LAST weekend saw Stratford Shark’s A team compete in the first round of the Nuneaton Junior League at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre in Solihull. Competition was particularly tough as the holiday timing of this gala left the squad somewhat depleted in the younger age groups.

  However it was the experience and talent of the oldest age group competing, the twelve year old girls that shone through on the night to secure first places in their team races together with two individual wins. Dedicated training and hard work under the supervision of chief coach Helen Slatter paid off when Becky Tame had an impressive win in the two lengths breaststroke race followed by a first from Frances Goss in the two lengths freestyle The pair were joined by Lily Russell-Wilks and Lydia Ratcliff in the freestyle relay where they cruised to victory with an unassailable lead. This was repeated again in the medley relay race with Megan Stanley joining Goss, Tame and Russell-Wilks.

  It was reassuring to see the potential of the younger swimmers coming through in particular nine year old Matt Newman who swam superbly to take first place in his freestyle race and second in butterfly. He teamed up with Tiarnon Catton, Jonathon Salmon and Ed Caswell in the under nine freestyle race to secure another first and then a second in the boys medley relay.

  Newcomer Alice Quinn is to be congratulated on a fine swim in the girl’s nine years backstroke where she was pipped at the touch to take second place. Other individual second places were achieved by Ed Caswell in the nine years breaststroke and a strong swim by Ben Lane in the 12 years 2 lengths backstroke saw him finish in second place too.

  Individual thirds were gained by Laura Bryan, girls 10 years two lengths breaststroke; Megan Stanley 12 years two lengths butterfly; Thomas James 11 years two lengths backstroke; Jonathon Salmon in the nine years one length backstroke and Josh Walker 11 years two lengths freestyle. A third place was given to the nine year old girls medley relay team of Alice Quinn, Eleri Williams, Caitlin Stephenson and Charlotte Inns.

  Another two rounds of this competition will take place before July to determine Stratford Sharks position in the junior league.