Double CSSC County triumph in relays as Hampshire Masters expands to two days

In a Hampshire and Channel Island Masters first, those slightly longer in the tooth took to not just one, but two days of provincial racing, with hosts Basingstoke Bluefins and Hart Swimming Clubs sharing the shifts over Saturdays in both in May and June. The first half way up the M3 catered for those that like their turns, introducing 400m and 800m FC events together with a 400m Individual Medley - distances where Masters traditionally struggle to clock much-needed qualifying times without travelling the length and breadth of Britain. Given the County's pedigree in the discipline, and recent success as English Inter-County Champions, it seemed only right that the programme be padded...and despite the mor niche distances, 11th May at the Basingstoke Aquadrome proved to be a success - the Bluefin hosts piling in the performances, but Southampton notching up a fair few success stories of their own.

Sarah Mead (40-44yrs) is more accustomed to multiple miles at sea and in lakes than a splash and dash 400m FC (06.36.48), but powered through the hot and humid poolside conditions to claim a worthy silver, followed swiftly by doubling the distance in the 800m FC (13.31.54) and with it, her silver haul. Annie Belasco (35-39yrs) managed to go one better over the 400m FC (05.58.51) to claim the Reds' first County championship title ahead of the preferred sprint events following in June (more on that a bit later!) In a contrasting twist, the first day also featured the smilely and splashy 25m races, with Eliot Neale (30-34yrs), Kim Tarrant (55-59yrs) and Coach James MacTavish (40-44yrs) notching up an impressive Ten County titles across all sprint strokes. 

Heading into the main event of day two and Hart Leisure Centre, familiar activity and programmes resumed...50m dashes to pacy 200m races,  with the new addition of a 200m Individual Medley for those that enjoy a touch of variation to their eight lengths! A CSSC contingent of Seventeen Masters spread themselves evenly across all strokes and distances, Melissa Dolby (25-29yrs) enjoying her final year as an inaugural Master in a heated conflict with Basingstoke's superstar and Commonwealth Games recognised Erin Robertson. The Bluefin did manage to get the better of the newly-named Halford-Dolby over the 50m FC (00.27.71), 50m Fly (00.29.86) and 100m IM (01.11.38), but steam ran out for Robertson come the 100m Fly (01.08.27) allowing Dolby to secure her much deserved County title. Issy Lyon-Maris (25-29yrs) faced similar challenges from Robertson, settling for a bold Bronze over the 50m Backstroke (00.35.41) before going one better in the 100m Backstroke (01.16.51). Matt Nash (25-29yrs) stepped up beyond the 50m mark to claim a surprise Gold in the 200m FC (02.23.05) ahead of the favoured 100m Fly (01.07.38).

Fiona Carroll (30-34yrs) battled back from both knee and back injuries for her first pool swim of 2024, rewarded with a trio of Silvers over the 50m FC (00.31.35), 50m Breaststroke (00.42.07) and 100m FC (01.07.19), whilst Hannah Darbyshire (30-34yrs) battled back somewhat differently with her first pool swim since becoming a Mum...a pair of Golds over the 50m Backstroke (00.35.91) and 100m Backstroke (01.20.42) the reward. Carl Halford (30-34yrs) made it a hat-trick of titles over the 100m FC (00.59.31), 200m FC (02.05.61) and fine 200m IM (02.28.56), his 50m FC (00.26.94) bumping team mate Eliot Neal down to Bronze come the touch (00.27.87). Belasco returned for Seasons Bests over the 100m FC (01.15.10) and 100m IM (01.28.73) to make it a podium place of every colour, adding Bronze and Silver respectively, combined with a much-welcomed comeback from Sebastian Brindley (35-39yrs) impressively sprinting his way to Gold over the 50m FC (00.25.96) in a flooded field. Always good to see the stalwart Cunio name amongst the heat sheets, Joe Cunio (50-54yrs) snatching Bronze over the 50m FC (00.30.86) as warm up for his relay appearances. Vintage training mate Amanda Rush (55-59yrs) slipped comfortably back into title winning habit over the 50m Backstroke (00.36.86), 100m Backstroke (01.23.29) and 50m FC (00.34.00), with shared age-grouper Tarrant matching over the 100m Breaststroke (01.40.63). Finally, classic quality came in the form of Richard Osman (65-69yrs) with two Golds over 50m Backstroke (00.54.99) and 50m Breaststroke (01.05.34), the latter equalled by Strictly Come Dancing partner Maria Bunce (70-74yrs) and her sterling effort over 50m Breaststroke (01.05.07). Tim O'Brien (70-74yrs) continued his impressive run of form, becoming the only Sotonian to win a quadruple title haul over mainstream distances - 50m FC (00.33.74), 100m FC (01.16.76), 200m FC (02.49.71) and 50m Breaststroke (00.44.16), cementing his claim as one of the most prominent Septugenarians in British Masters swimming. 

Everyone knows that all the fun happens during the relays...72yrs, 120yrs and 200yrs+, with CSSC Masters having a resolute record when it comes to select quartets. Having missed out marginally last year, the team of Halford/Dolby/Nash/Lyon-Maris snatched both the 4 x 50 FC and Medley titles over a sharp Wildern Waves rival - some trophyware heading back to The Quays cupboard in the form of the Swim England 150-year Anniversary sheilds! The 120yrs+ was a dominant Basingstoke Bluefin masterclass, but a fierce fight from Brindley/Carroll/Darbyshire/Neale ensured second placing was never in doubt...similarly, the might of South Down Trojans over 200yrs+ overpowered the Cunio/Rush/MacTavish/Tarrant grouping, but sneaking onto the podium at least meant that Southampton had medal winning representation over all age-divisions. The 200yrs+ was so strong, we even pulled together a complementary 'B' team through Belasco/Bunce/O'Brien/Osman...few County clubs can claim depth like that!

A busy month for the whole squad (and its organisers...trust me, every year it gets harder and harder to rally the much needed volunteer and officials support to make these events run, and as always, my sincere gratitude to those that make the effort!) but a wonderful template set for next year where with a little encouragement, Hampshire, the Channel Islands and our friends across the Armed Forces could make this localised championship one of the best in the UK!

MEDAL TALLY:

GOLD : 34

SILVER : 20

BRONZE : 7

TOTAL : 61

James MacTavish

CSSC Masters Coach