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Marlins secure sensational home win in Sussex League !

 

 

The Marlins sprung into life last evening at the Triangle (18th June) in a sensational Sussex League gala. The club demonstrated strength in depth and a buoyant team spirit to beat local giants Crawley  and 1066 of Hastings.
 
In the 55 race event Marlins picked up a staggering 28 1st places including four important 1,2s (first and second places).  Guy Cooper got the ball rolling in race two (100im) followed quickly by (Ollie G 100im) in race 4.  It was all then very close until our young girls U12 Medley relay team picked up 1st place in race 24.  It reflected the first Marlins girls relay win of the evening and proved to be the turning point and catalyst of sustained wins. Izzy Watson,Emma Shilton,Jodhi Gold and Bella Little were all very excited after the race. Izzy said 'that was great, it lovely to win and we all enjoyed the race !'  Jodhi added ' I think the Marlins are going to win tonight !
 
 
Bella,Jodhi,Izzy and Emma  with club captain Matt G
 
 
Races 24 through to 35 saw us pick up nine wins including excellent performances from Marlin veterans Rachel Bowen and Claire Shaw. The welcome points put Marlins into a good lead.
 
The pressure on Crawley was relentless all evening but credit to them for digging in mid gala.  Races 38 to 41 all went their way bringing the scores very close indeed. With the final relays in sight serious concerns were creeping in however with poolside frenzy reaching fever pitch and Marlins swimming well our relay teams got the job done with aplomb.  As in the Brighton gala last month young Alfie Beadle came in from the clouds to overtake both his rivals on the last leg of the U12 relay race.  The 'teaching' group lad is certainly a powerful swimmer for his age and is one to keep a very close eye on !!
 
 
Other winners on the night include Emma Shilton, Tom Mellor, Dave Masters, Matt Knox, Sam Ward, Ben Long (great fly performance !) Alex Bowen and Chris Coxhil
 
 
Sam, great performace in 100 back
 
Final points tally  Marlins 416   Crawley 399  and 1066  189.
 
Coach Paul Blyth said :-
At times it was hard to stay relaxed and focused, so much tension and excitement in the air.
The swimmers created a fabulous atmosphere poolside and by midway all our swimmers were being roared in to the finish from 10m out.
Fantastic team spirit and that was the key to winning.
Everyone gave 100% and they executed their swims brilliantly.
It was an extremely tight tussle from the first race to the last.
However, in the end the swimmers held their nerve and completed a well deserved victory over Crawley and 1066.
The coaching staff would like to thank all the swimmers, poolside staff and supporters for a great effort.
Lets look forward to next Saturday and our final Sussex League Gala against Atlantis and Littlehampton.
It will be tough but then so are we.
 
Coach Angela Gibson said ' I am thrilled for all the swimmers, they have all been working very hard in training and it has all paid off this evening'
 
 
 
 
After 4 Sussex league attempts and 4 National Swimming League attempts since 2007, it was a wonderful feeling to eventually overturn our K2 rivals.  We have run them close on one or two occasions in the past.  Everyone associated with the team was in very high spirits (including the idiot with the clipboard who threw himself in !).
 
Paul Blyth and Angela G and their staff deserve heaps of praise for this victory. In the face difficult circumstances they have got the top squads firing on all cylinders. Well done guys !!
 
 
Things must be going well the post gala curry was reintroduced !
Marlins enjoyed their post match celebratory curry with muns and dads
 
 
As eluded to in recent press bulletins the club are certainly working hard in training and are addressing weaknesses all over the camp. From the bottom to the top of this club we are all now moving forward as one and there is positivity emanating from every area.  Lets keep this going into next weekends final team Gala and beyond !!!