Bailey and Crookes seal one-two for Southampton

Southampton scooped an impressive one-two as Thomas Bailey and Rhys Crookes claimed Group B 3m Springboard gold and silver on the final day of the 2015 ASA National Age Group Diving Championships in Sheffield.

There are some really good divers here so I thought I wouldn’t have a chance!

The two Southampton divers scored 284.75 and 272.10 respectively to finish ahead of Crystal Palace’s 1m champion Pele Julien on 267.25.

Bailey’s consistency throughout the rounds shone through as the 13-year old received 6, 6.5 or 7 from all five judges for six of his seven dives; the only exception a 5.5 from one judge on his highest tariff dive, an inward 2 ½ somersaults with tuck.

“I’m really pleased with that – I wasn’t expecting to win at all so I’m very happy,” said Bailey, whose medal was his first in an individual event at ASA National Age Group level.

“There are some really good divers here so I thought I wouldn’t have a chance!

“My dives weren’t actually going that well in training. Some of them were a bit off so I’m incredibly pleased that they went so well in competition.”

Joseph Pashley completes golden hat-trick in Group C

Joseph Pashley completed his hat-trick of golds as he took the Group C Platform title in the last event of the competition.

The 12-year old City of Sheffield diver has had a meet to remember at his home pool, having also won the individual 1m Springboard and teamed up with Frankie Curtis for gold in the 1m Synchro.

And Pashley was the standout diver again as he completed his hat-trick from the Platform, scoring 229.10 to take top honours ahead of Curtis (211.70) and Southend’s 3m Springboard champion Max Lano (199.95).

Eden Cheng landed her second gold of the competition with victory in the Girls Group C 3m Springboard.

The 12-year old, who won the Platform title earlier in the meet, scored 219.35 to take gold ahead of Southend’s Marney Easen on 210.45.

Guest diver Anna Power from Shamrock Diving Club in Ireland finished third on 207.35 while Cheng’s Crystal Palace teammate Ellie Beardall-Edmondson scored 199.50 to collect bronze.

  • Click here to view full results from the ASA National Age Group Diving Championships 2015.
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