PGL League Round 4 - May 2015
21 May 2015
Pershore were drawn against local rivals Evesham, Northgate and Stourbridge in Round 4 of the PGL League looking to secure the club’s place in the final at the end of June.
With victories in the first three rounds of the competition under their belt, Pershore just needed to finish in second place to insure that they reached the final in what proved to be an exhilarating night.
Jamie Saunders got Pershore off to a good start, with second place in the boys 13/14 50m butterfly (36.81), while Charlotte Downey produced a great time in the girl’s event (35.84) but unfortunately picked up a speeding ticket. Leo Rendall-Baker got Pershore back in the points with second in the 12/u 50m back (41.39) and Sophie Thomas produced the first win taking victory in the girls 12/u 50m back (41.79). Owen Kirby kept up Pershore’s run of form also winning the 11/u 25m breaststroke (21.98) while Tara Smith pushed hard in the girl’s event (25.21).
Luke Drayton powered to Pershore’s third win of the evening, taking first place in the boy’s 9 year old 25m free in 19.52, while Martha Cross added to the team’s points coming second in the girl’s 9 year old 25m free in 19.12. Jamie West picked up third place in the boys 13/14 50m back (40.01) and Jasmine Franks, swimming up a couple of age groups, also took third in the girls 13/14 50m back (39.29).
After ten events, Pershore found themselves lying in second place, just three points behind Evesham and ahead of Northgate and Stourbridge.
Two dominant performances from the boys and girls 12/u medley relay teams saw back-to-back wins for Pershore and maximum points to help claw back Evesham. Kirby clocked 17.30 in the boys 11/u 25m free for third place, while Thomas managed to snatch second in the girl’s event in 16.64.
Oliver Smith produced a fantastic swim to win the boy’s 10/u 25m fly (20.62) while Amelia Gearey picked up Pershore’s second individual speeding ticket by 0.01 with a 19.49 in the girl’s 25m fly.
Josh Lester and Leah Saunders both secured third places in the 9 year 25m breaststroke with 30.51 and 33.08 respectively.
After 20 events, Pershore had managed to take the lead with 50 points, ahead of Northgate by just one point, and Evesham back in third on 42.
Roan Williams came third in the boys 12/u 50m breaststroke (47.92) while Holly Winkley unfortunately picked up another speeding ticket with a fast time of 44.68. James Heeks looked strong in the boy’s 10/u 25m free, coming second in 18.20 while Gabriella Barry took maximum points with a superb with in girl’s 10/u 25m free (17.40). Lewis Cribben snatched silver in the boys 9 year 25m back (24.94) and Luke Perry made sure of more maximum points taking victory in the 13/14 50m breaststroke (41.11).
Winkley managed to stay within the speed limit in the older 13/14 age group 50m breaststroke with a 44.41. Jamie Saunders had a comfortable win in the boy’s 12/u 50m free (34.41) as did Tamara Marsden in the girls 10/u 25m back (21.90) and Josh Sharratt claimed gold in the 13/14 year 50m free (31.92).
After 40 events, the lead had changed hands again, this time with Northgate in first place on 105, Pershore in second on 100 and Evesham lying in third on 89.
Helena Leach grabbed silver in the girls 13/14 50m free (33.90) while Hamish Cross, despite winning in easy fashion, picked up Pershore’s fourth speeding ticket in the 12/u 50m fly (36.70). Rendall-Baker kept Pershore in the chase behind Northgate, snatching victory in the boy’s 11/u 25m back (20.32) while Caitlin Yates secured second in the girl’s event in 19.84. Marsden secured her second win of the evening, this time taking victory in the 10 year 25m breaststroke in 24.41. Cribben and Martha Cross both grabbed second places in the 25m fly to help Pershore’s cause.
With just the relays remaining, Pershore were still lying in second place with a clear margin over rival Evesham but seven points behind Northgate.
The Pershore supporters roared on the relay teams to set up an exciting finish to the gala. Pershore managed to win five of the ten relay events, with victories for the boys 13/14 freestyle relay team, dominant performances from the girl’s with wins for the 10/u, 11/u and 12/u freestyle teams. Pershore’s travelling supporters were in fine voice for the final event, helping push the girl’s 10 x 25m cannon to a clear victory.
The final standings were Northgate 163 points, Pershore 157, Evesham 133 and Stourbridge 118 – enough to secure Pershore’s place in the final at Gloucester at the end of June.
Tom Naughton, Pershore’s head coach, said: "Another great night for Pershore and an excellent performance from the whole squad. We can now look forward to the final and will give it our best shot!”