04 Mar 2012

Pershore show true grit in the pool.

In the second round of this year's PGL league last Saturday Pershore SC continued to make a good progress with many of their members swimming up at least one age group and having to compensate for 8 speeding tickets for some of their swimmers going quicker than league times. They were up against teams from Stourbridge, Wyre Forest and Ross on Wye clubs.

It was Jack Betteridge (12 & under) who recorded their first win in the 50m back with Simon Sweatman (9) and Isabella Woodcock (9) following shortly after in the 11/under breaststroke. Jack's younger brother Luke Betteridge (9) continued the family tradition also gaining a 1st place in the 9/u breast.

By the half way stage Pershore were nearly in last place following a spate of six speeding tickets but there then followed a good number of 1st and 2nd places and with nearly every member achieving personal bests and yet only another two speeding tickets the club's position steadily improved.

Leading the assault was another brother 1stplaces for Joseph (12) and Sam Doyle (9) 12/u breast and 10/u free respectively. Tom Bailey and Isobel Cumming led the field home in the 9yr boys and girls backstroke followed by Laura Snape taking 1st in the 13/14 50m breaststroke. Makenzie Christys bravely swam up two age groups but still took 1st in the 12/u girls in the 50m fly quickly followed by Daisy Tolley (9) swimming up in the 11/u girls backstroke and William Gearey (9) medalist from the previous week's County Champs the victor in the 10/u breast. Finishing the individual events Charlotte Downey (9) took a final but most valuable 1st place in the 9yr 25m fly.

With the last ten events being relays it became a monumental and yet timely team effort taking six 1st places ahead of the all powerful Stourbridge side but most importantly overtook the Ross and Wyre Forest teams. In the penultimate event the first of the 10 x 1 length 'cannons' the club showed true style being able to relax as there were no speeding ticket times on these. The 9 to 10 year old boys were up first and Pershore's finest set off in great style and by the fourth length had already built up a lead over their nearest rivals of at least 15 metres which the 11 to 14 year olds never relinquished winning most impressively by over 7 seconds.

Apart from the twenty three 1stplaced finishes nearly all pb's, others achieving their best times were Ella Spencer; Amy Weston; Megan Tolley; Hannah Kenwright; Kate and Josh Sharratt; Callum and Katie Sanderson; Angus and Michael Evans; Owen Leeks; Tom Bradley and Ollie Cross. The final scores were Stourbridge 158; Pershore 144; Ross 128 and Wyre Forest 120. Anyone wishing to arrange a free trial please enquire on the club's web site pershoresc.co.uk.

Ian


All news