STRATFORD SHARKS sponsored by Sitel took two teams of swimmers to Rugby on Saturday to compete in round one of the Mercian Summer League. Out of a 50-race programme the Stratford Club had a total of eight wins and 16 second places with numerous swimmers recording personal best times. Individual wins came from David Jolly in the 14years 100m backstroke; Lily Russell-Wilks in the 12years 50m butterfly; Fay Malling in the open 100m breaststroke; Fran Cassidy-Morris in the 14years 100m breaststroke and one of the youngest swimmers Josh Walker showed his form to take first place in the boys 10years 50m breaststroke.

  It was a double success for the 14 years girls relay team who picked up first place in both the freestyle and medley relays. The winning teams consisted of Grace Wright; Caroline Cardwell and Fran Cassidy-Morris with 11 year olds Lydia Ratcliff swimming in the medley team and Lily Russell-Wilks in the freestyle team. Showing great potential for the future was the boys 10 year old medley relay team; Thomas James; Harry Frankland; Ben Lane and Jacob Humphreys who romped to victory in their event.

  Several swimmers were just pipped at the touch to take second place in the individual 100m swims. The host of fine performances came from Helen Livesey in the ladies open individual medley and the butterfly; Emily Turoczy in the 14years breaststroke ; and Caroline Cardwell in backstroke. Sophie Burley swam superbly in the freestyle as did Rebecca Tame in breaststroke and Georgina Mackay in backstroke. Katie Cardwell also came second in the 50m butterfly. For the boys Ben Lane swam well for a second place in the 10 years 50m backstroke as did Harry Frankland in the 50m breaststroke and Aaron Brough in the boys 12 year old 50m butterfly.

  The relay teams recorded a number of second places including the girls t12 year-old medley and freestyle teams and the Ladies Open teams which consisted of Katie Pavel; Helen Livesey; Fay Malling; Charli Cassidy-Morris and Caroline Cardwell. Ten year-old Christine Wallace must be congratulated for two fine individual swims in the 50m freestyle and butterfly. Her grit and determination earned the club two third places. Eleanor Hardiman recorded a personal best time in her 100m breaststroke and shows great potential along with team mates Eleanor Blacklock, Zoe Palmer and Carla Neiss.

  The boys recorded numerous personal bests notably from Elliot Smith in the mens open individual medley and Aaron Robinson who came third in the mens 100m breaststroke together with others from Julian Wallace; Sam Tredgold; Archie Chapman; Josh Newman; Dan and Matt Williams; Alex Titcomb; James Page; Jacob Humphreys and Ben Brough. Team spirit was evident on the night and the two Stratford teams earned a commendable third and fifth place respectively.