24 Mar 2007 - Struggle for points in 2nd Division
The first of the five 2nd Division galas was held at Olympia on Sat 24th March.
A few call offs during the week from illness, meant that we went into this gala in the difficult position of not being able to field a full team. As the gala got underway, the other four teams put early points on the board whilst we waited for our 13/14's to notch up our first points. At the end of the medlay relays, we had done well to edge into fourth spot just above Monifieth with strong swims for our upper age groups.
Some of the young swimmers were swimming at their first divisional gala and with their age groups being depleted, some were asked to swim two 100m events, something they probably hadn't been expecting. All of the young ones who swam did really well and you could sees the determination on their faces as the fought for the points.
The older age groups were strong as had been expected and had many fine swims to keep us in touch with three of the other four teams.
As we approached the freestyle relays at the end of the gala, it looked as if the 'writing was on the wall' as we held a narrow lead over Monifieth for fourth spot. With Monifieth fielding relay teams at most of the age groups, they soon built up a healthy cushion and although our older age groups narrowed the gap, we couldn't quite make it back into fourth spot.
St Thomas must have been delighted to take a well deserved victory on their return to the 2nd Div after a year in the 3rd. Montrose edged it for 2nd spot ahead of a strong looking Aberfeldy who had struggled at the foot of this division all of last year.
Hopefully we will be in a position to field a much fuller young squad for our next gala on 5th May at Perth. It is much more fun for the youngsters if they get to swim in the relays and important for the team too in gaining valuable points.
Result
1. Arbroath St Thomas 2 156 - 5 points
2. Montrose & District Seals 131 - 4 points
3. Aberfeldy Sharks 127 - 3 points
4. Monifieth 2 120 - 2 points
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