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Dolphins’ class act in defence of title
BOURNEMOUTH Dolphins' youngsters were in a class of their own as they began the defence of their Southern Junior League title at Littledown.
The nine to 12-year-olds won 34 of the 49 events in their first round gala and were second in another 10.
Their opposition was not the strongest and coaches Graham Bassi and Sam Woodward took the opportunity to experiment with team selections.
"We looked at quite a few swimmers and give them a race to see what they could do," said head coach Bassi.
"Selection is going to be very difficult for the next two rounds - but that's good."
Assistant coach Woodward added: "It's a pity we didn't have stronger opposition but I'm sure that will change in the next round."
The biggest threat to Dolphins' league title is likely to come from the powerful new SX3 squad, formed by the merger of Swindon Dolphins, Tigersharks, Swindon ASC and Wroughton.
"If we went head-to-head against them right now, it would be dead level," said Bassi.
Rachel Hawkins, Ryan McCormack and Sophie Cooke were all individual double winners for Dolphins.
Hawkins won the 11/u 50m backstroke and butterly (37.67 and 36.92), McCormack the 10yrs 50m butterfly and freestyle (40.09 and 32.92) and Cooke the 11/u 50m freestyle and breaststroke (33.77 and 42.70).
Other individual winners: 9yrs Jasmine Holmes and Tom Kingham 25m freestyle, Bradley Currie 50m back, Matt Allen 25m fly. 10yrs Beth Folland and Jake Meaden 50m back, Amber Wells 50m fly, Oscar Esposti 50m free. 11/u James Seddon 50m back, Jack Burton 50m breast. 12/u Sam Bush 50m fly, Amelia Maughan 50m free, Olivia Esposti 50m breast, Courtney Rowan and Harry Thorpe 50m back.
Dolphins also won 13 of the 17 relays.
Result (adjusted as for six teams): Bournemouth Dolphins 259, Bradford-on-Avon 184, Chard 175, Dawlish 164, Wells & Shepton Mallet 71.
Ferndown Otters faced a closer contest at Keynsham, where the home club clawed their way back into contention in the last block of relays.
But Otters - eight times league champions and runners-up to Dolphins last year - hung on to win by 12 points.
Their results included 38 race wins, including 10 in relays.
Todd Price led the scoring with three individual wins in two age groups, taking the 50m butterfly and freestyle in his own 11/u category and stepping up for another victory in the 12/u butterfly.
Individual double winners were Spencer Wilks in the 9yrs 25m freestyle and breaststroke, Christy Cole in the 10yrs 50m breaststroke and butterfly, Alan Wong in the 10/u 50m butterfly and freestyle and Harriet Higgins in the 10/u 50m backstroke and freestyle.
Other individual winners: 9yrs Thomas Jacobs 25m back, Alex Price 25m fly. 10yrs Daniel Bliss 50m breast, Harvey Trehane 50m back. 11/u Luke Horton 50m back, Lucy Kirkham 50m free, Noah Vides 50m breast.
Result: Ferndown Otters 237, Keynsham 225, Thornbury 188, Trowbridge 163, SX3 Swindon B 116, Weymouth 83.
KIERAN LEADS THE WAY
NINE-year-old Kieran Olenicz led the scoring as Poole claimed second place in their opening Southern Junior League gala at Bridport.
He won the 9yrs 25m freestyle in 16.64 and 25m backstroke in 20.70 and led off a winning 9yrs boys' freestyle team which also included Rhys Barton, Harri Moore and Kieran Butlin.
Other individual winners were Benjamin Montgomery in the 10yrs 50m backstroke, Sophie Haesler-Pearce in the 12/u 50m freestyle, Alisha McKirdy in the 9yrs 25m backstroke, Daniel Monk in the 11/u 50m freestyle and Rochelle Stott in the 11/u 50m breaststroke.
Poole also won seven relays.
Result: West Dorset Warriors 200, Poole 167, Newport 135, Clayesmore 112, Frome 93.
4:03pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008
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