27/28 February - More Success for Sutton and Cheam at the Surreys

Last weekend saw more success for our swimmers at the Surrey Championships. This time it was at Aldershot where the long distance events were being held.

We had swimmers competing in both the 800m and the gruelling 1500m events. There were great swims from both Harry "Big H" Brown and brother Alfie in the 800m events. Both recorded massive Long Course personal bests with Alfie narrowly missing out on a "top 8" ribbon.

James DeBrunner and Jacob Tidy both competed in the two events with each being awarded ribbons for both swims; James finishing 5th in each and Jacob managing a 5th and a 6th. As a result of the events to date (now half way through the Championships) we have a number of swimmers competing for age group points awards (BAGCATS).

Top of the list is 9 year old Michael "Muscles" Rees who leads his age groups points total, George Brown (victim of an unfortunate birth date), is running 4th in the 10 year old boys and James DeBrunner is currently 3rd in the 14 year group.

The Club as a whole stands 7th in the medal table with a total of 10 medals and 30 "top 8" ribbons.

27 February - Moyce Cup Gala at Dorking

The Club sent many of its younger up and coming swimmers from our Development and County squads to compete as a team in the Annual Moyce Cup event held at Dorking. All our swimmers were given Club Shirts to wear.

The event is designed to allow Clubs to give some of their younger and less experienced swimmers the chance to compete.

The team performed beyond expectations and in many cases swam quicker than the event criteria allow, getting no less than 7 "Speeding Tickets" for swimming too fast. The team finished 4th behind strong teams from as far afield as Tonbridge, Wey Valley and Godalming. Head Coach, Jim Walker, Junior Squad Coach, Helen Andrews and County Coach, Ian Rooke were there to cheer on the swimmers and to try and spot future talents.

Team Captains Josie McGreevy and Kieran Castle led by example with strong swims and also rallied the swimmers in cheering their team mates on.

The Team: Abigail Fraser, Adam Smith, Charlotte O'Sullivan, Connor Bowden, Declan Courtney, Elise Smith, Elizabeth Newman, Ellie Fisher, Georgina Bourley, Hamish Macrae, Issy Mettan-Ure, Jack Short, Josie McGreevy, Kieran Castle, Lauren Fisher, Louis Creamore, Molly Jordan, Nathan Cater, Oliver Sagrott, Rebecca Salter, Richard Jarvis, Robert Nolan, Roisin Bowden, Terri Martin, Thomas Salter, Tom Fisher.

Finally a big thank you to Dorking Swimming Club for their hospitality!

20/21 February - Super Surrey’s Start for Sutton & Cheam Swimmers

Sutton and Cheam Swimming Club have made their best start to the Surrey Age Group swimming championship winning 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze medals over the first weekend of competition.

Nine year old Michael Rees, in his debut championships, took the first honours in the 200 metre Breaststroke in a personal best of 3mins.27.86 secs. Minutes later William Ward cruised home to win the 10 years group in another personal best time of 3mins 16.41 secs, finishing an astonishing 14 secs ahead of the second place swimmer. Team Captain Ace Taylor (15) then contributed a silver medal in his age group in the same event.

In the evening Jacob Tidy (15) and James DeBrunner(14) took Silver and Bronze respectively in the toughest event of the day, the 200m Butterfly.

On Sunday Michael Rees swam into the limelight once again as he won 2 more Gold Medals in the 200m Backstroke and the 100m Individual Medley in the 9 yrs age group. William Ward picked up another Gold medal in the 10 yr group in the same event with George Brown fighting his way through the field to claim late Silver as well.

With personal bests being broken in most races Sutton’s swimmers can’t wait for the 50m sprint events to start in 3 weeks time at Crystal Palace.

In all, Sutton and Cheam have 32 swimmers entered in a record 175 events over the course of the Championships which run over several weekends until March 28th. With several genuine gold medal hopes across the age groups and with 10 medals won already it will be the club’s best showing in the Championships for many years, showing the huge strides made under coaches Jim Walker and Helen Andrews.

