Ipswich Swimming Club retained the title of Champions of the National Speedo league for London, following a superb victory at Potters Bar on Saturday evening against teams from the City of Cambridge, Barnet Copthall, Hillingdon Borough, Ealing and Hatfield.

Ipswich Swimming Club retained the title of Champions of the National Speedo league for London, following a superb victory at Potters Bar on Saturday evening against teams from the City of Cambridge, Barnet Copthall, Hillingdon Borough, Ealing and Hatfield.

This fantastic result means they now travel to Crystal Palace in April 2001 to compete in the 33rd National Cup Final.

It was a wonderful evening with great team spirit, which showed through in our swimmers determination to succeed, giving the enthusiastic supporters great excitement. To say the evening was electric is an understatement, the supporters waving blue and white flags, sounds of air horns, drums and rattles carried the swimmers through every race right to receiving the final results.

Ipswich were always leading, at one stage by only five points but with there will to win they were not giving up there title without a fight.

This achievement is another significant step in the clubs progress and all the people involved can be proud of the success that is so richly deserved.

FINAL RESULTS 1st Ipswich 201 points, 2nd City of Cambridge 189 points, 3rd Ealing 184 points, 4th Hillingdon Borough 169 points, 5th Hatfield 157 points and 6th Barnet Copthall with 149 points.

Karen Pickering started the evening off by winning the Ladies Open I.M in a time of 2.16.63; she was swimming against her Great Britain teammate Sarah Price. Phillip Gallagher followed in the Men's Open I.M. finishing third with a time of 2.12.30.

In the next Individual swim Sophie Poole came fifth in the 10-11 yrs 50m backstroke (38.06) and Harry Blau came third in this event with a time of 37.80. Rebecca Harris finished fourth in the girls 13/U 100m breaststroke (1.23.88), David Gallagher also finished fourth in the boys event (1.21.26).

Abbie Thorrington and Matt Vinter both came fifth in the 15/U backstroke, Matt swam up an age group in this event (1.12.22, 1.06.73).

Karen Pickering and Wayne Linford both stormed to victory in the Open Butterfly (1.03.05, 57.28).

.

In the 10-11yrs Butterfly Abby Maynard had an impressive swim to finish in third spot (37.47), while Alex Beynon in his first time in this competition finished fifth in this event (37.56). Elisa Calver had a very close race in the 13/U 100m backstroke to finish in third place (1.11.25). Matt Vinter was back in the pool to also finish in third position in this event (1.07.49). Laura Mallion gained a fourth place in the girl's 15/U butterfly (1.09.77), while Joe Rhodes swam an impressive 1.04.98 to take second place in this event.

Zoë Cray swam a fantastic race in the Ladies Open backstroke with an impressive time of 1.02.07. Chris Paine had a good race in finishing fourth in the Men's Open backstroke finishing in a time of 1.03.39.

At this point, half way through the gala, Ipswich was six points ahead of Ealing.

Rachel Keeley and Tim Price had fantastic races to both finish first in the 10-11yrs-50m/U breaststroke (40.27, 39.23). In the 13/U butterfly Hannah Wood finished sixth (1.17.56) and David Gallagher fourth (1.11.94). Kirsty Binnington came sixth in the 15/U freestyle (1.03.74) followed by Joe Rhodes who had a close race to finish in second place (56.41).

Alison Girling came second in the Ladies Open breaststroke (1.16.81) and James Freezer finished in fourth position in this event (1.10.38).

In the girls 10-11yrs freestyle Rachel Keeley came in at a close third (30.89) and Tim Price followed in the boys event securing a good second place (30.87). Natasha Downes and Matt Vinter both stormed to fantastic victories in the 13/U freestyle (1.03.59, 59.92). Alice Calver and David Gallagher both finished fifth in the 15/U breaststroke (1.15.70). The Ladies Open freestyle was a close race as was the Men's Open freestyle, Zoë Cray came second (56.91) and Phillip Gallagher came third (52.55).

The relays are always very exciting where valuable points can be gained. Ipswich historically has done very well in these events and this was to be no exception. Although the final was difficult the team spirit shone through. Ipswich finished up with three 1st places, four 2nd, four 3rd, four 4th and one 5th.

Well done to all involved and congratulations to the swimmers.

Good luck in the National Final!

Don't forget the date! 28th April 2002.