Southampton Masters sail to Gold at Royal Navy Meet

The ever-impressive Millfield School, Glastonbury, played host to the annual Royal Navy Masters Meet...the only one of its kind in the calendar that serves as both seasoned swimmer competition and charity event, with a decent share of the proceeds contributing to the Armed Forces Veterans. Shame in many ways that the final weekend of February also saw several age-group gatherings across the South of England - with both Hampshire and Devon seeing their final weekend of action, in addition to the ever-popular British University and College Sports Society (BUCS) draining many an Official and Judge towards Ponds Forge, Sheffield (and several fierce Post-Grad regulars - perhaps a benefit in that respect!) 

In contrast, City of Southampton Masters mustered one of their largest contingents ever assembled at the renown academic insititution - Ten Sotonians with a wealth of experience taking on our Military hosts as well as the swell of attendees from nearby Wincanton, Totnes and Bristol Penguins. The more junior-end saw Matt Nash (25-29yrs) continuing momentum across the sprint events, claiming double-Bronze in the 100m Fly (01.07.34) and 100m IM (01.12.69), the former a comfortable lifetime best. Carl Halford (30-34yrs) made his debut in the early-thirties category with a well-paced 400m FC (04.34.09) to kick off his day atop of the podium, finishing with a well-deserved Bronze in the 100m FC (00.58.21). Joining Halford in the same division was Alistair Bretherton (30-34yrs), an absolute debut for CSSC Masters, battling through to Bronze on the 50m Breaststroke (00.35.28) and snatching Silver over twice the distance (01.19.38). 

Final flourish in the thirties...Fiona Carroll (30-34yrs) followed up on her fine distance form from Regionals to take Gold in the favoured 400m FC (04.45.22), freestyle proving unstoppable for the Open Water specialist with titles over 50m (00.29.82), 100m (01.03.89) and 200m (02.16.20)...only a sly touch on the final half-metre across the 50m Breaststroke (00.38.14) denied Carroll a clean sweep. Melissa Dolby (25-29yrs) successfully defended her Triple-Sprint Crown, 50m FC (00.27.45) and 50m Fly (00.29.56) only a fraction off her Competition Records from 2022, the 100m IM (01.08.38) a near spot-on match from a year ago. Issy Lyon-Maris (25-29yrs) made a welcome return to racing with dual titles across 50m Backstroke (00.35.16) and 100m Backstroke (01.15.46).

Stepping through the decades a little, Anthony Blake (35-39yrs) had a bit of a tough time with a series of minor infringments (DQs in non-technical speak) - a curse that last year saw many a raised eyebrow from competitors with a over-zealous Head Judge. However, success was found early on in the 400m FC (07.01.00) for a final podium place, and a nudge down to fourth in the 100m Breaststroke (01.38.43)...plenty to build on after a three-year absence for the Irishman. James MacTavish (40-44yrs) benefitted from notable withdrawls of high-profile names to defend his 400m FC (04.45.37) and surprisingly reclaim the 50m Fly (00.30.98) in a last dash of the day. Lucy Gruner (40-44yrs) faced sterner competition on the Ladies side, despite impressive 200m FC (02.32.14) and 50m FC (00.83) performances that bettered her times from a year ago, yet failed to take home metal. 

Kim Tarrant (55-59yrs), fighting off a niggling shoulder injury, pulled a Season's Best out of the bag over the 100m Breaststoke (01.39.46), dipping below the one-minute forty mark for the first time in several seaons and rewarded with Bronze. 

Relays are frequently a hot contest here...Royal Navy vs. Royal Air Force vs. British Army - with fiesty flurries from Exmouth and Devonport Masters making for a sharp showdown. Southampton Masters however slipped neatly into the quieter 100-119yrs bracket for the first time, a quartet of Halford/Nash/Lyon-Maris/Dolby winning both the Mixed 4x50 FC and Medley titles ahead of our hosts and Bristol Penguins. Even more of a surprise, the 160-199yrs division had Bretherton/MacTavish/Carroll/Tarrant not only claim a shock 4x50 Medley Gold ahead of vets Wincanton and Devonport, but see of Out to Swim for the 4x50 FC Double - a first for the Reds to bring home all entered Team races. 

A final cap was the overall age-group winners - Carroll and MacTavish honoured with this year's minted coins (the latter a particular shock given an unforeseen mix-up in heat draws on the 50m FC, chalk that one up to Coach error!) No stopping Wincanton on the overall Visiting Club with an assured victory...few more Sotonians needed to break that streak - always a numbers game, but let's see if 2024 can have CSSC give them a run for their money.

Medal Tally:

GOLD : 15

SILVER : 3

BRONZE : 8

TOTAL : 26

James MacTavish

CSSC Masters Coach