Redditch Swimming Club Make a Great Start in Speedo League

 

There was an excellent performance from the Redditch Swimming Club team in gaining a very valuable second place and 5 points in the West Midlands Speedo League in Burton on Trent. This performance gives a good early league position and sets the club up for a push towards the top of Division 2 in the two remaining galas.

 

It was only one or two absences and a shortage of swimmers in a couple of age groups that cost victory - as Redditch finished just three points behind first placed Wyre Forest.

 

Team Coach Chris Britt commented “Our main strength was clearly in the open age group, with our older swimmers gaining nine of our 13 first places.” 

 

The boys' Team Captain, Paul Wilkes led the way with convincing wins in the 100 m butterfly, freestyle and individual medley events.  Laura Cranshaw also won two individual events, achieving a new PB (personal best) in the 100 m freestyle. A sixth individual win in the open age group was gained by 13-year-old Lucy Knibbs, who beat five older swimmers to win the 100 m breaststroke.

 

The open relay teams were also superb, with three wins and one third place from four races.  The gala finished with an exciting 6 x 50 m relay for the open age group, won in superb style by the team of Paul Wilkes, Dan Ruckwood, Richard Fleeman, Robert Stanley, Jamie Mackay and Craig Newton. 

 

In the 15 and under age group, Dan Ruckwood again showed his class by storming to victory in two events - 100 m backstroke and 100 m butterfly - with a new PB in the fly.  Dan also gained a valuable second place in the 100 m backstroke, swimming up with the open age group swimmers.  If it hadn't been for the fact that he had swum in the 100 m fly just two races earlier, then a third victory would almost certainly have been his.   There was also another good win for Danielle Harwood in her No. 1 event, the 100 m fly.

 

The only winner in 13 and 11 year olds was 13-year-old Lizzie Humphreys, who swam another excellent 100 m backstroke in a time that was within 0.5 sec of her PB, despite a recent break in training due to an injury.

 

There were also good new PBs from several swimmers, including Lydia May, Molly Dutton, Taylor Hartley, Sumant Kapoor, Sophie Bridgman, Craig Newton and Dan Ruckwood - and two PBs each for Robert Stanley and Chris Ball.  Chris commented “Sophie's 100 fly and Robert's 100 breast are two that particularly caught my eye”. 

 

Bravest swim of the night came from 12-year-old Sumant Kapoor in the 100 fly, volunteering to tackle this tough event for the first time - and completing it successfully to gain the club a valuable two points.

 

The team showed tremendous enthusiasm and team spirit and were a credit to themselves and the club. A big thank you to all who took part.

 

Team:

U11 – Lydia May, Clara Parker, Laura Hill, Molly Dutton, David Green, Taylor Hartley, Braiden Hartles, Dan Bridgman

U13 – Lizzie Humphreys, Michaela Britt, Emma Hardacre, Sophie Bridgman, Sumant Kapoor, Chris Ball

U15 – Jess Nice, Danielle Harwood, Lucy Knibbs, Suzi Britt, Dan Ruckwood, Rob Stanley, Gareth Ravenhill

Open – Laura Cranshaw, Rachael Jones, Paul Wilkes, Richard Fleeman, Craig Newton, Jamie Mackay