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Arena Final Round - 20-12-2009
SEVENOAKS A TEAM WIN PROMOTION TO PREMIER DIVISION Sevenoaks A Team stormed to a sensational victory in Maidstone on Saturday night, winning the final round of the National Arena Swimming League competition to ensure they finished top of Division One with promotion to the Premier Division for next season. The weekend saw Sevenoaks field two teams in the competition, with the B team competing at home in Division Two. With eighteen teams in each division, this third gala is seeded as the clubs fight for promotion. Sevenoaks A team had qualified as one of the top six team in Division One going into this final seeded round, and expected the competition to be tough. However, the team established a lead early on in the programme which they never lost. While impressive victories from Joe Choong, Natasha Hickey, Xander Alari-Williams, Charlotte Coxon, Caroline Gloyne, Emily Cast, Sarah Hickey, Ben Earle and Angus Wyatt confirmed Sevenoaks’ dominance, in reality most individual swimmers achieved top three places. The victory was sealed with commanding performances in the men’s and women’s final squadron relay events with the women’s event won by nearly half a length. Club coaches Julian Metcalf and Jo King were delighted with their swimmers’ performances on the night. ‘All swimmers were totally committed from the start,’ Metcalf enthused. ‘ It was a great team performance in which everyone played a key part. To be competing in the Premier Division against the strongest teams nationally next season will be fantastic!’ Sevenoaks B team finished in fourth place in Division Two this weekend, racing at home in Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, and narrowly missing out on third by just two points.
Despite a number of swimmers’ absence through illness, there were some great performances, notably by vice-captain Holly Miles and Elliott Neale, in the Open 100m freestyle. 12 year old Emily Lobley swam a magnificent 100m breaststroke, beating the next 13/u girl by a massive 5 seconds.
The relay teams had a number of good 2nd places including Girls and Boys 13 and under and the girls’ 15 and under. In their final squadron relays, the B team claimed second place in the girls and third in the men’s event.
B team coaches Vince Norris and Ann Walkley were clearly pleased with the result. Coach Norris commented, ‘The swimmers should feel proud there were so many personal best times achieved. Team spirit was excellent and the Sevenoaks leisure Centre resounded with the cheering’.
Final results: Division One Top Six teams: Sevenoaks 208, Orpington 190, Chelmsford 170, Dover 162, Epson 155, East Grinstead 155. Sevenoaks A declared winner of Division One. Division Two results: Black Lion B: 160, Eltham Stingrays 154, Hytha Aqua 148, Sevenoaks B 142, Ashford Town 139. more news articles... |  NoticeboardSunday, 5th Feb Training: The Sennocke Centre is open so all training is on, although there is no dry land session for Silver There will be no swimming at Combe Bank on Monday 13th Feb due to half term.  |
