A 39-STRONG Redditch Swimming Club team turned on the style to claim a superb victory in the final of the Ross PGL League at Gloucester’s GL1 Leisure Centre.
Redditch last won the trophy in 2010 and head coach Chris Britt was elated with this latest triumph.
“What a spectacular result this was and what a fantastic victory for our young swimmers, who gave absolutely everything for their club to win the PGL League Trophy,” said Britt.
“The final was a tight and exciting contest and, although we came out clear winners in the end, nobody was absolutely sure we had done it until the final results were announced.
“The level of excitement among the swimmers poolside during the last few races was greater than I have seen in my years at the club.
“There was huge excitement when Worcester were announced as runners-up!”
Redditch qualified for Saturday’s final in fourth place – behind Bromsgrove, Northgate (Bridgnorth) and Pershore – having competed in four qualifying rounds against clubs from Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, West Midlands and Shropshire.
Eight teams competed in the final in more than 60 events, with all teams starting on equal terms as nothing is carried over from the qualifying rounds.
Thirty-nine swimmers from Redditch aged between nine and 14 (inclusive) competed and from early on it was clear five teams – including Redditch – would be vying for the gold medals.
Worcester, who have won the league in three of the last four years, looked very strong. After 15 events Worcester were ahead on 74 points and Redditch were third on 69.
At the halfway stage Redditch had slipped to fifth place, now 17 points behind leaders Worcester.
The excitement really mounted three quarters of the way through the contest by which stage two points separated four teams.
Redditch had clawed their way back into contention and were now joint second with Pershore on 212 points, one point behind Bromsgrove who had moved into first place, with Worcester dropping to fourth on 211.
Redditch then turned on the style, winning six and finishing second in five of the last 15 races to emerge clear winners on 314 points, 27 ahead of runners-up Worcester.
The Redditch squad comprised: Boys – Aled Lee, Bradley Steward, Elliot Wall, Riley Perry, Finley Hayden, Dylan Price, Noah Chambers, Bobby Riley, Elliot Hill, Aidan Dawe, Charlie Saunders, Finlay Shennan, Jamie Kelman, Loius Lee, Michael Greenfield, James Mucklow, Ryan Crumpton, Charlie Davidson, Matthew Bell, Jamie Chance.
Girls – Hannah Osborne, Martha Colclough, Georgia Barratt, Ella Loftus, Eleanor Cartwright, Maddison Hill, Louisa Baldwin, Ashleigh Green, Niamh Gibbs, Hannah Willis, Lucy Hatfield, Caitlin Chance, Rosie Grainger, Cristina Ricci, Aisling Quirke, Louise Quirke, Lauren Hartland, Jenna Fellows, Libby Waldron.