07-Feb Sutton & Cheam Girls retain League Title

An outstanding display by Sutton & Cheam's Junior (Under 18) Ladies Team on Sunday resulted in wins over Worthing (5-1), Croydon (3-1) and Beckenham (4-1), and a runaway Winter League Title for the third time in three years.

The win over Beckenham was particularly pleasing, reversing the result of an earlier round of the competition back in January, when the team lost 1-0, their only defeat of the season.

The game against Worthing was particularly noteworthy for a spectacular goal by goalkeeper, Amy Styles who, noting the opposition keeper off her line, lobbed her from her own goal line, 25 metres away! Amy's still smiling!

With two of the team's experienced players unavailable through conflicting commitments, Brooke Tafazolli 5), Alice Rogers (3), Rebecca Hedges (2), Eve Tidy (1) and Amy Styles (1) scored the goals but this was a performance based on superior swimming ability, fitness and teamwork, particularly in defence, in which every member stuck rigidly to the game plan, allowing the opposition very few shots on goal, mainly from long range.

Over the course of the season, the team had the enviable record Played 9, Won 8, Lost 1, Goals for 34, Goals against 7. To concede only 7 goals in 9 games was a magnificent achievement in itself, emphasising the team's highly organised defence, in which the whole team played a part.

The Team: Amy Styles, Rebecca Hedges, Ellie Quin, Sophie Ovens, Alice Rogers, Nicole Barron, Brooke Tafazolli, Eve Tidy, Reanna Howells and Ferne O'Brien.

06-February - Sutton's Under 12 Team pay the price for inconsistency

In the closest fought Under 12 Winter League competition ever, Sutton & Cheam's Under 12 team finally finished 4th with the record Played 12, Won 5, Drawn 3, Lost 4, when the League ended at Gurnell, Ealing on Saturday.

Defeats by Croydon (2-1) and West London/Ealing (also 2-1) and a good win over Watford (5-3) completed the season with Ashley Castle (4), Matthew Helps (2) and Michael Rees scoring the goals, whilst Ross James and Joe Phillpott-Clark shared goal-keeping duties at the other end.

Any one of 4 teams could have clinched the title right up until the last weekend of the season. However, Sutton paid the price for inconsistency; losing 3 games by a single goal during the season, as well as drawing three games they could just as easily have won if numerous missed chances had only been taken. However, Sutton's young team improved throughout the competition and showed their competitiveness with a hard-fought 3-3 draw with eventual Winter League winners, Beckenham; and a comfortable 4-2 win over second placed Hythe, during the course of the season.

This was particularly pleasing to coach Dave Andrews since 5 of the team will remain in the Under 12 age group next season.

The team was Natalie Andrew, George Brown, Ashley Castle, Matthew Helps, Ross James, James Maynard, Joe Phillpott-Clark, Michael Rees, Adam Smith.

24-January - Ladies Junior Team still top of the League

Sutton & Cheam's Junior Ladies Team maintained their position at the top of the Winter League table after the second round of matches at Whitgift. However defeat in the third of their matches means its still all to play for for the overall championship title.

In the first of their games Sutton's power eventually wore down a resolute Croydon side coming out 3-1 winners with 2 goals from Louise Bampton and 1 from Georgina Pashler. Suttons Eve Tidy had a couple of great chances deprived by the goalie in the first instance and then the post.

Ironically the second match finished 5-1 to Sutton against arguably their strongest opponents, Worthing. For much of the game little separated the two sides as Sutton failed to capitalize on some good chances with Reanna Howells testing the woodwork for Sutton and both Louise Bampton & Alice Rogers going close.

Eventually Sophie Ovens put Louise Bampton through to fire into the corner to open the scoring for Sutton. In the second half defensive frailties led to a Worthing equalizer but Sutton then broke down their opponents with a fine breakaway goal from the restart scored by Pashler. Alice Rogers then added to the score as Sutton finished on top.

