Corsham B's Encouraging Start to Summer Season

It seems such a short time since victory in the final round of the winter league and here we were at the start of another summer league campaign. Having gained promotion to Division 4 last year, Corsham B now face Dolphins C, Melksham and Wroughton, a tough prospect if we are to retain that spot in the league. Unfortunately, Melksham were unable to field a team, so we faced only two teams at Milton Road. Whilst the length of the pool, at 33 yards, is now somewhat bizarre, the grandiose style of these Victorian baths remains a thing of beauty and it isn't difficult to understand why the facility is listed by English Heritage. Anyway, you're not reading this to learn about my fascination with architecture, so on with the swimming report.
The team were, as usual, magnificent. I don't normally harp on about "missing" swimmers, because that tends to detract from those who did swim. However, when you are left with one open boy swimmer, it makes it so hard, not only for James Marygold who persevered so well, but also brings added pressure to the U16 boys, who swam up to fill the gaps. So thanks to Alex Johnson, Rhys James, Joe Ross & Duncan Wilson, who did so well to support James and along the way, pick up several individual and relay wins. The open ladies were slightly better represented with Heather Knight, Bride Meikelreid and Emma Mortimer, who having looked at the length of the pool, confided that offering to do the individual medley, may not have been the best decision she had ever made! She did well, of course. So it was left to the two (we should really have four) U16 swimmers, Olivia Hobden and Hannah Pinsent, to assist the open girls and once again they were brilliant, winning a couple of individual and relay events.
And so to the younger swimmers, who seemed to gain in confidence as the evening wore on. We were fully represented in both the U14s and U12s, so were able to spread the swims around. Swimmers who stood out were Izzy Ledbury,Luke Cotton and Elliott Wilson who gained a win apiece and were influential in the relay races. Also doing so very well in their first Corsham galas were Lucy Adams,, Holly Moxham & Marcus James. But let's not forget the others who whilst they may not have been victorious, played their part in keeping the team spirit going. So well done to Felicity Birkett, Robyn & Charles Brown, Edward Bray, Lucy Cotton, Bobbi & Jake Lang, Hannah Lias, Will Matthews, Callum Pheby, Elizabeth Renahan, and last, but by no means least, Lucy Stanley.
Corsham ended up third on the evening, someway short of Wroughton, but a measly four points behind Swindon Dolphins. Who knows what will happen next week at the Link?
Thanks to poolside help from Penny, Ruth, Carl & Mike, without whom, we would have had to get someone else ! Sorry folks, just my way of getting through the day when the Samaritans are engaged."