Nomads produce masterful display

The 18-strong squad were out to improve on their seventh-place finish in 2014 and fifth spot in 2015, and did not disappoint with their 89 personal best times to come second overall behind Basingstoke.

Head coach John Molyneaux said: ‘The swimmers were master class and to place second was a brilliant achievement.

‘It was a challenging target competing against 15 other clubs, many of whom have very strong established masters squad over many years.

‘The masters squad is a friendly bunch of all ages and abilities. It was fantastic to see the swimmers supporting and cheering each other on, as well as children coming along to watch their parents swim.’

Much was expected of those who competed at the recent European Masters Championships, particularly championship winners Joanna Corben and John Molyneaux, who between them won 15 gold and four silver medals at the local competition.

Corben, who entered 10 individual events, was by far the most successful swimmer in the 45-49 age group.

And although expected to win the backstroke events, she also gained valuable points for the team in the breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and the individual medley.

The clubs’ newly-appointed head coach, John Molyneaux, led by example as he chipped in with seven individual gold medals in the 25-29 age group.

He won gold medals in the 50m and 100m backstroke, 50m and 100m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle and the 100m individual medley.

Team-mate, and wife, Laura Molyneaux helped the cause with five gold and five silver medals to add to her successful outing at the Europeans.

Another of the Euro squad also impressed, Noemie Peignon, who was in fine form and competed over some of her weaker events, winning gold in the 100m breaststroke, 100m backstroke and individual medley. She also added a further two gold and two silver medals to the team’s effort.

The youngest member of the squad, Jess Davies, competed in the 18-24 years age group, which she dominated with six gold medals from her six events.

The team’s eldest competitor, Phil Disley, competing in the 50-54 years, was another to be in great shape as he won five gold and three silver medals.

Triple gold medal wins came from Paul Rowan, together with two silver and one bronze in the 35-39 year age group.

Stuart Wass had a great weekend with an impressive 100m freestyle, achieving a very respectable gold medal time of 56.02secs.

Wass also won two silver medals behind Laura Molyneaux in the 50m backstroke and 50m Freestyle.

Claire Tagg, another of the European Masters team competed in the same age group as Corben and was successful in winning four silver and one bronze.

Other medal-winning performances came from Clive Marquis (bronze), Ian Dickson (two silver), Andy Green (three bronze) and Dan Alberts (two bronze) in individual events.

Valuable points were also added to the total, with minor placings from Gemma Knipe, Ruth Bannister, Michael Andrews, Vince Hewitt and Lisa Mortimore.

Mixed relay medals were also achieved, with Nomads claiming silver in the 72-plus 100m team medley, as well as silver in the 72-plus and 120-plus 100m team freestyle.