Walton And Murphy's Synchronised Gold Gathering 

Faversham Swimming Club’s Synchronised Swimming section held their annual championships recently. The evenings fine weather attracted a generous crowd of spectators, who were treated to some outstanding performances from the club’s members.

This year the championships took on an Olympic theme. Three team routines were performed to a selection of music chosen by the girls. Team Wenlock included Poppy Boorman, Ruby Scott, Dervla Murphy and Ella Jameson. Team Manderville incorporated Nicole Collins, Lauren Scott, Molly Stemp, Emily Ing and Georgia Collins. Team Pride included Megan Walton and Georgia Harlow.

The beginners over 11 years figure competition was won by Dervla Murphy with her perfect performances including an Oyster, Tub and back tub somersault giving her a points total of 56.87. Second place was snatched by Poppy Boorman with a total of 55.03 points and third place was awarded to Ella Jameson on 50.87 points.

The juniors routine involved a Front tuck somersault, Back tuck somersault and Bent knee alternate. Eleven year old Emily Ing’s performance delighted the crowd and judges, earning her first place on 55.00 points. Lauren Scott took second place with 54.57 points, close on her heels was Ruby Scott on 54.21 points. Molly Stemp took forth place with 53.67 points.

The intermediate group winner was thirteen year old Nicole Collins who’s set included a Ballet leg single, Back pike somersault and Front pike somersault, her performance earned her 55.79 points. Nicole’s younger sister Georgia, aged 12 years, took second place on 54.98 points.

The senior group saw some wonderful movements from Megan Walton and Georgia Harlow who each performed a Blossom, Walkover front and Flamingo position. Both girls gave a very high quality performance, the judges could barely split the girls on points. But it was Megan who narrowly scooped first place on 56.86 points, with Georgia following very close behind her in second place on 56.59 points.

Megan Walton produced yet another dream performance, with some remarkably complex moves, in the solo competition earning her first place on 87.09 points. Eleven year old Emily Ing was all smiles as she took second place on 85.17 points. Whilst first time soloist Poppy Boorman received third place on 84.01. All three girls performances included multiple movements of high quality co-ordination which they had individually choreographed themselves to their own choice of music.

The Duets cup was won by Dervla Murphy and Emily Ing on 85.63 points, who’s impeccable performance just couldn’t be faulted. Second place winners Poppy Boorman and Ruby Scott, with 83.53 points, were beaming during their routine which included some very elaborate moves being accomplished which left them just ahead of third place winners Molly Stemp and Lauren Scott on 83.28 points, who also choreographed a splendid show of manoeuvres.

The championships trophies were presented by Lawrence and Karen Young, representing the Queensborough Fisheries Trust, who had kindly given the club a grant towards the purchase of a new sound system. The swimming club President, Sally Robertson, was also on hand to assist.

Synchronised swimming secretary Mrs. Dot Neame acknowledged the hard work accomplished by the girls and commented “ The championships this year was a close fought competition with three of the swimmers taking part for the first time. The Olympic themed routines and costumes made for a very good display for the spectators to watch, we all had a very enjoyable evening “.