Corsham “B”ow Out with a Smile

The final round of this year's Summer league took place at the Springfield Leisure Centre, with Corsham B facing an impossible task of recovering from two early 4^th places in Division 4. Despite having achieved a 3^rd place in the last round, it was never going to be easy for Corsham B to retain their status and so it turned out. That said, the team can be proud of its achievements this season, with what was a fairly small complement, which was changed as some swimmers became unavailable. Anyway, enough doom and gloom, let’s concentrate on the good stuff as everyone did the club proud.

We had three new swimmers in this round, all of whom swum their utmost and were a credit to the Club. So well done to Lizzy Unwin, Anna Ross and Sam Liddiard. Well done also to recent new team members Josh Terrill and Jack May, both of whom were invaluable additions. Making a welcome return after injury was Libby Forsyth and to finish the youngest age group, Charlotte Burton. Improving all the time were James McGettigan, Jack Liddiard and Aidan Saunders, who competed gamely all evening.

Although the team was last on the night, there were several high spots including two wins for Charlotte McGettigan, two for Michael Edmundson and one for Maddie Moore. There were also some excellent close finishes, including Charlotte Parkers 100 ’fly, Hannah Lias’s 50 breaststroke and Jake Feirn’s 50 ‘fly. My special thanks go to all of those swimmers who have taken part in every round, including Freddie & Oliver Sheratt, Alex Moore & Ollie Little; your contribution has been immense and you have all, one more than one occasion, won your races or been a close second. Thanks also to Hayley & Kelly Orner, who tease me mercilessly but who always give of their best and who remain so loyal to the Club. And if I have done my calculations correctly, that only leaves Melissa May and Nesta Unwin who have not been mentioned. Well done girls, you are the future of the Club.

Swimmers of the gala went to Jake Lang as he not only swam in his age group but had to swim in the relay for the under U14's and then in the very next boys event swim the 50m fly, the girls swimmer went to Izzy Ledbury who also swam in her age group and in the U16's  - congratulations to both of you. Thanks go to new team manager Donna Feirn, who did so well to put together a team at the very last moment, ably assisted (as usual) by Michelle & Russell Warren Fisher. Thanks also to poolside helpers Helene Parker, Rose Ledbury, Fiona Moore, Mike Lang, Derek May and Nigel Unwin, and our officials, Phyllis Nicholls, Rebecca Parker, Dave Jones and Richard Moore.  

So Corsham return to Division 5 next summer, but I am sure the team will benefit from the experience and return to Division 4 the following season.      

Sadly, this was Alan Hall's last gala of the summer league. I am sure you will agree that Alan has done an amazing job and will miss him when he hangs up his poolside trainers later on the year.