In an incredibly close and exciting Final, Worcester won the PGL League by the narrowest possible margin – 1 point clear of Evesham – prompting wild celebrations as team captains Abigail Walter and Harry Guest lifted the trophy
Having won the title 4 times in the last 10 year that the League has been contested (not held in 2020 and 2021), after a series of close 2nd and/or 3rd place finishes in 2016-2019, there was a steely determination to win back the trophy they last took in 2015, and the swimmers rose to the occasion magnificently with brilliant swims, Personal Best Time after Personal Best Time
The gala seesawed backwards and forwards but it wasn’t until event 46 of 62 that Worcester got a share of the lead with Evesham. From there on, it was nip & tuck between the two teams – with Bromsgrove and Cheltenham firmly in the mix too – and going into the two cannons, boys & girls, the two Clubs were still tied/inseparable. However, a first from the boys and third from the girls just edged a fourth and first From Evesham, for Worcester to win the trophy in the closest finish imaginable
The final points were Worcester 305, Evesham 304, Bromsgrove 297, Cheltenham 280, Pershore 265, Redditch 258, Sandwell A 217, Sandwell B 198
First places were hard to come by though James Ashfield managed two in the 9/u boys, winning both the Freestyle and Butterfly whilst his team mate Logan Nicholls bagged the 9/u Backstroke as well!
There were also 1st place finishes for Rapha Rea (boys 10 Breaststroke), Sam Corby (boys 11 Freestyle) and Clemmie Richards (girls 11 Backstroke) plus two of the older girls in the team, leading by example – Lillie Sawyer taking the 13/14 Backstroke and Scarlett Joiner the 13/14 Freestyle
Special mention must also go to Lucia Ingles who produced two massive PB swims to earn “speeding tickets” in the girls 11/under 50m Freestyle and Butterfly…as also did Harry Hunt (boys 11 Breaststroke) and Zara Ashfield (girls 12 Breaststroke)
However, above all this was a wonderful TEAM performance, with every single swimmer contributing hugely towards the final result, well done to one and all
The full 38 swimmer squad was: Ava Aspinall, Evie Rea, Elisha Mistry, Jessica Owen, Ava Copson, Ffion Lea, Clemmie Richards, Lucia Ingles, Pru Goodison, Xanthe Carrington-Abraham, Issy Wood, Zara Ashfield, Holly Sadler, Evie Goodall, Lillie Sawyer, Holly Hunt, Scarlett Joiner, Abigail Walter, Logan Nicholls, James Ashfield, James Walter, Rayan Faci, Freddie Preston, Rapha Rea, James Hill, Ellis McMullen, Khai Yang, Harry Hunt, Sam Corby, Lincoln Lewitzkyi, Oliver Ginger, Harry Pickup, Lucas Pedley, Orlando Grant, Aly Kear, James Bury, Jack Taylor Harry Guest