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Herts Major League |
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Hoddesdon EELS Finish Third in Herts Major League The team travelled to Potters Bar for the 3rd and final gala in the 2008 Herts Major League. Their aim was to be in the first three of the teams contesting for the top six places in the league. At the start of the gala only 11 points separated 4th placed Hoddesdon from 3rd placed Hemel Hempstead with Hatfield and Bishop Stortford occupying the two top places in the league. From the start it was clear that every point won would be hotly contested by all the teams. The gala started well for Hoddesdon with two fine wins in the first three events. Lucy Charles winning the Open 100m freestyle and Kirstin Meikle winning the girls under 12 50m backstroke. A second place by Paul O Doherty in the boys under 16 100m butterfly kept the team well in contention. Several top three placings followed from Karl Batorski backstroke, Ben Mason freestyle, Lewis Hinkley-Keens butterfly and Josh Arnold under 16 100m backstroke. Another fine win by Lucy Charles in the girls under 16 100m freestyle and a fine second place by Emma Warrington in the girls under 16 100m breaststroke together with a third place from Kirstin Meikle in the girls under 12 50m butterfly helped to keep the tempo of the competition at fever pitch. The girls and boys medley and freestyle relay team events proved exciting with Hoddesdon teams swimming with great team spirit and determination to record many second and third places to keep the Hoddesdon challenge alive. In the final Squadron relay event Hoddesdon assured their position in the top three for the gala with a fine swim from all members of the team. The announcement that Hoddesdon had not only come third in the gala but in doing so had also improved their final league position from 4th place to 3rd place provided a fitting end to a memorable evening. Every member of the team swam brilliantly and provided a valuable contribution in achieving the goal they had set themselves.Team manager Mark Charles, Head Coach Janet Warrington and team coach Michael Kent wish to say a heartfelt well done to everyone who took part in the gala and to the families of swimmers for their continued support and encouragement. Notable achievements. Girl swimmer of the gala. Lucy Charles. Boy swimmer of the gala. Karl Batorski. Individual Personal Best Time achievements: Lucy Charles, Kirstin Meikle, Paul O’ Doherty, Albert Johnson, Harry Burtenshaw, Rebecca Suzan, Lewis-Hinkley Keens. Luke Broughal, Emma Riddick. Individual Club Record under 16 100m butterfly: Paul O’ Doherty Team Relay Club Records: Boys under 16 Medley Relay and Boys under 16 freestyle relay, Josh Arnold, John Ayres, Paul O’ Doherty, Ben Mason. Team Squadron Club Record: Kirstin Meikle, Andrew Goodman, Emma Riddick, Lewis Hinkley- Keens, Holly Gannon, Ben Mason, Lucy Charles, Stuart Clarke. Gala Results: 1st place Hatfield 102 points 2nd place Bishop Stortford 146 points 3rd place Hoddesdon 186 points 4th place Stevenage 196 points 5th place Watford 201 points 6th place Hemel Hempstead 207 points Click here for link to team photo The Team Continue on a High Note in Round 2. Our Squad travelled to Hitchin pool for the Major league second round on Saturday 2nd February. It was a hard fought gala, with first place being contended by Bishop Stortford, Watford and us. There were seven individual event Pb’s and twenty two new relay Pb’s. Yet again our relay teams showed team spirit and scored good points for the club. With mainly top three finishes in all events, we stayed in contention for first place overall. The team deserved the second place in the end acheiving 8 1st places, 17 second places and 12 3rd places and will go to the final gala looking for a top three finish in the final league. Jed Arden secured swimmer of the gala, with a great first place and a new personal best in his 100m breaststroke and some excellent relay swims. Round Three is on 19th April, the venue to be advised. Individual Event Pb’s were achieved by the following swimmers: Jordan Icelli 50m backstroke, Paul O Doherty 100m butterfly, Jed Arden 100m breastroke, Lewis Hinkley -Keens 100m butterfly, Mark Hallam 100m breaststroke, Kirstin Meikle 50m butterfly and Hayley Warrington 50m freestyle. Gala Results: Bishop Stortford 130 points Hoddeson Eels 142 points Watford A 148 points Harpenden 172 points Hertford 209 points Verulon Penquins 241 points Major Start by Hoddesdon SC. Hoddeson Swimming club began their Herts Major League 2008 on Saturday 5th January at Hatfield sports village. After a two week break for Christmas the coaches didn’t know what sort of form the swimmers would be in, as most had only one training session before the gala. The gala was against some tough opponents including Hatfield, Stevenage and Watford. Our first win came from Kirstin Meikle who also achieved a new personal best in her U12 50M backstroke. Another good win came from Ben Mason with a great final length in his U16 100M freestyle. This was followed by a five second personal best by Nicole Tyrrell in her U14 100M butterfly race, later she was awarded girls swimmer of the gala. Mark Saint-Clare swimming on his return to Hoddesdon SC had a great night with two new personal bests and first places in his 100M backstroke and butterfly events. Lucy Charles who was at an East Region training camp rushed to the pool, just in time to win her U16 100m backstroke in a new personal best time. Further PB’s were achieved by Harry Burtenshaw U12 50M breaststroke, Luke Broughal U12 50M butterfly,Thomas Broughal U14 100M freestyle, Imogen Bell U12 50M freestyle and William Yates who took nearly six seconds off his U14 100M backstroke time. The team was very consistent throughout with mainly top three finishes and in the relays proved what a great team spirit they have. There were fifteen new personal best times in the relays and a new club record in the eight person squadron at the end. Rebecca Suzan made both her relay swims count with new personal bests and Hayley Warrington matched that feat in her two swims. Ian Monksfield continued to show the youngsters his loyal commitment, not to mention his now legendary dive. the relays were boosted by the inspirational Captain Stuart Clarke who led home the final squadron to a great second place and this was to be the overall placing for the gala as well. Head Coach Janet Warrington and Coach Mike Kent were very pleased with the efforts and passion displayed by the team to achieve such a good result. Gala Results: Hatfield 73.5 points Hoddesdon 146.5 points Stevenage 158 points Watford 168 points Hertsmere 223 points Verulam 261 points
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