The final game against Beckenham was a low key affair as Sutton wasted a number of chances and paid for the mistakes with a sucker blow whilst a player down. Sutton probably deserved something out of the game and with time ticking down, goalie Amy Styles produced a lovely pass to Rebecca Hedges who had lost her marker. Unfortunately 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper Rebecca skied the shot. A disappointing end to what had otherwise been a good days work.

The team was: Amy Styles, Rebecca Hedges, Ellie Quin, Louise Bampton, Sophie Ovens, Alice Rogers, Georgina Pashler, Brooke Tafazolli, Eve Tidy, Reanna Howells and Ferne O'Brien.

24 January - Great Performance by Under 12 Team at Watford

Sunday saw the Under 12 team at Watford Woodside Leisure Centre for the penultimate tournament of the Winter League. A below par 1-1 draw with home side Watford, followed by a 3-3 draw with Croydon set the team up nicely for a spirited 4-2 victory over Ealing in the last game of the day.

Ashley Castle (5), Matthew Helps (2) and a debut goal from James Maynard contributed to the scores with excellent defensive displays by Natalie Andrew, Ross James, Michael Rees, Joe Philpott-Clark, George Brown and Adam Smith. Natalie, Ross, Joe and Adam showed their versatility by taking turns in goal.

Coach Stephen Bayles was delighted with the performance and it's all to play for in two weeks time with any one of 4 teams in the running to take the title.

The team: Natalie Andrew, Ross James, Michael Rees, Matthew Helps, Ashley Castle, Joe Philpott-Clark, George Brown, James Maynard and Adam Smith.

23/24 January - Sutton boys help London Region to victory

Five of our highly successful 1993/94 club team were selected to play for the London Region Youth team at the recent National Inter-District event in Birmingham. The Sutton boys were Joe Worland, Jacob Tidy, Callum Donoghue, Jack and Josh Miller. To add to this Tom Phillpott-Clark was selected as non-travelling reserve. Sutton & Cheam's Alex Sutton, (London Region's first choice keeper) was unfortunately unavailable for selection due to a prior family commitment in Ireland.

London were placed in the "B" group competing against Regional teams from the South West, the West Midlands, the East and Wales.

The London team kicked off with a tightly fought match against the South West eventually running out 9-8 winners. The second match on Day 1 resulted in a runaway victory for London with a 25-3 victory over the West Midlands. On the Sunday London triumphed 9-4 over the East Region and finished the tournament with a comfortable 7-3 win over Wales.

All five of our lads contributed to the success, which will see London compete in the "A" group in 2011.

As a result of their play, both Jack and Jacob were picked as members of the tournaments combined 1st Seven "Dream Team".

23 January Presentation Evening

Over 200 members and parents were present at Saturday's annual Presentation Evening to see the Club Championship medallists, Age Group winners, 2010 Team Captains and "Jack Petchey Award " winners receive their awards and trophies from Matt Holland, Sutton and Cheam and GB goalkeeper.

The "Jack Petchey" Awards are presented to club members for outstanding achievement, or for exceptional contribution to the club.

Matt therefore presented the monthly Jack Petchey Award winners to Ashley Castle, Sam Baker, Isaac Tidy, Reanna Howells, Killian Courtney, Alfie Brown, Brooke Tafazolli and Kieran Bayles; and the Jack Petchey "Leader Award" to Andy Bayles, for his contribution to the club over many years. October's winner, Jack Miller, was unable to be there as he was competing for London Region at the Inter Region Youth Water Polo Championships in Walsall.

17 January - Under 16 Team finish 3rd

Sutton & Cheam's Under 16 team finished the Winter League in a disappointing 3rd Place on Sunday, largely the result of the unavailability of key players at various times throughout the season. The play-off games were no exception and with 2 players unavailable, the team was always going to be up against it. A 4-2 win in the first game against Beckenham raised expectations though this was followed by a 6-2 defeat by eventual League winners Watford, who fully deserved their win.

