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TOM'S OKAY AT OJAYS
Tom Skingsley and his team-mates performed superbly at Orpington O'Jays SC Novice Gala Killerwhales

Tom Skingsley was in superb form at Orpington Ojays SC Novices Challenge 2006 where he took six medals from his six races. His team-mates were not too far behind his mark as the new crop of Killerwhales talent showed their ability.

Tom competing in the boys 12 years section was entered for 4 individual races and two relay races and never finished outside of the bronze medal position. In his four individual events he took gold in the butterfly, silver in both the backstroke and breaststroke and bronze in the freestyle. He was joined by Sam Sparks, Aiden Robinson and George Crow for the boys 12/under 4 x 1 length Medley relay, the quartet secured silver medal. The four were then joined by Sean Houlihan and Alex Merchan for the 6x1 length Squadron Relay and again managed to take a well deserved silver medal.

Sam Sparks competing alongside Skingsley in the 12 year section was equally impressive taking silver in the butterfly, bronze in the breaststroke and 6^th place in the freestyle. In the 11 year section both George Crow and Sean Houlihan added to the relay medals with George taking bronze and Sean 4^th place in the backstroke final, Sean also went on to compete in the breaststroke final finishing in 5^th place. Youngsters Aiden Robinson and Alex Merchan were in the boys 10 year section, Aiden would have had a complete set of medals had in not been for disqualification in the butterfly, after qualifying well for the other three finals he went home clutching two 4^th place medals in the freestyle and backstroke and 5^th place in the breaststroke. Alex Merchan would have taken home 3 medals had there been an award for biggest smile, along with his relay silver he took home 4^th place for an excellent butterfly swim.

The girls also had success in their races, Molly Scott and Georgia Beadel were first and second in qualifying for the 12 year breaststroke final and after an even start Molly pulled away from the field to take gold Georgia battled all the way and with the last few strokes secured silver. Annabelle Jolly was sixth fastest for the 11 years breaststroke final but her determination in the final proved a decisive factor as she went quicker than two other girls to finish in 4^th place. Young Cassie Beadel was third fastest for her breaststroke final, after a slow start she moved through the field and with a last gasp effort moved ahead of the third placed to take the bronze medal. Molly Scott also qualified for the final of the freestyle where she finished fractionally behind 5^th in 6^th place.

Georgia and Molly then combined with Annabelle Jolly and 9 year old Molly Sparks in the 12/under 4x1 length medley relay, they qualified for the final in 4^th place. In the final Annabelle set off on the backstroke to handover to Molly Scott a storming breaststroke leg saw Georgia enter the fly leg just behind the leaders but with 3^rd place right on their heels, Georgia couldn’t hold on for the fly leg and were being challenged for 3^rd place, Molly Sparks entered the water just length ahead of the 4^th placed team, she managed to match the pace of her rival to bring the team home for a fine bronze medal. The four were joined by Sophie Doyle and Danielle Butterworth for the 12/u 6x1 length squadron relay. In their heat they matched a strong Beckenham Team all the way to finish second fastest for the final, however their joy was short lived because an eagle eyed judge had spotted an infringement on a takeover and were disqualified. Killerwhales were blessed a depth in female talent and able to field another team in the squadron relay, the six Ashley James, Sophie Congdon, Katie Butler, Alison Congdon, Rosie Baines and Cassie Beadel all swam like demons to qualify 5^th fastest. In the final the girls battled all the way with Bromley and held on gamely to take 5^th place.

Well done to all the Killerwhales swimmers many of whom were competing in their first ever inter-club gala.

see results sheet