On Saturday 12th December, Ripley Rascals competed in the third and final round of the Nottinghamshire Autumn League at Water Meadows in Mansfield. Having won the two previous rounds and already beaten the nearest rivals Carlton Forum, Rascals were hoping that their twenty-point lead would be sufficient to regain the title. Unfortunately this was not the case, as Carlton Forum fielded a very strong squad that was also in tremendous form, proving just too good for Rascals on the night. Nevertheless, Carlton Forum’s Chief Coach paid tribute to Rascals swimmers for “a great competition in the final of the Notts & District league, with a great and exciting night of racing”. In recognition of Rascals excellent performance, Ripley McDonalds (Rascals sponsor) invited Rascals swimmers to a complementary meal after the last training session before Christmas to celebrate their achievements, which proved a real treat for the swimmers!

Although Rascals finished second the Nottinghamshire Autumn League, there were still a number of excellent swims, with fourteen 1st placings, which included: -

Edward Borysiak (11 Years) - 50m Back and 50m Free; Jamie Ingram (11 Years) - 25m Fly; Boys 11 Years and Under Freestyle and Medley Relay Team (Edward Borysiak, Jamie Ingram, George Spendlove and Joseph Byrne); Molly Renshaw (13 Years) - 50m Breast; Hannah Jones (12 Years) - 50m Fly; Boys 13 Years and Under Freestyle Team (Josh Bee-Tong, Sam Oates, George Coutts and Edward Borysiak); Jessica Cross (14) - 50m Back; Molly Renshaw (13) - 50m Breast (15 Years and under); Girls 15 Years and Under Medley Relay Team (Jessica Cross, Molly Renshaw, Amber Jackson and Hannah Jones); Dominic Bestwick (14) - 50m Back and 50m Free; Boys 15 Years and Under Freestyle Team (Dominic Bestwick, William Borysiak, Xander Parr and Sam Oates).

There were also eight Personal Best times (PBs), which included: -

Laura Magill (11 Years) - 25m Fly; Melissa Coulton (11 Years) - 50m Free; Jamie Ingram (11 Years) - 25m Fly; Olivia Strachan (13 Years) - 50m Free; George Coutts (13 Years) - 50m Fly; Molly Renshaw (13 Years) - 50m Breast; Amber Jackson (14 Years) - 50 Fly; Adam Forster (17 Years) - 50m Fly.