This left it all to play for in the second/third place decider against Croydon, with Sutton & Cheam shooting into a well-deserved 3-1 lead before Brooke Tafazolli was excluded by a dubious decision by the referee. This allowed Croydon back into the game, eventually winning 6-4. Jacob Tidy (7) and Ace Taylor (3) shared the goals between them.

Despite this, when at full strength, the team played well enough to deserve better, and with all but 3 of the team remaining Under 16 next year, it augurs well for the future.

The team was Mofe Wilkey, Jacob Tidy, James McFarlane, Luke Mason, Brooke Tafazolli, Eve Tidy, Reanna Howells, Michael Mason, and Ace Taylor.

16 & 17 January Tigersharks Swindon

Sutton & Cheam Swimmers returned from a great weekend at the Tigersharks Open in Swindon with 8 golds, 13 silver and 17 bronze medals, and not to mention a staggering 85 top 8 placings and 56 personal best swims. Coaches Jim Walker and Helen Andrews were over the moon with the results, which are great preparation for the Surrey County Championships, starting next month.

To cap a great weekend, Sutton & Cheam's parents won the 'prize' for the best supporters.

There were Gold Medals for James DeBrunner (4), Ace Taylor (2), Chris Carr & George Brown

Silvers for Jacob Tidy (2), James DeBrunner (2), William Ward (2), Natalie Andrew, Nicole Barron, Rosie Heape, Adam Smith, Ashley Castle, Chris Carr & George Brown

Bronzes for Chris Carr (2), George Brown (2), James DeBrunner (2), Rebecca Hedges (2), Adam Smith, Alfie Brown, Ashley Castle, Brooke Tafazolli, Elliot Kimber, Jacob Tidy, Michael Rees , Natalie Andrew & Nicole Barron

Close calls for Harry Brown, Ashley Castle, George Brown, Chris Carr, Louis Meffan, Jake Meffan, Ashley Castle, Elliot Kimber, Natalie Andrew, Rebecca Hedges & Brooke Tafazolli

The Team: Ace Taylor, Adam Smith, Alfie Brown, Ashley Castle, Brooke Tafazolli, Charlie Carr, Chris Carr, Daisy Meffan, Danielle Carbery, Elliot Kimber, Eve Tidy, George Brown, Harry Brown, Jacob Tidy, Jake Meffan, James De Brunner, Joe Phillpott-Clark, Katie Heape , Killian Courtney, Lois Martin , Louis Meffan, Michael Rees, Natalie Andrew, Nicole Barron, Rebecca Hedges, Rosie Heape , Ross James, Samuel Rees, William Ward

03/01/2010 - Great Start to the New Year!

Sutton & Cheam's Junior LadiesTeam got the New Year off to a flying start with 3 wins out of 3 on Sunday, placing them at the top of the Winter League table.

Victories over Worthing (5-1), Croydon (5-0) and Beckenham (4-0) were in fact somewhat tougher than the scorelines suggest; since in each game, there was only a single goal in it at half time. However the team's superior teamwork opened up the scoring during the second half of each game.

Particularly pleasing to coach Dave Andrews was the team's outstanding defence, ably marshalled by Brooke Tafazolli, which limited the opposition to very few scoring chances; the team only conceding a single goal over all three games.

Louise Bampton top-scored with 6 followed by Alice Rogers (4), Georgina Pashler (2), Brooke Tafazolli (1), and Eve Tidy (1). Both Ellie Quin and Rebecca Hedges had further excellent chances to increase the scoreline but for the woodwork; whilst Amy Styles was her usual immaculate self in goal.

The team was: Amy Styles, Rebecca Hedges, Ellie Quin, Louise Bampton, Sophie Ovens, Alice Rogers, Georgina Pashler, Brooke Tafazolli, Eve Tidy, Reanna Howells, and Ferne O'Brien.