Three-time National League Champions Stockport Metro won their second B final in five years after a gala that was almost as close as the cup final 24 hours later. As in the main event, the result was decided in the final event. In fact City of Leeds, the most successful club in the leagues History with 18 cup final wins were 11 points ahead before the final block of relays after leading for much of the gala. They were still in front with one race to go but Stockport’s men’s 6x50m freestyle team swung the points total for Stockport to finish four points in front.
Coach Martin Brooks, whose club won the 2012 final said: ‘It was disappointing that we weren’t in the A final this year but it was an opportunity to compete in the B final and win. We have high expectations of ourselves and we came her with the intention of winning and our team stepped up brilliantly. We always knew it was going to be close. We showed great strength in depth and made sure we were competitive in every relay. That’s what won it.’
Stockport dropped only one point in the four open relays and also won the 12/u medley relay. They also won the relay challenge but 15 seconds. Rebecca Pearson was a double winner in the 100 Breaststroke and 100 butterfly. Josh Crews’ win in the 12/u 50m Fly won him the age group prize. In the same age group Amy West won the 50m Breaststroke. Wins also came from Liam Selby in the men’s 100m butterfly and Elizabeth Harris in the 16/u 100m Freestyle.
Final Points Score – Top Club
1. Stockport Metro 349
2. City of Leeds 345
3. City of Oxford 218
Relay Challenge
1. Stockport Metro 33:22.16
2. City of Oxford 33:38.33 (+15.17)
3. City of Leeds 33:40.64 (+17.47)
Top Age Group Award
Joshua Crews – 11/Under
Race Winners
Amy West 12/Un 50m Breaststroke
Josh Crews 12/Un 50m Butterfly
Rebecca Pearson 14/Un 100m Breaststroke
Rebecca Pearson 14/Un 100m Butterfly
Elizabeth Harris 16/Un 100m Freestyle
Liam Selby Open 100m Butterfly
Winning Relay Teams
Girls 12/Un Medley Relay
Women’s Open Medley Relay
Men’s Open Medley Relay
Women’s 6×50 Freestyle Relay