Mixed fortunes for Bucks' swimmers (From Bucks Free Press)

Mixed fortunes for Bucks' swimmers

November 15, 2000 13:20: IT was a tale of two clubs in Portsmouth last Saturday when Wycombe District and Amersham Swimming Clubs contested the second round of the Speedo League (South) Premier Division.

And while Wycombe had an outstanding day to finish third overall, Amersham were plagued by illness, injury and bad luck, ending the day fifth, just half a point behind fourth place Rushmoor.

The result was a particularly good one for Wycombe in the new-look Premier Division which comprises the top 18 clubs from the old 30-strong first division.

Hosts and favourites Portsmouth/Northsea (258pts) claimed top spot, ahead of runners-up Beckenham (207) and third place Wycombe (165).

Amersham (148), in fifth, finished ahead of last place Fareham Nomads (119), while Rushmoor (148) filled fourth spot.

Francesca Wright (15-and-under 100m backstroke), Charles Baird (U11 50m breaststroke) and Alex Vine (U15 100m butterfly) all led the way for Wycombe as they collected wins in their respective categories.

Then, the boys' nine to 11-year 4x50m relay squad of Robert Matthews-Stroud, Charles Baird, Oliver Woodall and Christian Johnson claimed the freestyle event.

Thomas Hearn then replaced Oliver and the team claimed top spot in the medley as well.

The final event saw the men's 6x50m freestyle team of Cormac McFarlane, Jay Allnutt, James Benjafield, Daniel Bennett, Richard Townsend and Simon Burnett steal a famous victory after coming from behind.

Valuable second places were gained by Kirsti Robertson (open 100m butterfly), Simon Burnett (open 100m butterfly and backstroke), Alex Vine (100m backstroke) and Richard Townsend (open 100m freestyle).

Wycombe also claimed four individual third places and twice touched home third in the relays.

Amersham meanwhile, did well to take fifth place at the same meet, after being forced to field several swimmers out of their age groups.

Fourteen-year-old Chloe Osborne put in a big effort in the ladies open, where she broke the club's 13-14 year record, and 12-year-old Katie Towers took a step up to the 13-and-under 100m butterfly, where she finished second.

Amersham's ten/11 year olds had an excellent day. Andrea Poore set the winning bandwagon rolling, anchoring home Hannah Shaw, Andrea Fox and Jenifer Howard in the freestyle relay.

Poore then claimed victories in both the 50m backstroke and freestyle races.

The girls then claimed the medley relay title when Katie Ambridge overtook the Portsmouth swimmer to touch first after Howard, Fox and Shaw had done their bit.

There was also a win for Jane Stalker (100m freestyle).

The third and final round of the league takes place on December 2.

In Division Two of the National League, Amersham B, as depleted as their top squad, battled bravely for fourth place in Oxford.

Christopher Clements claimed first place in his 100m breaststroke race, but Joelle Jeans was unlucky in her 100m freestyle. She touched home first but was disqualified for moving on the block.

Melissa Bennington weighed in with two seconds to give Amersham more points as they finished four ahead of last place Andover.

Bognor Regis won the event ahead of City of Oxford.

At home, Amersham took third place in their junior meet.

William Wise, Scott Rosenthal, Jamie Johnson and Jonathan Wale all gained first places for the hosts.

But that wasn't enough to see off eventual winners Harrow and Wealdstone.

They claimed top place with 153 points, 23 ahead of runners up Sea Byrds.

Amersham finished on 99 points, pipping neighbours Wycombe by three points.

The other Bucks club Chesham finished the meet on 77 points. Ruislip Northwood filled the last spot, notching 64 points.