Chorley Marlins have finished an amazing swimming season by being crowned Microleague Division B Champions!


 


The Microleague contains all the North Lancashire teams in a divisional format with 8 teams in Division B. Each team must complete in 4 separate, fast paced swimming galas against 4 other teams in the division.  The age groups involved are boys and girls from 9 to 12 years old and it is really a team event as there are 49 events to each gala. Points are awarded for individual and relay events with 4 for a win, to 1 point for 4th place and ensures a very close gala as relays are worth double points and events can go down to the very last race!

The total points from all the galas are collated and Chorley came out top with a fantastic 576 points with Clitheroe A 2nd with 523 points and now they now go into a swim off in September aiming for promotion to Division A.

Marlins won 3 out of their 4 gala’s this year with a very tight second place [2 points] in the other travelling to Liverpool, Burnley, Blackpool and with a home gala at All Seasons whilst competing against Clitheroe A, Garston A, Ormskirk A, Burley Aquatics A, Garstang A, Blackburn A and Blackpool B during the course of the season.

The Microleague gives a chance for the clubs younger swimmers to be blooded in competitive racing environment and Chorley’s newest team members, the 9 year old boys & girl’s teams did the club proud. The girl’s team remained unbeaten in relay events throughout this season, pickup up a maximum 32 points and with 9 year old Elizabeth Woodcock in the top 10 girl’s individual performers for the whole division in her first Microleague season.

The fact that Chorley Marlins had 4 girls; Anna Doughty [12], Kelly-Ann Roscoe [11], Mariette Braithwaite [10] and Elizabeth Woodcock [9], with Stephen Hancock [11] for the boys in the individual top 10 divisional statistics and 3 of the girls relay teams in the top 10 girls team statistics shows the strength and depth of the whole squad with each and every member of the team playing their part.

Head coach Mary Parkinson said “the whole club is extremely proud of the way the Microleague team squad has performed this year. They not only swam magnificently in all the galas this year but also conducted themselves brilliantly with every team member cheering and supporting each other. They were also supported by the noisiest set of parents in the division! People knew when Marlins has been racing!” she added “We have been very strong in all age groups and I have been able to bring swimmers in to replace others with no effect on performance or results. Whilst looking forward to the swim off with the existing team, we also have to start planning for next year, so one of our priorities is developing our younger swimmers to replace the 9 years olds moving age groups”

The swim off takes place in Blackpool Palatine on 10th September and Chorley will be competing against Clitheroe A from Division B, Blackpool A and Lancaster A from Division A with the top 2 teams competing in Division A next season so GOOD LUCK MARLINS!