Cirencester Swimming Club

Cotswold League Series

CIRENCESTER Swimming Club got off to a winning start in the first of four qualifying galas in the Cotswold League Series.

The league consists of 20 clubs from across the Cotswolds and West Country region with the top clubs battling it out at the final in April.

Held at Bristol Henleaze on Saturday, the clubs included the hosts as well as Cwmbran, Lydney and Cirencester.

A total of 33 personal bests and 22 first places were recorded for Cirencester.

Abigail Maggs started the gala with a PB in the 15/U Individual Medley. It was a tightly-fought battle throughout mostly between Cirencester and Bristol Henleaze with Ciren's impressive finishing skills edging ahead.

Ella Kempster won the 13/U 50m breaststroke with a new PB and helped the relay team of Scarlett Knight, Jessica Kenny and Erika Mawer to a win in the 13/U freestyle relay.

Henry Broadley was nominated as Top Paddler of the night, having made his debut for Cirencester, showing enthusiasm and determination in all his races.

He was part of the winning 13/U Medley team including Ollie Hodgson, Joshua Maggs and Ben Grinnell.

Ben's older brother Marcus delivered an impressive PB in the 15/U 50m fly and swam in the winning freestyle relay team along with Aaron White, Luke Buck (PB) and Danny Collins before finishing the night with another PB in the Open freestyle team.

Other wins were secured by Joshua Maggs (13/U 50m Breaststroke); Zena Preece-Smith, Amy Sillars, Jessica Hussey and Maria Smith (11/U Medley Relay); Henry Broadley, Samuel Kempster, Joe Gray and Barney Russell (11/U Medley Relay); David Ward (Open 100m Backstroke); Joshua Maggs (13/U 50m Freestyle – PB); Lucy Blacker (PB), Abigail Maggs, Jessica Kenny and Ella Kempster (15/U Medley Relay); Amy Sillars (11/U Backstroke – PB); Ben Grinnell (13/U 50m Fly); Aaron White (50m Freestyle – PB); Charlotte Pearce (Open 100m Breaststroke); Samuel Kempster (11/U Breaststroke); Ollie Hodgson (13/U 50m Backstroke); Charlotte Pearce, Tilly Boyle, Scarlett Knight and Holly Sillars (Open Freestyle Relay).

The overall victory gives the Ciren swimmers great confidence as they look forward to the next round at Backwell on February.