‘Exceptional group’ hailed as Guildford City win National Arena Swimming League

Triumphant head coach Lee Spindlow hailed his ‘exceptional group of swimmers, coaches and support staff’ as Guildford City won the 54th National Arena Swimming League Cup Final.

The Surrey-based club managed to pull away in the final two events at the Cardiff International Pool to take the win by seven points from runners-up Mount Kelly, who were only nine points in front of third-place Millfield.

Three clubs had shared the lead throughout the competition but it was Guildford who came out on top.

That was in part to their performances in the team races as they also lifted the relay trophy for the best aggregate combined score.

Spindlow said: “This is a victory for an exceptional group of swimmers, coaches and support staff. 

“We have a hard-working team developing a club that caters for all levels from performance through to participation.

Good to perform well

“We raced against the best clubs and school programmes in the country and it feels good to perform well under pressure.

“The National Arena  Swimming League competition is fiercely contested and today was no different. 

“We want to congratulate all the teams who took part over the course of the weekend and arena for their support.”

To round off a clean sweep, Guildford also claimed the awards for the top male and female swimmers of the meet. 

Lewis Burras scored 864 points for his 49.19 100m Freestyle swim, while Tatiana Belonogoff lifted the women’s award for 869 points in the 100m Breaststroke in a time of 1:07.18. 

Cup Final Points

1. Guildford City 382
2. Mount Kelly 375
3. Millfield 366
4. Repton 334
5. Chelsea Westminster 268
6. Wycombe District 262
7. RTW Monson 233
8. City of Cardiff 226
9. City of Peterborough 181
10. Stockport Metro 179