Halton swimmers perform brilliantly to win first gala in Echo Cup

HALTON Swimming Club were in action in the first gala of the new season, taking part in the annual COLSC Echo Cup held at Everton Park Sports Centre in Liverpool.

A young inexperienced squad, some swimming in a gala for the first time, performed brilliantly.

Halton led from the first race to the last, the cannon bringing the gala to a close with a deafening roar.

Halton were up against some strong opposition so it was a fantastic achievement to secure first place with Hoylake finishing in the runners-up spot, some 30 points behind.

There were some brilliant performances from all swimmers who amassed 18 personal bests and a large points total which sets them up well for the second gala.

In what was a great team performance it is difficult to single out any individual swimmer but special mentions must go to Ben Clayton, Joshua Howard-Hughes, Beth Howard-Hughes, Leah Galligan, Alfie Mather, Rhys Croasdale, Ruby Pritchard and Ruben Sumner who amassed no less than 13 first places between them.

Besides these first place finishes there were also 11 second places and four third places, helping Halton to stand first in the overall rankings.

Round two takes place on September 25 with Halton hoping to replicate this win to help them achieve a place in the final on the November 13.