It was a hectic weekend for Clevedon swimmers on 9th & 10th September. The action kicked off on Saturday evening with a friendly gala at Horfield Leisure Centre in Bristol that saw Clevedon ASC lined up against some top class opposition. Premier Division Keynsham fielded many of their elite squad, some of whom have competed for England! It came as a shock that Clevedon remained in contention with them for so long, being only 3 points behind them at halfway. Stroud excelled themselves with a comprehensive victory and Bristol Henleaze also put in a performance that belied their Speedo League division. Clevedon were extremely satisfied with their 4th place and the experience taken out of a fabulous night's racing. Final points and positions were:

Stroud (Div1) 235
Henleaze (Div2) 201
Keynsham (Prem) 199
Clevedon (Div2) 170
Pontypool (Div2) 138
Bristol Central (Div2) 99

Elliott Poulter, Matt Bray (2) and Amber Summerell won individual races and Elliot Poulter, Ben Horner Matt Bray and Christopher Warren were victorious in relays.

Steve Bowen, Matt Bray (2), Sophie Hicks, Ellena Ibal, Suzannah King (2), Laura Neal, Ryan Neath, Elliot Poulter, Harry Thornton, Patrick Trower, Liam Wakefield and Elizabeth Warnes achieved new PB's on the night.

On Sunday, the excitement commenced with Steve Bowen (Open Men) and Amber Summerell (Girls 13 & Under) setting new Championship Best Times in the Club Championship 200m Breaststroke. This event was held as a curtain raiser to a Mini Series Gala that Clevedon hosted at Strode Road Leisure Centre. Following the pattern for this year's Mini Series, Clevedon romped away with this gala and lead from start to finish.

Clevedon 269
Bristol Central 222
Bishopsworth 186
Bristol Penguins 172
Bristol North 159

Individual winners were: Amber Summerell (2), Stef Reynolds, Tom Jones (2), Kelsey Khardine, Elliot Poulter, Lee Hicks, Laura Neal, Callum Greenwood, Danielle Appleford, Suzannah King, Ben Horner, India Thomas, Heather Jones, Liam Wakefield and Matt Bray. Relay squad winners included: Abi Sudol, Kelsey Khardine, Iona Thomas, Sabrina Wakefield, Patrick Riddell (2), William Mathias (2), Guy Prideaux (2), Callum Greenwood (2), Lee Hicks (2), Elliot Poulter, Ben Horner (2), Jared Overton (2), Rebecca Parsons (2), Amber Summerell (2), India Thomas (2), Sophie Feboul (2), Patrick Trower (2), Liam Wakefield, George Harris (2), Matthew Ford, Andrew Payne (2), Tom Jones (2), Matt Bray (2), Laura Neal, Stef Reynolds, Heather Jones, Ruby Lynch, Aaran Thomas and the Canon team!

The following beat their PB's - Danielle Appleford, Matthew Bray, Bethan Clark, Sophie Feboul, Callum Greenwood, Lee Hicks, Ben Horner, Heather Jones, Tom Jones, William Mathias, Andrew Payne, Abi Sudol, Amber Summerell (2), Patrick Trower and Sabrina Wakefield.

Paddy Trower was named Star Swimmer and only some careless disqualifications let down a terrific performance, but kept the result from being too embarrassing.

Meanwhile, over in Gloucester, some of the most senior members of the club had trundled their Zimmer frames to Gloucester for the Somerset and Gloucestershire Masters County Championships and what a day they had! Nick Flower won 3 Gold medals and two Silvers to finish up as overall Male Masters Champion! Lisa Hutchinson was supreme in the Ladies section with 3 Golds, 3 Silvers and 2 Bronze Medals. Holly Burlton showed all her old class with 2 Golds and 2 Bronzes. North Somerset Community Coach, Rachael Aldington, put down her clipboard for long enough to bag 2 Gold medals in her favourite Breaststroke events. A special mention must go to former stalwart Becci Carson. She went along to watch and somehow managed to post the fastest time in the 100m I.M. Becci, together with Sam Lasson guesting from Backwell Swimming Club, combined with the Lisa and Nick to put together a relay team that took Gold in both Freestyle and Medley Relays.
Overall a very eventful and successful weekend.

The photo is from the Somerset and Gloucestershire Masters and shows from left to right : Nick Flower,
Becci Carson, Lisa Hutchinson, Holly Burlton and Backwell's Sam Lesson with their medal hauls.

Graham Feboul
Press Officer