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With a total of 56 medals won in the Senior and Junior age group, the Whales were just pipped at the post by local rivals Borough of Waltham Forest for the Senior Junior cup.

Out of these medals 16 were gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze with each gold medal winner picking up a Trophy to be kept until next year.

There were some great swims with Kelly Andrews winning an amazing six gold’s in the Senior Age group. Kelly won the gruelling 1500 metres by two lengths from her closest rivals, plus the 400 200 and 50 free. Kelly showed what a great all rounder she is by also winning the 100 I/M and taking 4^th in the 200 I/M. Kelly was also favourite to take gold in the 400 I/M and 100 Free, but after a gruelling week at the Essex training camp in Barcelona, these proved just two much and Kelly had to pull out at the last minute. Kelly also took silver in a magnificent race for the Killerwhales, finishing 2^nd as the Whales took 1, 2 3 in the 100 backstroke. Watching Kelly’s swims must have been an inspiration to the young girls competing in their first ever Essex in the 9/10 medley relay. Christina Stenson, Molly Scott, Jodie Momodo and Sophia Potamitis swam like seasoned professionals to make the final and take 5^th place in a very competitive race, well done girls.

In the 100 back Michelle Kiff took gold and Kirsty Forbes took bronze in the senior age group, with Kirsty also taking gold in the junior age group. Kirsty also spent a week at Barcelona but showed what a classy young swimmer Kirsty now has become.

Michelle also took gold and the trophies in the 200 and 50 Breast, and the 200I/M. Michelle’s turns in the Breast were a lesson for all those young swimmers hoping to swim for GB, gaining 3 metres on every turn to win by a canter. In the 200I/M Michelle also blew away the competition with a breathtaking turn of speed in the fly leg, leaving her competitors 10 metres behind and looked a true class act.

Kirsty not only took the trophy home in the back, but also took the bronze junior and 4^th in the senior 400 I/M with a real gutsy display. Together with 5^th and 3^rd in the 200I/M and 3^rd and 2^nd in the 50 back, Kirsty has started this season in the best form of her young career, it can only get better.

Christina Leader, also just back from Barcelona’s training camp just continues to show what a classy Breaststroke swimmer she is. In the 100 Christina took double gold in the Senior and junior age group, taking control from the start and pulled away in apparent ease on the final length to win comfortably. In the 200 Christina took silver behind her team mate Michelle but won the junior title, for the second year running, with an awesome display of swimming. Christina then went on to take 3^rd and 2^nd in the 50 Breast, a great display by Christina.

Janine Rayner continues to improve on her times, taking 5^th Junior and 6^th Senior in the 200 and 6^th in the 50 Breaststroke, results due to the hard work in training. Charlotte Watkins although recovering from a heavy cold still battled through to take 4^th place in the 200 fly and Laura Andrews won a well deserved medal in the 200 free with her first pb in this event for some time.

The “boys” team were represented by Stephen Dawkins 18 and Daniel Hime who both won there first ever Essex Trophies.

Daniel won a total of 12 medals in the Senior and Junior age groups, in 8 races with his best performance in the very demanding 400 I/M. Daniel took 4^th in the Senior and 1^st in the Junior, a very well deserved Trophy for a display of guts competing against older men. Daniel also took silver and 5^th in the 200 I/M and with medals in the 50, 100 and 200 breast, and 3^rd and 4^th in the 50 and 100 fly it was a very impressive performance for this ever improving young man.

Stephen Dawkins had to wait until his very last race before picking up his first ever gold and with it a Trophy in the 200 Breast. What was so amazing about Stephen’s gold was that prior to this Stephen had swum a total of 16 races in heats and finals and picked up medals in every event.