SWIMMING: On-song Blackford leads way in gala (From Witney Gazette)

SWIMMING: On-song Blackford leads way in gala

8:47am Wednesday 8th October 2008 in Sport

Witney took the runners-up slot in the graded gala at Wellingborough.

For many of the younger swimmers, it was their first real taste of competition, and there were plenty of encouraging performances.

Harry Blackford, 13, achieved a personal best in the breaststroke in both his own age group and also in the older 15 & under category to earn the swimmer-of-the-match award.

The runner-up vote went to Edward Henthorn following a fine effort in the boys' 13 & under backstroke.

Result: 1 Rushden 187pts, 2 Witney 156, 3 Kettering 153, 4 Wellingborough 134, 5 Modernians 115.

Other Witney winners: D Frost (butterfly), R Prosser (backstroke), S Bark (backstroke), A Harris (freestyle), K Major (breaststroke), A McLean (freestyle), G French (freestyle).

Personal bests: R Frost (backstroke), C Moss (breaststroke), J Kendall (butterfly), H Major (freestyle), O Belang (butterfly), J Ashcroft (freestyle), L Sulley (freestyle), G Kendall (breaststroke), D Watkins (freestyle), P Moss (backstroke), D Pratley (butterfly), C French (backstroke), S Skinner (butterfly), J Pymm (breaststroke), E Moore (butterfly), R Gray (freestyle), S Tanner (backstroke), H Coulson (breaststroke), B Locke (backstroke).

Final Result: Rushden 187, Witney 156, Kettering 153, Wellingborough 134, Modernians 115.