SWIMMING: Thetford Dolphins ended up deserved winners of the Christine Clark Gala after two meetings (pictured).

Nearly 30 of Thetford Dolphins’ younger members (aged 12 and under) travelled to Dereham for the first round of the Norfolk Junior League.

The team faced competition from the hosts, Norwich Swan B, West Norfolk, Diss Otters and North Norfolk Vikings.

Grace McGill earned herself two new personal bests in 100 IM (1:22.94) and 50m Back (37.26). Barnaby Morgan had a full day, swimming on seven occasions, both in individual races and team medleys.

He gained a new time in 25m fly and a new PB in 50m freestyle.

Izzy O’Brien-Miller also swam well, with a PB time of 49.14 in the 50m breaststroke and a new time of 22.04 in the 25m fly.

Aimee Copp achieved a second place in both the 11/under and 12/under 50m breaststroke events; gaining a PB of 44.71 in the former.

She then went on to compete in four team relay events.

The youngest competing swimmers at the club were nine-year-olds Sam, Samuel, Aiden and Bradley for the boys and Maddison, Beth, Elena and Georgina for the girls, and each relay team completed two races.

All in all, the Dolphins came away with 162 in third place and pretty much midway between the first and fifth place clubs with 219 and 109 points respectively.

The second leg had the Dolphins hosting at Waterworld several weeks later and they excelled in their home pool. Sam Rolph achieved a new PB in the 10 and under 50m free (43.59) and swam a further six times in a variety of relay races.

Macaulay Harvey swam well, with two new PBs in both 10 and under 50m breaststroke and 25m fly. Thomas Cobbold won his two races and earned a new PB in the 12 and under 50m fly of 42.46 as well as competing several times in various relay races.

At the conclusion of the second meet, Thetford had added to their first leg tally of 162 to end with a magnificent 366. This put them ahead of West Norfolk with 337, Diss Otters with 313, NN Vikings with 228 and Norwich Swan B with 188.

n Thetford Dolphins SC will be 40 years old this year. The club is planning to give club members old, older and new a chance to renew old friendships and rivalries (swimming rivalries that is) on May 7 starting with a fun gala at Waterworld where swimmers will have the opportunity to swim competitively again.

There will be opportunities for individual races, (if you wish to have a head to head race against some of your friends, let the club know) and some friendly relays with swimmers past and present taking part.

The gala will be followed by a party at the Carnegie Rooms where you can dance the night away or renew old friendships. The club is looking for photographs from the past to display on the day. They would also like to compile a history of the club and would be grateful for copies of press cuttings, old photos, your stories etc.

For more details contact Dawn MacDuff on 01842 765456 or 765160 or email thetforddolphins40@googlemail.com or check out www.thetforddolphins.com

Picture: CLUB