Worcester’s swimmers began 2016 in fine style, with both the “A” & “B” teams winning their opening rounds in the local Worcestershire Winter League.
The A team proved worthy winners against strong opposition including major County rivals Halesowen and Stourbridge… whilst the B team excelled, comfortably beating other Clubs’ A squads .
The final points were: Worcester “A” 211, Stourbridge “A” 201, Halesowen 159, Droitwich 127, Evesham 100…. and Worcester “B” 199, Orion 172, Perry Beeches 142, Oldbury 140, Bromsgrove 139.
For both teams, there were victories across all age groups… proof positive of the Club’s strength in depth at the moment. In the 11/under age group, Aimee Monks (Butterfly), Lauren Annis (Freestyle) and David Annis (Butterfly) swam superbly to record first places for the A team… whilst Michael Agoston (Breaststroke) and James Vaughan (Butterfly) really impressed for the B team. In the 12/13 age group, Worcester dominated at both galas. For the A team, Jenny Gearey (Backstroke) and Olivia Fletcher (Breaststroke) showed their class to finish first whilst William Gearey (Backstroke/Breaststroke), Aaron Cook (Butterfly) and Matthew Richards (Freestyle) managed a clean sweep! In the B team, not to be outdone, Josie Armstrong (Backstroke), Emily Caldwell (Breaststroke) and Leyla Tayar (Butterfly) all produced excellent times to record valuable wins for their team In the 14/15’s, only Sam Hall (Butterfly) managed a win for the A team such was the standard of swimming on display… but for the B team, there was a clean sweep again, this time from the girls… with Ellie McGinnes (Backstroke), Charlotte Yates (Breaststroke), Yasemin Tayar (Butterfly) and Sophie Davis (Freestyle) all outstanding… whilst Craig Strachan enjoyed a thoroughly deserved first place finish in the boys’ Freestyle. In the Open age group, Anthony and Becky Redfern each managed one win apiece on Freestyle and Breaststroke respectively… whilst for the B team, Lucy Clayton (Breaststroke), Nixie Turner (Freestyle), Mike Adair (Backstroke) and Ben Holmes (Freestyle) all secured very important first place finishes .
All in all, a terrific start to the League… continuing the Club’s momentum from 2015 .