DROITWICH Dolphins have made a fine start to the Arena National League with victory in round one in Tamworth.

While this was the first event overseen by Dolphin’s new head coach Brian McGuinness, the team success owed much to the excellent work done by his predecessor Chris Hadley.

The strength in depth of the relay events was the foundation of a surprise victory as the swimmers improved skills produced impressive performances. The exciting final relay victory leading to a two point win over Worcestershire counterparts Stourbridge was a fitting conclusion to an excellent night’s work.

In a 50 metre event competition it is difficult to highlight individuals but an impressive two second personal best for Aaron Biddle won the 100m backstroke (63.8s).

Ruth Hadley also demonstrated the high quality technique to win both the 100m breaststroke and 200 individual medley.

Overall, it was the quality of the Droitwich team’s skills across the four age groups that set the Dolphins apart from the other five teams and augurs well for the remaining two rounds, where further improvements are expected and will be needed as the win will bring tougher opposition.

  •  Meanwhile, Bromsgrove Swimming Club held their breaststroke Championships.

Results: Millie Ryall 9yo 100m breaststroke 02:09.00 (PB); Jasmine Kilmartin 9yo 100m breaststroke 02:10.59 (PB); Lucy Charles 9yo 100m breaststroke 02:15.00 (PB); Luke Jones 9yo 100m breaststroke 02:05.94 (PB); Thomas Powell 9yo 100m breaststroke 02:10.68 (PB); Cyrus Passman 9yo 100m breaststroke 02:18.75 (PB); Molly Irons 10yo 100m breaststroke 01:51.02 (PB); Felicity Gee 10yo 100m breaststroke 02:02.97 (PB); Bromley Arnold 10yo 100m breaststroke 02:10.70 (PB); Keiva Cheshire 10yo 100m breaststroke 02:19.19 (PB); Michael Bray 10yo 100m beaststroke 01:51.43 (PB); Sebastian Perry 10yo 100m breaststroke 02:03.25 (PB); Liam Wang 10yo 100m breaststroke 02:30.22 (PB); Ryan Lewis 11yo 100m breaststroke 01:46.54 (PB); Matilda Anderson 12yo 100m breaststroke 01:47.12 (PB); Jacob Elliott 12yo 100m breaststroke 01:28.15 (PB); Tristan Gee 12yo 100m breaststroke 01:53.03 (PB); James Maycock 12 100 breaststroke 01:56.17 (PB); Megan Pickup 13yo 100m breaststroke 01:33.41; Jessica Stanley 13yo 100m breaststroke 01:43.44 (PB); Sam Parkinson 14yo 100m breaststroke 01:30.81 (PB); Samuel Harris 15yo 100m breaststroke 01:48.92 (PB); Callum Stanley 16yo 100m breaststroke 01:28.72 (PB); Liz Hawker 100m breaststroke 01:43.38.