,– 108,

Meanwhile at Devizes, the C team were in tremendous form securing 12 first place finishes in an exciting, closely fought gala, but eventually lost out, by 4 points to second place Durrington, with Swindon ASC emerging as worthy winners a further 10 points ahead. The girls’ Under 15 group of Lauren Hawkins, Danielle Hoppings, Helen Bennett, Emma Coleman and Tessa Hills won all their age group events and special mention also goes to Rob & Alex Green who made a return to the Dolphin colours after 9 years away and turned in outstanding performances.