A SOLITARY point prevented the newly formed Gainsborough Dolphins the perfect start in their first competitive gala under the new banner last weekend. Competing at Lincoln in the first round of the Lincolnshire League Dolphins had to settle for second place behind East Midland League Champions Lincoln Vulcans SC after a thrilling last race decider. It was a tense close affair all throughout the 48 events with very little in it between the top three finishing clubs with the Gainsborough outfit claiming an incredible 44 top three places. The tone was set from the first event as James Smith, having the honour of the first competitive swimmer for the new club, was just touched out by one tenth at the finish of the Mens Open freestyle. Continuing their success from last year the quartet of Jack Boulton, Henry Cawte, Aarron Smith and Bradley Janney had a near perfect night in the Boys 14/U age group as they won five out of their six events. Victory was gained in both relays and by Jack (freestyle) and Henry (breaststroke) in their individual events whilst Aarron won his butterfly he came second in the backstroke. In the Mens Open David Trickett claimed victory in the breaststroke whilst in the Mens Open medley relay his elder brother Peter swam an immense last leg to hold off the advances of the Vulcans swimmer. This victory was set up with some fine swims from William Cawte, James and Chris Webster whilst the same quartet finished third in the Mens Open freestyle relay. Shannon Conway also had a fine evening as she performed superbly to claim first place in the Girls 10 years backstroke and second in the butterfly. Shannon was joined by Molly Creed, Harriet Webster and Freya Janney to finish second in the Girls 10/U freestyle relay whilst Grace Tooke replaced Freya as the girls claimed another second in the medley relay. Molly and Grace rounded off an excellent night for this age group as they finished second in the freestyle and breaststroke respectively. The Boys equivalent at this age group also had a good night as James Beresford secured victory in the breaststroke and third in the butterfly with Ben Crookes performing magnificently to finish second in both the backstroke and freestyle events. These two were joined by Alex Berry and Dougie Watson for a third place finish in their freestyle relay. In the 12/U age group Charlotte Smith was victorious in the Girls backstroke as was Ewan McKay in the Boys butterfly. Ewan also finished second in the breaststroke as did William Walmsley in the backstroke with the latter also finishing third in the freestyle. Charlotte also came third in her breaststroke and was supported by Loveday Beresford, Lydia Waring and Hollie Watkins for the same result in the freestyle relay with Aysha Simpson replacing Hollie in the medley relay. In the Open age group second places went to William Cawte and Robyn Dand in the backstroke with French swimmer Lucille Boudoux placing second in the butterfly and breaststroke. Harriett Baird also enjoyed second places in the Girls 14/U freestyle and backstroke with Georgia McKay a determined third in the butterfly whilst this pair gained another third place in the medley relay with Heather Cooke and Loveday. Other third places on the night were gained by Megan Stevenson (Girls Open freestyle), David Trickett (Boys Open butterfly), Boys 12/U medley relay of William, Cammron Bower, Ewan and Matthew Overton and both Girls Open relay quartets of Megan, Lucille, Robyn and Ruth Hustwick (freestyle) and Harriett, Lucille, Megan and Robyn (medley). Other fine swims on the night came from Louis Hubner, Cameron Winsborough, Aidan Clover and Lily Blades. The Club would like to thank all officials and volunteers on the night and the swimmers for their magnificent efforts. Final Result – 1st Lincoln Vulcans ‘A’ 179 points; 2nd Gainsborough Dolphins 178; 3rd Grantham 169; 4th City of Lincoln Pentaqua ‘A’ 104; 5th Lincoln Vulcans ‘B’ 66.
