Trio of Southampton Masters lift Hampshire / Channel Islands to Top.10 ranking

The calendar season for British Masters comes to its typically tense, but tremendous conclusion with the annual Inter-County Masters Championships - the South East Region once more travelling to the Captial and the celebrated London Aquatics Centre. Despite now being a firm venue fixture, each year, one of the seven county districts has the responsibility of hosting, meaning more officials / volunteers / admin staff from said host to get the event up and running...2025 saw Hampshire and the Channel Islands take their turn! 

With the unfortunate circumstances surrounding usual Masters Regional Lead, Glen Isaacs (now thankfully on the mend!), there was a considerable amount of behind-the-scenes activity, as Discipline Secretary James MacTavish liasied constantly with Event Lead, Brian Deval (Sussex), and Technical Officer, Nick Hallam (Middlesex) to ensure all went as smoothly as possible on the Armistice Sunday (yes, 2 minutes silence rightfully observed). In addition, Martin Bennell and Spencer Turner of Basingstoke Bluefins did their regular, sterling efforts in pulling together a bit of a rag-tag County Masters team beset with injuries and illness...! It was fair to say, come the day, Hampshire was not at its strongest, but ready for a fight to try to make it four titles in row at the Olympic pool. 

Southampton Masters saw three call ups - Melissa Halford (30-34yrs) dashing her way to second place over the 50m Butterfly (00.29.10) behind the familiar, friendly name of Elizabeth Grey (Oxfordshire - in what I believe was their sole win of the afternoon). Amanda Rush (55-59yrs) matching over the 50m Backstroke (00.37.54), stepping in for a poorly Jo Corben, likewise for a most welcome Kim Tarrant (55-59yrs), whose debut 50m Butterfly (00.40.98) earned some well needed points for the Red/Yellow contingent, together with her more settled 50m Breaststroke (00.45.25) and Top.5 finish. The trio packed in some fiesty relays as well...the Ladies 180yrs+ FC the only relay win of the afternoon for the Team. 

Reason being, Surrey ASA was utterly implacable, a must-be record winning streak of over 35 events out of a possible 70. A phenomonal range of age divisions, and an envous dominance of all but two relay combinations. No surprise, that come the end of two hour session and despite incredible efforts from all rival six counties, the Blue/Yellow chequers pattern was waving high and proud - the first time since 1998 that the district had claimed the Regional Inter-County title. 

The success didn't stop there for the Royal Borough either...as the National results rolled in over the coming weeks, Surrey quite rightfully claimed the top spot! A stunning win for the 'occasional' Southampton Master, Laura Kerrigan, in her fifth year of Masters Management. She also smashed her 10km Marathon Swim the Saturday before as well! 

Hampshire / Channel Islands did not disappoint ... a tooth-and-nail battle with Middlesex had the stretched team claim second place in the Region, and Seventh place Nationally. Given our troubles with star swimmers (especially in the 65yrs+ division, congratulations to all last minute call ups...including those parents that hadn't swum in nearly two decades!), a result to be celebrated. The Team had seven individual wins - Chris Jones (Portsmouth Northsea) / Martin Bennell (Basingstoke Bluefins) / Spencer Turner (Basingstoke Bluefins) / Fleur Turner (Basingstoke Bluefins) / Sarah Hunt (Basingstoke Bluefins) / Conor Osoborough (Guernsey SC) / Lizzie Godfrey (Basingstoke Bluefins)...from the group, Bennell/Godfrey also recorded the fastest times Nationally over their 50m Breastroke and 50m Backstroke respectively. 

The stage is already set for 2026, where Hampshire / Channel Islands, together with friends from the Armed Forces, will be back and ready to reclaim the title!

FINAL POINTS (NAT RANKING):

Surrey : 461 (1st)

Hampshire / Ch.Is : 333 (7th)

Middlesex : 301 (9th)

Berkshire / Buckinghamshire : 293 (8th)

Sussex : 254 (11th)

Kent : 221 (13th)

Oxfordshire / N.Bucks : 163 (19th)

James MacTavish

CSSC Masters Coach