Swimming
Jubilant juniors are in fine form

RUGBY Swimming Club finished in a very solid second place when they hosted the first round of the Nuneaton and District Junior League on Saturday.

The evening started with a special presentation for club stalwarts Pam and Barry Rigg. Both are hanging up their clip boards and stop watches after 35-years service as Gala officials, to not only the club, but also district, county, and national associations.

The junior club captains made the presentation and a standing ovation was rightful acknowledgement of their huge contribution.

As a team event, individual successes were limited, with Eve Benison, 11/u girls 50m backstroke, and Ceri House, 9yrs 25m breaststroke, the only top finishers.

This was matched by the girls mixed age 8x1 freestyle, girls u12 freestyle and medley relay teams.

The club did secure a host of second placed finished with many of the boys relays, in all ages gaining valuable points.

The key to doing well in galas is steady accumulation of points, and a few disqualifications did not help Rugby’s cause. But those aside, only twice did Rugby finish outside the top four in any event. Rugby were always trailing a very strong Bilston team but were a clear second ahead of Wellington, Oswestry and Lichfield. Perry Beeches struggled, but did not lack heart, or indeed voice.

Last weekend was the prestigious Rugby Open meet which attracts swimmers from all over the Midlands and provides the opportunity for swimmers to try events and distances they may not have taken part in before.

It led to a superb total of 93 personal bests for Rugby with Eve Benison, Ellen Harrington, David Hepworth and Tom Parker leading the way with six each. They were closely followed by Rhys James, Ollie Whitley and Megan Williams with five each. Eloise Harris, Chloe Rimen, Anna Shepherd and Emily Webb all managed four.

The most impressive personal best came from Adam Wanless who took 1-37 off his 400m freestyle time, with a staggering 6-28.39, a superb performance from a ten-year-old.

Rugby also picked up a hugely impressive 28 medals. Multiple winners were, David Hepworth (2x1st, 1x2nd and a 3rd), Daniel Hartup, (2x1st, 2nd and a 3rd), Anna Shepherd (1st and 2x3rd), Karen Bates (1st 2x2nd 3rd), Thomas Parker (2nd and 2x3rd), Ellen Armeson (2nd and 3rd), Jonny Teasdale (1st), Charlie Beech (2nd), and thirds for Jack Carey, Rhys James x2, Ollie Whitley, Matt Laity, and Jake Smith.

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