Birmingham Lifesavers were in spectacular form for the penultimate British University Life Saving Clubs Association (BULSCA) league competition of the year held in Plymouth.
Birmingham ‘B’ went into the competition in the knowledge that a win would secure the league title with next term’s Loughborough competition in hand, this in mind they showed true fighting spirit in bringing the challenge to A teams from Universities across the country. Strong performances in both wet and dry incidents, finishing 3rd and 6th respectively, provided a good platform from which to consolidate their league position.
The C team achieved brilliant 9th and 8th places in the wet and dry incidents proving their first aid and aquatic rescue skills are deserving of a place of any mid table B team.
The A team were keen to show the rest of the Birmingham squad why they are leading the BULSCA league with dominating performances in both incidents claiming 1st place in the first two events of the day and allowing a glimpse of daylight to appear between themselves and the ever looming Warwick, not a point has separated these two teams since the Christmas break.
All three teams progressed to the speed events where it was the C team who provided a series of inspirational swims in the early heats for the remainder of the squad to replicate. Jess Dash, Ru Frith (c) and Kate Vousden found themselves tied for first at the final change-over of the medley relay before Tobi Werner finished what the girls had started; blowing the teams out of the water with a devastating final leg.
The victory in their heat giving the C team 8th position in the medley. The A team showed no mercy as James Newbon took the lead from the dive. They then continued to pull further away through Mark Basilington, Rebecca Sindall (c) and Luke Peel over the remaining three legs, winning comfortably. The B team were out touched by London A by a single 100th of a second to finish 3rd in the final medley results.
Finishing well inside the top ten on the Swim and Tow relay at 8th the C team showed steely determination to hold out for third position in their heat. The B team was not to be out done. Sarah Cousins (c), Andy Bently, Rebecca Ewers, and Sam O’Connor again found themselves in a tight battle with London A, pushing the team all the way before finishing third overall behind London and teammates Birmingham A.
The rope relay proved to be Birmingham’s weakest event all round, The A team touching in 4th, a surprise in an event in which they have been most consistent all season. The B team slipped to joint 6th and the C team finished outside the top ten in joint 12th.
After the incident results had been published, Birmingham’s form all season had again provided an elite set of final results. Birmingham C finished 10th after all events. The B team secured an 11 point league lead in the B lead, finishing 4th in Plymouth and on top of the other B teams. The A team secured a strong victory to put daylight between Warwick and themselves. A three-point margin gives them the opportunity to seal league victory next term in Loughborough.
The squad will compete in two week’s time in Bath for Student National Championships where they hope their form in the league will lead to similar results in the championship event.
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