OLDHAM AMATUER SWIMMING CLUB SENIOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2011

This was Oldham Seals first entry into the competition for many years and as Senior League consists of three age groups, Under 17s, Under 20 and 20 & above, this would be a real test for our relatively young team. Six other clubs had entered the competition for 2011 and with each team swimming all the other teams home and away, this would mean a run of twelve galas faced our Seals team.

Our debut in Senior League came in March and was away at Stalybridge – an experienced senior league competitor over recent years. There was some nervousness amongst the Seals team as they hit the water but it was short-lived as Seals won the gala convincingly by 31.5 points to 14. An impressive start to the campaign.

Four days later saw our next gala back at Oldham in a double header against Tyldesley (Senior League winners for the last 15 years) and Rochdale. The opportunity was taken to bring in a number of 13 year old swimmers to give them a taste of the senior league experience. An amazing performance saw Seals beat Tyldesley by 28.5 points to 17.5 points and Rochdale by 38 points to 7 points. Three wins out of three against established senior league teams and confidence was high.

Next Oldham travelled on a Saturday evening in April to face Swinton, a very strong home team. It had been planned to rest our younger swimmers but circumstances beyond our control dictated that we needed them to turn out. This on paper was one of our sternest tests, but again our young team came up trumps and another superb performance saw Seals win by 28.5 points to 17.5 points. Four wins out of four and Seals were now top of the Senior League.

Next followed an away gala at Bury & Elton in April and the decision was taken that as the younger swimmers had done so well they would be included for all future senior galas. Victory over Bury & Elton by 34 points to 10 points was followed by a break in galas due to exams, so our next gala was not until June at home against Swinton and Bury & Elton. The break had done Seals no harm and Swinton were beaten 34.5 to 11.5 and Bury & Elton 33.5 to 12. Seven wins out of seven and riding high at the top of the league, this was totally unexpected and the whole squad was on a high.

The final gala before the summer break was at local neighbours Chadderton who like us had only entered the league this season. It was hoped that Seals could maintain their unbeaten run and head off for the summer break riding high at the top of the league. The swimmers didn’t disappoint and won the gala comfortably by 37 points to 9. Two thirds of the fixtures were now completed and Seals were top of the league and still unbeaten.

Galas resumed again in September and the toughest of starts faced Seals away at favourites Tyldesley, it was felt the winners of this gala would go on to win the league. Seals turned out their strongest team and in a tough close gala and with strong performances by all the Seals swimmers, victory was achieved by 25 points to 21. Seals swimmers had come through their toughest test and the unbeaten run continued. Three galas to go and now four points clear of second place Tyldesley, winning the league was now in Seals own hands. The next gala was at Rochdale and was likely to be the last time that Seals would compete at the old pool as their new pool is due to open in 2012. Another convincing win by Seals 36 points to 10 meant that with two galas to go Seals were still four points clear.

Seals last two galas were at Oldham the first of which was the return gala against Chadderton, a win would confirm Oldham Seals as Senior League Winners and another professional performance ensured a 37 points to 9 win and confirmed Seals as Senior League Winners 2011.

Our final gala of the season was at home to Stalybridge and although the league was won there was the still the goal of remaining unbeaten This turned out to be the challenge of the season as Stalybridge arrived with a number of their Gents Masters Team in their squad This was a tough gala especially for the boys with a number of our younger swimmers facing Stalybridge swimmers nearly twice their age. But as had happened all season, the Seals swimmers dug in and produced a battling display which was rewarded with a draw - 23 points each.

So the season was over, Oldham Seals had won the 2011 Central Lancs Senior League at the first time of asking and broke the 15 year dominance of Tyldesley. The team’s age ranged from only 12 to 18 years and each and every one of them that took part should be proud of their contribution to the success. Their commitment, sportsmanship and all round enthusiasm was a credit to the club.

Our 2011 Senior League Winners Squad was:

Hannah Clegg(Girls Captain) Harry Entwistle (Boys Captain)

Vicky Burgess

  		                Danny Whitham		

Holly Bradbury

				Ash Ratchford

Jess Fullalove

				Ian Martin

Francesca Chiappe

				Bradley Ratcliffe

Nicola Farrell

				Peter Cunningham

Rebecca Lewis

				Sam Hill

Caitlin Wareing

				Joe Knight

Beth Woolfenden

				Kyle Clegg (13)

Rhiannon Prestage

				Brad Hannah (13)

Olivia Askew (13)

				Michael Entwistle (13) 

Sara Loft (13)

Emma-Lee Poole (12)

2011 Senior League Results

Stalybridge 14 Oldham Seals 31.5

Oldham Seals 38 Rochdale 7

Oldham Seals 28 Tyldesley 17.5

Swinton 17.5 Oldham Seals 28.5

Bury & Elton 6 Oldham Seals 24

Oldham Seals 33.5 Bury & Elton 12

Oldham Seals 34.5 Swinton 11.5

Chadderton 9 Oldham Seals 37

Tyldesley 21 Oldham Seals 25

Rochdale 10 Oldham Seals 36

Oldham Seals 37 Chadderton 9

Oldham Seals 23 Stalybridge 23

Linda Peake (Head Coach) & John Entwistle (Team Manager)