Marlborough Friendly Gala - Match Report

On Saturday 19th June a team from the Club travelled to Marlborough to compete in the second of the recent series of Friendly Galas. This had been organised following the Corsham Friendly in April which our fellow clubs enjoyed so much that they requested further events, giving many swimmers new opportunities to swim competitively for the Club.

In writing this report I will start at the end for a change. Before delivering the final score, the announcer from Marlborough complimented all the swimmers, helpers, officials and supporters for a Gala swum in a fantastic atmosphere with everyone cheering their team mates on. Exactly so, and at times it was hard to hear yourself during some very hotly contested races. And what a contest it was! After 10 races Corsham were in 3rd place - just - and after that the lead changed hands every 10 races between Corsham, Marlborough and Mamesbury making for a great competition. The event was decided in the final race of the night, the Girls 15-and-under Freestyle Relay, with such a tight finish that the Judges earned their keep separating the teams. The excitement throughout the evening was tangible and the Corsham Team competed hard in every race to the very end.

The team had some seasoned campaigners but also many younger and less experienced swimmers, many making their debuts for the Club at their first Gala. So there were nerves a-plenty but everyone used the excitement and team spirit to overcome them and swim hard for the team. As such it is very hard to pick out individuals and there were some fine wins during the evening but amongst the highlights were George Matcham and his "Never Give Up" attitude which saw him gain 2 places in the final 5 metres of a race, his brother Leo just swimming consistently at a high standard, Harvey Walton delivering a good swim on his first time out for the Club, and Matt Lines this time having some company in his age group with Chris Day, Calum Pheby and Jamie Orner.

For the girls it must be said that some of the coaching is being listened to as Lucy Stanley executed a superb tumble turn in the 50m freestyle to steal the lead which she never gave up. Katherine McPherson and Safiya Mahmood look to continue the Club's run of good Fly swimmers with really good technical performances, Aisling Bolton-Dowling and Melissa May at their first Gala looked confident and swam hard in good races.

There were many family groups here - the Orners (Kelly, Hayley and Jamie), Leo and George Matcham, Lucy and Jack Stanley, Melissa and Jack May, Charlotte and James McGettigan, with Tom, Bethany and Kara Little. Not to forget the Feirns with CJ delivering in his races with Donna and Jake helping with Team Management. Sibling rivalry was obviously put to one side for the night to cheer each other on.

So a great team performance with the loudest "Oggy, Oggy, Oggy" at the end that I can remember. PBs manifold (to be posted) and a lot of smiles all round.

I must also thank Amanda for managing the team, Donna, Fiona and Jane for organising the swimmers and taking lane-ends, Jake for being Time Keeper, team management and supporter, with Martin and Julia officiating.

Team Lists:

Boys - Leo Matcham, Tom Little, Matt Lines, Chris Day, Calum Pheby, Jamie Orner, Harvey Walton, George Matcham, Luke Cotton, Jack Stanley, Jack May, Mark Edmundson, Chris Feirn, James McGettigan.
Girls - Hayley Orner, Kelly Orner, Alex Moore, Katie Unwin, Amy Kitchener, Katherine McPherson, Ella Scott-Humphris, Charlotte McGettigan, Caitlin Murphy, Lucy Stanley, Shula Scotford, Bathany Little, Melissa May, Aisling Bolton-Dowling, Safiya Mahmood, Katie Jones, Kara Little

Well done to everyone who competed as they all contributed to the Team performance in a exciting Gala.