DRSA

Devonport’s representatives travelled to Tiverton on Saturday 24th June and Sunday 25th June for the Devon Development Galas. Many swimmers and their families took the opportunity to use nearby camping facilities. Many thanks for the organisation of this must go to Lin Stepp and Lyn Davis, who once again pulled out all the stops to ensure everyone, enjoyed their weekend.

Event one, the boys 200m freestyle, began with Reece Dunn claiming 2nd overall in the 10 years age group. Joe Saunders matched this final position in the 14 years age group with Tom Mermagen taking 3rd. The girls followed with the 200m backstroke, Sinead Davies took 4th spot in the 10 years age group.
Nat Chartres (13 years) took Devonport’s first win in the 100m breaststroke. Joe Saunders again swimming strongly took top spot in the 14 years category. Joe continued his good form taking 1st place in the 200m IM with Jordan Nicholson taking 4th place. Reece Dunn was in 2nd place in the 10 years age group.
The 100m backstroke saw 4th place taken by Rebecca Ward (11yrs.)
Her sister Abbey, (14yrs) also took 4th place in the 400m freestyle. Tom Mermagen (14yrs) clinched a 3rd and Jordan Nicholson 4th in the mens 400m freestyle.
This concluded the events for day one of the meet.

After an excellent BBQ and not a great deal of sleep, the swimmers were back at the pool for day two. The Sunday began brightly with the girls 200m breaststroke. Sinead Davies took 3rd place overall and Rebekah James 4th in the 10 year age group. Holly Smith claimed 4th overall in the 13 years category. Jade Leeke took 4th overall in the 14 years age group.
The boys 200m butterfly followed, Aarron Nicholson (13 years) took 3rd place.
Huge personal best times were being recorded throughout the meet by all of the Devonport’s swimmers, showing their rate of improvement.
The 100m freestyle followed, Sam Wilkes (14 years) took 4th in the girls’ event, and Joe Saunders showed consistency taking 2nd overall, Jordan Nicholson 3rd and Tom Mermagen 4th.
The girls 200m IM was to be the final event of the day despite the programme having two further events to run. Rebekah James took 3rd place in the 10 years age group, before the gala was suspended for vandalism/health and safety reasons. A disappointing conclusion to what had been an excellent weekends swimming. The Devon ASA are endeavouring to re-schedule the days remaining events and Saturday 8th July’s gala, this appears unlikely before September. Anti-social behaviour by a minority also contributed to the suspension of this gala.
Devonport’s representatives had up until this point had an excellent weekends’ competition, their team spirit and encouragement for each other were always apparent. We must now wait for news to conclude these galas.