Swimmers lose first Section One gala

This was not only the first gala of the new year but the first competitive event for many of our youngest swimmers and the club’s first time participating in Section One of the Teletots League after promotion at the end of last season.

Banbridge welcomed visiting team Ards from their frosty journey with a warm reception and the event kicked off promptly.

The opening medley team relays were fraught with anticipation and the visiting team commenced the gala in impressive style winning Groups A, C and D. Banbridge Group B swimmers consisting of Alex Donnelly, Eunan Quinn, Olivia Knox and Bethany Wilson-Parry put in an impressive performance to take first place for Banbridge.

The 25m backstroke, the first individual event, saw local swimmers Lois Lyttle and James Whan put in strong performances to each take third place in Group A. In Group B Olivia Knox took a very convincing first place for the girls with Alex Donnelly in first and Ryan Porter second for the boys.

In Group C Jodi Doyle and Elli Robinson kept hopes alive for the home team with first and second place for the girls and Adam Bell was third for the Group C boys. Group D saw new team captains Poppy Robinson and Lewis Houston in action where Poppy secured second place for the girls and Lewis third for the boys.

The 25m breaststroke opened with the youngest Banbridge Group A competitor Julia Knox, at just six years old, securing her first Teletots points with fourth place. Harry Farson was third and Patrick Doyle fourth for Group A boys.

In Group B Olivia Knox was third and Alex Donnelly continued in winning form with first place for the boys followed by Eunan Quinn in second. Jodi Doyle had the Banbridge win of the evening with a three second lead over her nearest competitor with Elli Robinson in third and Michael Rafferty was fourth for the boys. In Group D Poppy Robinson was third and Christopher Burns fourth for the boys.

The 25m butterfly was a difficult event for the young Group A girls but again Julia Knox was in the points in fourth place for the girls and Harry Farson took third for the boys. In Group B Olivia Knox was second and Alex Donnelly had a very strong swim to once again secure first place.

In Group C Jodi Doyle and Elli Robinson demonstrated teamwork at its best, taking first and second place by a comfortable margin and Caolan Quinn was second for the boys. In Group D Poppy Robinson and Emer Doyle secured second and third places and Lewis Houston was third for the boys.

The 25m freestyle kicked off with Group A’s Caitlin Kearney in third place and a great win from Daniel Kilpatrick in first place for Group A Boys. In Group B Olivia Knox and Alex Donnelly both completed the individual events with a win for Banbridge.

In Group C Jodi Doyle and Elli Robinson were again impressive with first and second place and Caolan Quinn was third for the boys. The Group D individual events finished with Poppy Robinson in second place and Emer Doyle third for the girls and Lewis Houston fourth for the boys.

This fast moving gala came to an end with the 4x25m freestyle relays in which the visiting side had a clean sweep and a win in all sections.

The competition on the night proved too much for Section One newcomers Banbridge and the event closed with the announcement of a convincing win for Ards with 236 points to 164 for Banbridge. The home side had many outstanding performances on the night and all swimmers, especially new squad members are to be congratulated for their team spirit.