Off to a flying start

MEMBERS of Oldham Aquatics swimming team made an excellent start to the season, collecting 44 medals at the Wirral Metro Open Meet at the Europa Pool, Birkenhead.

The medal haul comprised 18 golds, 19 silvers and seven bronze.

Olivia Askew struck gold in the 11-years 800, 200, 100 and 50-metre freestyle events, and also won the 100m butterfly.

And she added silver medals in the 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke.

Kyle Clegg was a double gold medal winner in the same age group in the 100 and 200m breaststroke events and collected silver in the 400m IM.

Brad Ratcliffe had a hat-trick of gold medal wins in the 12-years 50m freestyle, 100metre butterfly and 200m individual.

And he added silver in the 100 and 400m freestyle and 100m breaststroke, and bronze in the 200m metre.

In the same age group, Caitlin Wareing won bronze in the 1,500m freestyle.

Jessica Fullalove was a double gold medal winner in the 13-years 100 and 200m butterfly and collected silver in the 100 and 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle and 200m IM.

Team-mate Rhiannon Prestage won gold in the 50 and 100m freestyle, silver in the 200m freestyle and bronze in the 200m IM and 100m backstroke.

Francesca Chiappe took silverin the 400m IM, adding bronze in the 100m freestyle.

Harry Entwistle was a four-time silver medal winner in the 14-years 50, 100, 200 and 400m freestyle, while Sophie Kenny struck gold in the 15-years’ 800m freestyle and silver in the 200m butterfly.

Matt Shipp (17) had a hat-trick of wins in the 200, 400 and 1500m freestyle events and collected silver in the 200m backstroke and bronze in the 400m IM.

George Morreal won bronze in the 100m backstroke.