Charity Gala Success for Runnymede

Report on the Pat Carlane Trophy Gala 19^th February 2005

Runnymede Swimming Club recently held their annual Pat Carlane Trophy Gala at Runnymede Pool, Thundersley.  The gala is run to raise funds for Cancer Research and also provides a friendly and competitive atmosphere for young swimmers between 9 and 12 years old.  All proceeds from donations, entry money and the raffle go directly to the charity, and were this year boosted by Castle Point Leisure, who kindly donated the use of the pool for free at this year's gala.

Runnymede fielded two teams for the event and were joined by clubs from Braintree & Bocking, Southend-on-Sea, Brentwood and Colchester, and there were good performances from both of the club's teams throughout the gala.  Runnymede 'A' eventually came out on top in a very tight contest to retain the trophy for the 3^rd year running, just ahead of Braintree & Bocking SC and then Brentwood SC.

Rory Geogehan was appearing in his first competitive gala for the club, and he lead the way to two 1^st places in the boys 9yr 25m Breaststroke and Butterfly.  Adam Lamb took his first dip into competitive swimming in the boys 9yr team a pulled off two 2^nd positions in the 25m Backstroke and Freestyle events.  Rory and Adam were joined by Lloyd Burton, Matthew Shelford and Callum Liddell to put in two good swims in the Medley and Freestyle Relay races.  The boys 10yr & under team of Thomas Giles, Daniel Nobes, Ben Jobson and Henry Newton won both 4x1L Medley and Freestyle Relay events, with Ben also taking 1^st in the 25m Butterfly, and Henry winning the 50m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke races.

Patrick Neary swum an excellent race to take the 1^st position in the 12yr & under 50m Breaststroke race, edging out team-mate William Muggleton in the final few metres to make it a Runnymede one-two.  Alice Fraser was making her competitive debut for the team and produced a good all-round performance on the night, with her the best finish a 2^nd position in the 9yr 25m Breaststroke.  Alice was also joined by debutants Abigail Brown, Ellie Wood and Sian Elmy in the relay teams to put in some good performances in the Relays. 

The girls 11yr & under team of Chloe Davis, Jenny Lamb, Laura Humphreys and Amy Barrell were also on form.  The girls won both Medley and Freestyle 4x1L Relay races, with Laura also winning the 50m Butterfly, and Jenny taking 1^st in the 50m Breaststroke.  Chloe chipped in with two 2^nd places for the 50m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle events.

The boys 11yr & under team were equally successful at the gala.  George Smith was 1^st in the 11yr & under and 12yr & under 50m Butterfly events, and also the 11yr & under 50m Breaststroke.  He joined teammates Jonathan Ellis, Thomas Honeysett and Alex Delicata to win the 4x1L Medley and Freestyle Relay races, and also the 12yr & under Freestyle Relay team of Blue Newton, Jack Hudson and William Muggleton to 1^st place in their race.  Jonathan Ellis took a good first position in the 50m Freestyle event for the 11yr team.  Alex took 2^nd position in both 11yr & under and 12yr & under 50m Backstroke events and joined the 12yr & under Relay team to win the Medley Relay race.