Cirencester swimmers produce splendid results at Trowbridge (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester swimmers produce splendid results at Trowbridge

CIRENCESTER Swimming Club's visit to Trowbridge on Saturday, November 8, for round two of the Speedo League saw them producing some splendid results.

Since their promotion to Division Two, Cirencester have faced strong competition but were feeling encouraged by their first round win.

Saturday's opponents comprised teams from four different counties - Chard, Newton Abbott, Paignton, Melksham and old rivals from the Cotswold League, Bristol Henleaze.

Cirencester started the evening in good form over the first ten events which brought excellent wins for the girls' U11s freestyle relay team of Christina Shelley, Jess Barry, Georgina Holder and Fabienne Collett and the girls' U15s freestyle relay team of Eve Barry, Helen Soutter, Jenny Webster and Fabienne Collett.

After ten events, the squad were placed equal second with Chard on 39 points and Bristol Henleaze just ahead on 40 points.

Jess Barry produced an impressive first place in the girls' U11s 50m backstroke which was followed by a win for Karl Collett in the boys' U13s 50m breast-stroke.

But in spite of other good efforts in the individual races, Cirencester had slipped to fourth place on 67 points after 18 events.

Nonetheless, Fabienne Collett destroyed the opposition in her U11s 50m butterfly and, not to be outdone, Dan Beebee did likewise in the boys' equivalent event.

Hardly pausing for breath, Fabienne performed three events later in the girls' U15s butterfly where she achieved an excellent win in an event two age groups above her own.

When Luke Pinnegar replied with his first win in the boys' U15s butterfly, Cirencester swooped back to second place after 26 events on 102 points to Bristol Henleaze's 103.

The stronger youngsters achieved wins in the girls' and boys' U11s Breaststroke events with Fabienne and Dan at it again.

And after 34 events, Cirencester had edged into the lead on 136 points ahead of Newton Abbott who were putting in a late challenge on 132 and Chard with 131.

Next eight events produced another win for Jess Barry in the girls' U11s freestyle, but the team had dropped to third on 160 behind Newton Abbot 170 and Chard 167.

The girls' U11s medley relay team of Jess Barry, Georgina Holder, Fabienne Collett and Christina Shelley dominated their race.

Likewise, the Girls' U15s Medley Relay of Jenny Webster, Helen Soutter, Fabienne Collett and Eve Barry.

With magnificent displays by the whole team, which produced lots of exciting and close finishes, and much encouragement from supporters, Cirencester held on to third place to gain them a place in the final top eight teams on Saturday, December 13.

Final points: Chard 206, Newton Abbott 202, Cirencester 192, Bristol Henleaze 184, Paignton 159, Melksham 101.