Event: Wiltshire Masters Round 1
Venue: Link Centre, Swindon
Date: 18th February 2012
On the weekend before the Wiltshire County Youth Championships gets underway, the Link Centre played host to the first round of the more relaxed Wiltshire Masters Competition.
Ten Wiltshire clubs took part with last years overall competition runners-up Swindon Dolphin aiming to get a good start to this year’s campaign, having the home pool advantage as well as fielding the largest squad on the night.
Jon Audis and John Drake both led the charge for Dolphin, each winning four gold from four events and earning maximum points for the team. Audis’ 50m backstroke also lowered his own 30 to 34 years county record set last year. Audis and Drake were joined by Helen Hanks and Kath Baker in the mixed 4 x 50m medley relay where they also set a new county record in the 120 to 159 years age group.
Dolphin’s top record breaker, however, was the impressive Brian Davis who at 75 years old has competed for Dolphin in every year of its existence. Davis set new 75 to 79 years county marks in the 50m backstroke and 25m breaststroke, taking a massive 3 seconds and 7 seconds respectively off the existing records.
Brian Davis ~ 60th year of competing for Dolphin
Competing for the first time at masters level this year were Ben Clark, Anna Roger, Claire Thomas and Mark Pearcey with notable returns to the fold after several years absence by Shaun Matthews, Ian Cockhead and Glenys Lock.
The final overall team scores left Swindon Dolphin just 3 points clear of last years eventual winners Salisbury. The second round of the competition takes place in June and the third and final round in October.
