Arena League – Match Report
SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2019
The A team travelled to Kendal again for the second round of the North West Division 1 league fixture to compete against teams from Hoylake, Prescot, Kendal, Everton and Blackburn Centurions.
Yet again team behaviour on poolside was excellent.
Drawn in Lane 1 this was always going to be a tough match but there were some good performances across all the age groups. Our first win came in event 3 in the girls 9-11 year old age group 50 metre freestyle relay with a ‘pb’ for Assunto Russo. This was followed in event four by a good performance by the 9-11 year old boys in the same event where Rhys Pownall, Seth Gregson and Tom Jepson all swam ‘pbs’ to secure third place.
The 13/under girls put in another strong performance in the medlay with a good win for Ella Blundell, Amelie Elliott, Hannah Morris and Abbie Myers with the boys putting in what looked to be another convincing win but being unfortunate to receive the first of three disqualifications for the team.
When the first set of scores was read out Leyland where in third place with Prescot leading the way followed by Hoylake.
A number of really good individual swims followed with wins for Olivia Ballard (50 metre backstroke), Pia Murray 100 metre butterfly and backstroke), Emily Wade (50 metre butterfly and freestyle), Jack Hepplestone (100 metre butterfly and backstroke), Tom Arkwright (100 metre freestyle) and Ethan Roberts (100 metre freestyle).
Despite some good performances Prescot extended their lead whilst Leyland fought it out with Hoylake for second place.
The final set of relays saw a convincing win for the 13/under boys in the freestyle relay and an exciting final Mens Open freestyle relay with Leyland just being caught on the last length taking a brilliant second place.
When the results were in Leyland had secured a good third place with the final points shown below:
- Prescot 222 points
- Hoylake 202 points
- Leyland Barracudas 197 points
- Kendal 146 points
- Everton 138 points
- Blackburn Centurions 136 points
The team swim again on Saturday 14th December in the third and final round and will be looking to finish in the top 3 in the division to be promoted into the Premier Division. Good luck swimmers!