Barracudas off to flier

BEAU SEJOUR BARRACUDAS Swimming Club placed first in round one of the 2005 National Speedo League in South-West Division One. Having just missed promotion to the premier division at the end of last season, the Barracudas faced this year's challenge with enthusiasm and finished with 251 points, well ahead of their nearest rivals Fareham, on 203.

Maidenhead were in third position followed by Alton, Chalfont and Rushmoor.

Coach Alison Frankland said the next two rounds were crucial, the club having last season been edged into seventh place and just missing out on the final round.

'Hopefully we can make the top six because we need to be in the top six for the final round.'

It is, she says, a handicap competing on a postal basis.

'It's not easy competing on home ground without the atmosphere of a six-team match.'

Virtually every club in the UK takes part in the national league which is structured regionally. The winner of each regional premier division competes in the national final at the end of the year.

As the cost of travel is prohibitive Channel Islands teams are permitted to swim the first two rounds in their home pool.

The Barracudas swam their first round alongside the team from the Guernsey Swimming Club who are competing in Division Two.

Jersey Swimming Club are in Division One with the Barracudas, while it is understood that the Tigers of Jersey have withdrawn from the premier division for this season.

The men's open section was dominated by the Barracudas with Thomas Hollingsworth easily winning the 100m individual medley and 100m butterfly.

Jonathon Le Noury took the 100m backstroke, Paul Adkins, the 100m breaststroke and Ian Hubert the 100m freestyle.

The four men also won the open medley relay event in an excellent time of 52.78, two seconds clear of nearest rivals Fareham.

In the 15 years and under age group Jeremy Osborne secured maximum points by winning both the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly, while Robyn Le Friec, in the same age group, won the 100m butterfly as well as in the women's open section.

Le Friec was joined by Kelsey Russell, Katie Salmon and Hannah Lamb to win the under-15 medley relay.

The boys' team of James and Edward Dickinson, Jeremy Osborne and Matthew Allen won the freestyle equivalent.

In the 13 years and under age group Jacob Cherry and Victoria Parfit won the 100m breaststroke races, finishing in 1-24.68 and 1-23.72 respectively.

The youngest age group of Barracuda boys (10-11) also excelled, winning all their events.

David Hall placed first in the individual 100m backstroke and freestyle, Luke Belton won the breaststroke with Joe Ogier gaining maximum points in the butterfly in a time of 36.70.

Hall and Ogier were joined by Jamie Salmon and Carlie Spano to take the under 11 years freestyle relay in a superb time of 1-01.76, nearly four seconds ahead of Maidenhead.

The boys also won the medley relay with Hall on backstroke, Belton taking the breaststroke leg, Ogier the butterfly and anchorman Spano bringing home the freestyle in 1-12-38, again beating Maidenhead into second place.

The 10-11 years girls also won both of their relays.

Eighteen clubs compete in South West Division One with the Barracudas lying in equal first place at the top of the table, alongside Bracknell and Wokingham and City of Southampton. Jersey are in 16th place.