Driffield were back swimming in the Ridings Gala series on 20th May in Bridlington and they were back with a bang. This season had seen near misses and disqualifications hinder Driffield’s progress but in this fixture greater discipline along with steely determination and a little luck saw a comfortable second place, behind all conquering York, and five points clear of Bridlington in third. Consistent second and third places along with a smattering of wins, both for individuals and the relay teams meant for enjoyable watching for the teams partisan followers.
The first win of the meet was by the girls 14 and under medley team, which included a flying second leg of breast stroke from Grace Ogden. This was soon followed by the boys open age medley team including a superb anchoring leg by para-swimming prospect, Nathan Brown. An individual win for Isaac Barker in the boys open age 50m backstroke, in a new Personal Best of 31.38, soon followed. Connor Gardener followed up with a win in the boys open age 50m freestyle, taking the team into a slender second place at the halfway stage.
Another first and another PB for Isaac Barker in the boys open breaststroke started a glut of wins including Hattie Slingsby taking a first place in the girls 12 and under freestyle in a speedy 38.63 second PB. Grace Ogden improved on her PB to win the girls 14 and under breastroke and there were wins in the open age group butterfly for Connor Gardener and Amber Scott in the boys and girls races respectively, with a huge new best time for the latter. The final win of the meet fell to the boys open age group relay team, with Connor Gardener completing a dramatic turnaround to snatch it at the end. The points gained see the team into third in the table, above South Hunsley, and closing on Bridlington, heading into the final fixture of the season.