It was an away weekend for Rotherham Metro swimmers who competed at the City Of Bradford Swimming Club’s Winter Meet last weekend held at Shipley Leisure Centre.

Rotherham yet again fielded a strong squad of swimmers from age 9 to 44. This festive themed gala always manages to blend the fun side of swimming with the more serious competitive element having many swimmers chasing Yorkshire and North Eastern qualifying times for next year in races ranging from 50m sprints to more gruelling 400m freestyle and individual medley events.

Rotherham’s superb Cannon team brought home the money where eight swimmers were selected to compete in the only team event of the weekend and the only race offering prize money. Always a highlight of any gala weekend this race was no exception with the eight swimmers comprising Daniel Lyon-Smith, Ehren Beresford, Abigail Martin, Kenyon Kellett, Harri Thorman, Carys Neal, Kayley Britten and Jack Fox swimming one of the most exciting races seen at this event for many years. Rotherham fended off City of Leeds Swimming Club’s strong race by finishing 8 x 25m freestyle in a time of 1m55.25secs with Leeds less than one second behind posting a time of 1m56.17 secs.

The success in the Cannon set the scene for the weekend’s great performances. Medallists include Saoirse Behan (1B 1S), Ceri Thorman (1G 3S 1B), Holly Empson (1B 2S), Callum Simmons (4G  1B), Harri Thorman (6G 4S), Ehren Beresford (4G 1S 1B), Josh Turver (1G 1S 2B), Devin Kellett (8G), Carys Neal (1B), Isabelle Bailey (1S), Owen Mason (3G 1S 1B), Kenyon Kellett (2G 2S 3B), Becky Britten (7G 2S), Kayley Britten (4G 4S), Jack Whitehurst (3B), Thomas Blank (1S), Ben Cliff (2S), Benjamin Gavelle (2S), Daniel Lyon-Smith (1G 2S) and Ty Burrell (1G).