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Tuesday, 19th May
2008
ESSEX MASTERS 2009 - THE OFFICIAL REPORT
Essex County Open Competition
Congratulations to all
those who competed at this years Essex
Masters County event held at Blackshots on
May 9th. Despite the difficult financial
climate, this year’s event attracted a
bumper crop and many outstanding swims. It
was interesting for me personally not to
swim this year, since I got the chance to
actually go round and talk to competitors
and clubs alike. The balcony at Blackshots
was full and the atmosphere electric as 16
Essex County affiliated clubs and 15 non
Essex clubs competed for honours’ at the
well equipped Blackshots Pool. Results have
now been posted to the ASA and the meet
declared for British rankings.
The Top Male/Female overall championship was
as always well contested. In the women’s
section, former Ladies overall champion
Alyson Fordham
(Romford Town) regained her much coveted
ladies title, holding off a stern challenge
from Witham Dolphins
Hannah Ueckermann.
Katie Higgon
(Harwich) was a deserved third.
Christine Ayers
from Bedford Masters SC and
Christine Victor
from Guildford Ct were the joint best placed
guest swimmer (Non Essex). The two
Christine’s ended the day with 29 points
each. Top 18/24 year woman was
Jane Brumby
from Rochford Town
In the Men’s events
Thomas Enright from Romford Town SC
was crowned Top Overall male with 48 points,
five points ahead of his team mate
Gary Wraight.
Last years Champion
Christopher Morgan from Leyton SC was
a joint third place winner along with the
remarkable Peter Rae
from Rochford Town. Top visiting male was
Steve Braine,
Burgess Hill and Hayward’s Heath SC. Top
18/24 year Man was
Adam Spear from Clacton on Sea SC.
The 50m sprint Freestyle events for men and
women are events I continue to savour each
year and this year did not disappoint. In
the past few years Essex have donated
winner’s trophies for the 18-24 age group.
This year Adam Spear
(Clacton on Sea) won the Men’s 18-24 years
trophy in a time of 26.63 secs over
Daniel Messenger
of Halstead (28.01). In the women’s event,
the sprint queen came from Romford Town,
Suzannah Martin
winning her trophy in a time of 30.52 from
Catherine Lumley
of Witham Dolphins, last years speed queen,
recording a time of 30.83. The 50m events
produced some explosive swimming with
Martin Carl,
who still holds age group records ij the
speed swimming, holding off a determined
challenge from team mate
Martin Lane
(both Romford Town) to crown a superb final
heat of the 50m freestyle the 34 year old
and 38 year old respectively managing times
of 25.37 (Carl) to (25.35) Lane. Real finger
tip stuff. In the Women’s event the fastest
lady in the pool was the remarkable and
talented 53 year old
Alyson Fordham, in a time of 30.15.
In the age group categories, congratulations
go to the following winners Men’s; (ESSEX
ONLY) Len Cochrane,
Romford (80/OV), John
Starr, Romford, 75/79 age group.
Stan Clarke
Romford 70/74, Derek
Gore Chelmsford 65/69.
Jeff Hillier
Waltham Forest 60/64,
Peter Rae Rochford 55/59,
Geoff Baker
Rochford 50/54, Martin
Fenner Romford 45/49,
Paul Norris
Leyton 40/44, Chris
Morgan Leyton 35/39,
Gary Wraight,
Romford 30/34, Matthew
Rickett, Rochford 25/29 and
Adam Spear,
Clacton on Sea 18/24.
The age group winners in the women’s
categories. Our group winners are; (ESSEX
ONLY) Joy Cochrane
Romford 75/79, Valerie
Standage, Colchester 65/69,
Diana Hunt,
Colchester 60/64,
Alyson Fordham, Romford 50/54,
Hannah Ueckermann,
Witham Dolphins 45/49,
Helen Gray, Romford 40/44,
Lara Fenner,
Romford 35/39, Kay
Hamilton, Romford 30/34,
Katie Higgon,
Harwich DP 25/29 and finally
Jane Brumby,
Rochford 18/24.
Many Essex and Eastern records were broken
during the day, too numerous to mention.
However, theses can be found on the websites
eastswimming.org and our own
essexswimming.org site.
Top Club was once again Romford with a
massive 734 points, with the overall points
not including the X Age group. Romford
headed Rochford in second place on 330
points with Colchester third place on 167
points. Top visiting club were UEA Norwich
with 109 points.
Top men’s club was Romford on 421 points,
Rochford were second on 246 points and Bo
Waltham Forest third on 86 points. Top
visiting club was Dorking SC with 75 points.
In the Women’s top team event, Romford were
crowned champions with 313 points.
Colchester were second on 92 points, just 8
points separated them in their tussle with
Rochford, who were third this year. UEA
Norwich was top visiting female club
amassing 88 points in total.
There were 31 teams competing and the level
of competition made for another pulsating
days entertainment from all.
In the Relay events, 56 teams took part,
producing marvelous team races on the day.
Romford led the way with 14 success’
Rochford 2. Colchester winning the Women’s
200+ Freestyle and Medley events.
A special thank you must go to our visiting
club swimmers who provided swims from 15 non
Essex clubs. Many thanks to all our visitors
and we hope you enjoyed the day. Also to our
disabled athletes who competed at our event.
Your taking part always enhances our
championships and we salute you.
The County would like to thank Thurrock
Swimming club (especially Gerry, Julie,
Larraine, Tim, June, Phil, Lisa, Hope, Tilly,
Georgia, Lyndsey, Rebecca and loads more!)
for all their efforts over the weeks leading
to the event and on the day, plus a special
thank you to Derek Coster for his
announcing, (at about 5 mins notice) From my
side I would like to thank the Essex ASA
committee members who helped on the day
(Neil, Kay, Fred, Norman and Heather) and
its tirelessly committed officials and
helpers for seeing me and you all through
what was a fantastic days swimming.
Best regards to all
with thanks for all your continued support
Paul Hayes
Essex County ASA Masters Manager
Essex ASA President Elect. |
