Cotswold League Round 3

Norton Radstock travelled to Gloucester to take part in their toughest draw of the League this season. Although there are three divisions for the Finals, teams are drawn from across the whole league for the first four rounds. This round saw NR drawn against Cinderford and Cirencester, teams currently near the top of Division 1, and Bishopsworth, top of Division 2.  Despite taking a smaller squad than usual, NR swimmers raised their game considerably, holding second place for much of the match and finishing a creditable third with 125 league points. The team achieved seven race victories and nineteen second places.

There were three club records and fifteen personal best times set. The three club records went to Freddie Lenihan in the 25m Freestyle, Time Inns in the 50m Freestyle and Sarah Britton in the 100m Butterfly.

The 11/under Boys team continue to dominate as they have done all season. Liam Willcox was first in the Fly and Breaststroke, Freddie Lenihan first in the Freestyle and second in the Backstroke, all in personal best times. Liam and Freddie, with Jack Barter and Ross Long, who was making his debut, also won the Freestyle relay and were second in the Medley.

In addition to Tim’s victory in the 13/under Freestyle, he was second in the Backstroke with Martin Lenihan also getting two seconds in the Breaststroke and Butterfly. Tim, Martin, Matthew Whatley and Seb Craig were also second in both relays.

There was some very tough competition in the older age groups, with Tim covering well with two seconds in the 15/under age group and Nick Britton getting a second in the Open Backstroke as well as covering three other 100m races.

For the 11/under Girls, Mary Inns won the Breaststroke and there were second places for Willow Wyatt in the Butterfly and Hannah Brooks-Scully in the Freestyle and Backstroke. All swimmers had personal best times. Together with Alana Walkes and Amy Grant, who was also making her debut, the girls were second in both relays.

Alice Bowden won the 13/under Girls Backstroke and was second in the Butterfly. The highlight for the 15/under Girls was Lauren Glover’s personal best in the Butterfly where she was just pipped on the touch for first place. The Open Girls group was very competitive. Sarah Britton, in addition to her record in the Butterfly, just missed out on the touch in the Backstroke.