THE final couple of months of 2011 saw a busy time for some members from the Masters section of Gainsborough Dolphins. Representing the Club at the ASA National Masters in the international surroundings of Ponds Forge at Sheffield saw both Adam Butters and Mike Keeble compete against the fastest swimmers in the country. In the 60-64 year age group, 60 year old Mike suffered a torrid build up with illness and injury, put in two excellent swims to secure fifth and sixth places in the 50m and 100m backstroke respectively. At the other end of the age spectrum 25 year old Adam registered some respectable times as he found in tough going in a very competitive 25-29 years age group. Despite this he recorded 13th place in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke with 16th in the 50m backstroke and 21st in the 50m butterfly. Adam was also in action at Derby in the Etwall Eagles Masters open meet. This event was doubled up with the Derbyshire County Masters championships which saw a high level of competition with swimmers from 39 different clubs. In the 25-29 years he secured a hat-trick of second places in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and 100m Individual Medley (I/M) with fifth in the 50m freestyle. In the 18-24 years 22 year old Emily Wright had an outstanding day as she won the 50m and 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly with second place in the 100m I/M. She also finished third in the 50m and 100m freestyle with fourth in the 50m backstroke. Competing in their first Masters event for the Gainsborough Club were 33 year old Leanne Clover and 41 year old Geoff Huddart. Leanne just missed out on the top three as she produced a fine swim to finish fourth in the 25m freestyle whilst Geoff won the 40-44 years 25m backstroke with fifth in the 25m butterfly and sixth in both the 25m and 50m freestyle. In the 35-39 years Dolphins had two representatives in Chris Webster (39) and Nic Clover (37). The former secured four top six finishes as he won the 25m breaststroke, finishing second in the 25m butterfly, fourth in the 50m butterfly and sixth in the 100m I/M. Masters team manager Nic also claimed four top six places as he won the 100m breaststroke with third in the 100m freestyle, fourth in the 50m freestyle and fifth in the 50m breaststroke. The male quartet teamed up to compete in the combined age group 120+ freestyle and I/M relays as they recorded fourth place in both. Six swimmers returned to Ponds Forge in early December in the South Yorkshire Masters. Outstanding again was Emily Wright and she claimed two second places in the 50m butterfly and breaststroke with third in the 50m freestyle and 100m breaststroke and fifth in the 400m freestyle. Competing for the first time at this arena proved no fear for 24 year old Ian Hansford in the 18-24 years as he finished second on the 100m breaststroke, third in the 50m breaststroke and seventh in the 50m freestyle. An unfortunate disqualification in the 100m freestyle for a false start denied him of another top six placing. 47 year old Jari Goddard put in two gritty performances to claim third in both the 45-49 years 50m freestyle and butterfly whilst 39 year old Steve Morris recorded sixth place in the 35-39 years 50m and 100m breaststroke. The same age group saw Chris Webster finish second in the 50m backstroke with fourth and sixth respectively in the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle events. In the 30-34 years freestyle specialist James Lugg entered all four events securing two third places in the 200m and 400m with seventh in the 100m and eighth in the 50m. 2012 is expected to bring some more exciting times for this section of the Club with some transferring their skills to open water competition amongst the many planned events in the pool. The Club is looking to boost its competitive Masters section asking any ex-swimmers interested in getting back in the water to come along in the New Year. For more details on the Club please visit www.gainsboroughdolphins.co.uk.
