Liverpool Penguin Macmillan Invitation Gala

Halton SC youngsters finished in a creditable 3^rd Place at the Liverpool Penguin Macmillan Invitation Charity Gala for 9 to 12 Years Old swimmers which took place at Everton Park on Sunday 19^th June 2011.

The 8 team event offered a first chance of competitive action against some high quality local competition for the more junior members of the squad and they rose to the occasion in splendid fashion pushing Ormskirk Otters, the eventual winners, and a strong Liverpool Penguin squad all the way despite a number of the squad being unavailable.

Of the 30 individual events contested, the Halton team achieved 22 Personal Best Times reflecting a continuing improvement at the junior end of the club.

The Stand Out performance came from 10 Year Old Matty Sayle who won the 10 Years 50m Backstroke and 50m Fly Events and followed this excellent double up with a great second place in the 11 Years 50m Backstroke.

Other individual winners were Amy Steele in the 10 Years Old 50m Breaststroke, Harry Smith in the 11Years 50m Freestyle and Ben Lovell in the 25m Freestyle. Amy also claimed a second place in the 10 Years 25m Fly, whilst Harry chipped in with a second place double in the 11 Years 50m Fly and the 12 Years 50m Fly.

Ceris Breckell also scored a second place double in the 11 years 50m Backstroke and 50m Breaststroke whilst 10 Years Old Will Woodward clinched a third double second for Halton with strong performances in the 50m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke events . There were also excellent second places for Mollie Hammerton, Ryan Sanders, Ali Steele, Sarah Roberts and Ben Lovell.

There were further excellent individual and relay swims from Sophie Patton, Leah Horabin, Katie Burt, Reece Coombes, Sam Clayton, Zahra Groves, Niamh Cullen, Richard Houghton, Amber Lovell, Vicky Houghton, Grace Kelly, Joseph Ware, Elanor Sims, Simon Asai, Dean Stapleton, Holly Quinn and Tom Whitfield.

It was an excellent afternoon all round with Team Captains Alison Steele and Harry Smith collecting the third place trophy on behalf of the club at the completion of the gala.

The swimmers were outstanding in the pool and perfectly behaved on poolside. Well done to all.

Result:

1^st Ormskirk Otters - 271 Points

2^nd Liverpool Penguin - 255 Points

3^rd Halton SC - 246 Points

 PP. Neil Flaherty