Swimmers in second

Members of Newark Swimming Club battled to second place in the final round of the Notts ASA Stage Two Gala at Hucknall.

Ruth Money started off with a win in the 200m individual medley, closely followed by a win from the ever-reliable ten- and-under girls’ relay.

Both the boys’ and girls’ open relay teams went on to record first-place finishes in the 4x50m medley relays before the next individual win came courtesy of Georgie Proctor, who won the girls’ ten-and-under 50m freestyle, smashing her own personal best and club record by more than a second.

Other winners were Laura Cundy in the girls’ 11/12 years 50m breaststroke, Will Ballard in the open 50m fly, Olivia Mathias in the 13/14 50m fly, Simon Wathen in the open 50m backstroke, Sophie Trickett in the ten years 50m breaststroke, Jacob Carrington in the 11/12 50m fly and a second win for Money in the 13/14 50m free.

Newark was in pole position with a third of the racing to go, but their lead slipped as they went eight races without a notable result until Olivia Mathias got the team back on track with a win in the 13/14 years 50m breaststroke, quickly followed by Money coming home with her third win in the open 50m freestyle.

Two wins in the final seven relay races was not enough for Newark as they dropped to second behind Sutton Swimming Club, but eight personal bests, including a 50m freestyle club record from Proctor, and 16 wins meant it was a positive night for Newark youngsters.

Five members competed in the Long Course Midland ASA Championships at Coventry.

Swimming under the guise of Nova Centurion, part of the Nottinghamshire county squad, Ben Palmer picked up two silver medals in the 4x200m freestyle relay 4x100m medley teams.

He added a bronze in the 4x100m relay to finish 17th in his age group overall.

Olivia Mathias, Ruth Money, Georgie Proctor and Sophie Trickett also took part.