Saturday nights gala at Five Rivers was a huge success as Salisbury swam out of their skins to claim a win in the opening round of the Winter league.
The results across the whole Winter League are now in, and Stingrays are placed 2nd in County, behind Tigersharks, but ahead of everyone else - a moment to savour!
The Stingrays were made up with the rising stars of the squad swimmers and the experience of the Masters swimmers; Nell Walker, Bob Pearce and Harriet Lerwill. Salisbury got things rolling with Salisbury's first win in the boys 100 meter front crawl relay. Stephanie Crews, Gabby Pountney, Gemma Currie & Charlie Osman grabbed a 1st place finish in the girls under 15 100 metre relay, as did Adam Davidson, Will Bray, Callum Bailey & Alex Copp in the boys event.
Salisbury notched up two more wins in the boys under 15 100 metres front crawl relay & the Girls 100 metre back stroke squadron. Salisbury's momentum gained with 10 wins in the final 20 races. Katy Neale, Gabby Pountney, Katherine Evans & Hannah Drewett came up trumps with a win the girls under 17 breast stroke relay, that was followed up with a win from Joe Orrit, Will Crews, Tom Read & Sam Pountney in the boys event. With Freya Bailey, Gabby Pountney, Katy Neale & Hannah Drewett in the girls and Jordan Neale, Will Bray, Sam Pountney & Bob Pearce in the boys, the 100 metre breast stroke squadron teams performed well.
The boys under 17 100 metre relay helped Salisbury's cause with another win as did the girls open (age group) 200 metereback stroke relay. A second double age group win came in the girls & boys under 15 100 metre breast stroke relay. Gemma Currie, Alice Jordon, Charlie Osman & Gabby Pountney hit success in the girls event followed by Adam Davidson, Alex Copp Callum Bailey & will Bray in the boys. Salisbury's Final win of the evening came in the 200 metere mixed Cannon race, where a girl & boy from each age bracket takes part. Louise Davidson, Sam Greenslade, Gemma Currie, Harriet Lerwill, Adam Davidson, Hannah Drewett, Joe Orrit and Captain Phil Muspratt finished off well in a enthralling final race.
Salisbury Stingrays finished on 238 points followed by Trowbridge & Swindon Dolphins 'A' on 219 & 209 apiece. Other teams competing were Melksham, Marlborough, Wroughton & Swindon Tigersharks 'B'. Salisbury's win hugely highlighted the Stingrays progress over the past year, bearing in mind they finished 5th in last years Wiltshire Winter League final. It was a fantastic night where Salisbury showed they are more than capable at competing against Wiltshire's swimming 'powerhouses' Trowbridge and Swindon Dolphins. A massive well done to all who took part.
In other news Hannah Drewett, Adam Davidson, Gabby Pountney & Gemma Currie competed in the highly competitive Bath Grand Prix. All reached finals in the events they entered. Our best results came from Adam who in the 100m Freestyle, came 5th and Gabby who came 6th in the 100m Breaststroke."
