Gala success for Oldham swimmers

OLDHAM Amateur Swimming Club made a fantastic start to the Central Lancashire Intermediate League, winning their first gala 192-119 against Wigan Swimming Club.

Two swimmers from each club competed in the 24 events which took place at Hindley Pool.

Olivia Askew was the star in the 11 years and under category as she was victorious in the 50 metres freestyle, backstroke and butterfly.

Team-mate Kiandra Basnett completed a clean sweep for the girls u-11’s as she won the breaststroke event.

The u-11 boys also prospered with Kyle Clegg this time winning the trio of 50 metres freestyle, butterfly and breaststrokes, Sammy Ireland’s backstroke victory completed another clean sweep.

Two more hat-tricks of wins came at the 13 years and under category. Jessica Fullalove and Peter Cunningham won the 50m freestyle, backstroke and butterfly in the girls and boys events.

These wins were backed up by Caitlin Wareing and Sam Marsden who won the 50m breaststroke in their respective races.

More wins followed in the 15 years and under category as Ash Ratchford completed an impressive double by winning the 50m freestyle and butterfly. Meanwhile for the girls it was Chloe Basnett who claimed victory in the 50m backstroke.

The relay events were also dominated by Oldham. The u-11 girls squad of Amy Cunningham, Kiandra Basnett, Olivia Askew, Georgina Cain and Natasha Sabel completed the medley and freestyle relay double.

The boys u-11 team comprising of Dylan Stockton, Sammy Ireland, Kyle Clegg and Michael Entwistle also won their freestyle relay event.

The u-13 girls replicated the achievements of the under-11s by claiming a relay double with Caitlin Wareing, Rebecca Lewis, Beth Peak, Lucy Ireland and Jessica Fullalove making up the teams.

The boys of the same age group also managed to win both freestyle and medley relays as earlier winners Sam Marsden and Peter Cunningham were joined by Hayden Saville and Joe Knight in a strong-looking outfit.

The fantastic performances throughout the relay events was topped with double success for the u-15 girls as the squad of Rhiannon Prestage, Chloe Basnett, Sophie Kenny, Helen Richards and Hannah Clegg were victorious.

The event concluded with a freestyle relay comprising of a male and female from each of the three respective age groups.

The successful meeting was crowned as the team of Olivia Askew, Kyle Clegg, Jessica Fullalove, Peter Cunningham, Rhiannon Prestage and Ash Ratchford won the final event of the evening.