Go Back

24 young Killerwhales went to Bishop Stortford Swimming Clubs “Bonne Sante Challenge” to compete against the host clubs two teams and swimmers from Hoddesdon and Hertford Swimming Clubs. The format was for each club to provide swimmers in 50m races over the four disciplines (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle) plus freestyle and medley relays in 3 different age groups of 10yrs, 11yrs and 12yrs and additionally there were relays for 9 year olds. The winner of each race took six points, second five points and so on, however swimmers would be disqualified not just for incorrect and faulty technique but also for being too fast as this event was a true ‘novice’ gala.

All of the Killerwhale swimmers tried their hardest, unfortunately a few disqualifications as well as not being able to compete in the four 9 year old relay races took its toll on the final position with the team finishing a creditable fourth, extra consolation can be taken from the fact that 4 of the 8 swimmers disqualified were too quick.

The girls 10 year age group were represented by 5 young ladies of which some are only 9 years old. Molly Sparks was just too good in her backstroke finishing third but too quick, Cassie Beadel was second in her breaststroke event, Annabelle Jolly posted a very good time for the extremely difficult butterfly but was disqualified for her leg kick, Rae Clifton managed a fine 3^rd in the freestyle. The same four girls swam to fifth position in the 4x1 length medley relay, in the 4x1 length freestyle Rosie Bains replaced Cassie and helped the girls to fourth place.

There were four boys in the 10 year old races. George Crow managed two very good second places in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle. Lewis Bruniges and William O’Farrell both managed good times in their respective butterfly and breaststroke races but were both disqualified for faulty strokes. The lads were joined by James Bleach for the relay races which saw them finish a fine 3^rd in the medley and fifth in the freestyle.

Roxanne Orwell was a winner for the 11year old girls in the 50m freestyle with a very stylish performance. Georgia Beadel managed two good lengths of backstroke to finish second, Christina Stenson took third in the breaststroke and Molly Scott 4^th in the 50m butterfly. The same four combined well in the medley relay to take second and finished fourth in the freestyle relay.

The 11year old boys quartet of James O’Farrell, Laurence Halsey, Tom Skinsgley and Tom Webb were all in fine form. The lads won their 4x1 length medley relay and were second in the freestyle relay. Tom Skinsgley swam very well in his two lengths of freestyle for second however the other three lads were all just too good, James (backstroke) Laurence (breaststroke) and Tom (butterfly) all won their events but were just too quick and disqualified.

Grace Jolly, Jemma Shall and Kate Dampster were joined by Molly Scott and Christina Stenson to complete the 12 year old girls events. Grace took first place in her 50m backstroke event, Jemma took third place in her two lengths of freestyle, Kate was fourth in her 50m breaststroke and Molly was fifth in her 50m butterfly. The same four competed in the medley relay and finished fifth. Christina replaced Molly for the freestyle and brought the girls home to third place.

The 12 year old boys were represented by Laurence Greenway, Michael Walsh, Sam Sparks and Louis Hale. The boys swam very well to finish in third place in the freestyle relay event and even better to take second in the medley relay. Louis Hale was unfortunately disqualified in his two lengths of freestyle. Laurence Greenway did well to finish third in his 50m backstroke, Sam went slightly better to finish second in his two lengths of butterfly and Michael went even better to take first place in his 50m breaststroke.

A great nights entertainment  was capped with the final race the mixed 8x1 length cannon relay where a boy and girl from each age group of 9, 10, 11 and 12 race. Molly Sparks, William O’Farrell, Annabelle Jolly, Lewis Bruniges, Molly Scott, Tom Web, Christina Stenson and Laurence Greenway swam like demons and were cheered all the way home to fourth place.