Cambridge Dive Team sign off for 2022 with successful pair of events

Parkside Pools in Cambridge recently held Cambridge Dive Team’s annual novice event.

The competition was a chance for the club’s inexperienced divers to practice their ‘dive lists’ and perform their skills in a competitive atmosphere.

In Group E, with most of the competitors featuring in just their second or third competition, there was a tight battle for bronze and silver between Digby Bord and Melodie Meeds.

It was eventually Meeds that came out on top to finish second with a score of 129.20, just ahead of Bord on 129.10.

But both of those were behind gold medal winner Emila Wright, who had a comfortable lead thanks to her score of 134 points.

In Group D, Annie Powell and Seth Wilkinson went head-to-head in the fight for a gold medal.

After a closely fought contest it was Wilkinson who triumphed with a score of 137.80, just ahead of Powell on 134.25.

Jack Halls took home gold in Group C after racking up a score of 151, with the silver medal going to Harry Rayner on 140.35, while in Group B it was Eva Tsang that came out on top, winning the gold medal courtesy of her score of 197.25.

A score of 180.05 was enough for Yuzu Baxendale to clinch silver, followed by William Tibbatts winning bronze with a score of 168.40.

Head coach Alice Clarke said: “It was great to see the novice divers enjoying themselves at the competition.

“It’s important for the novice divers to compete and learn how to handle the competition nerves. The future is looking bright for the club’s novice squads.”

In what has been a busy period of competitive action for the club, they also recently hosted the Harley Winster tournament at the Cambridge Diving Development Centre.

This year’s event featured four categories, with the first being the Minis, made up of the club’s younger members.

Gabriella Aldridge was crowned the champion with silver and bronze going to Hilary Cheung and James Hughes respectively.

Thirteen divers competed in the Novice section, which featured a variety of skills performed over the poolside, 1m, 3m and platform board, with some divers choosing to execute jumps from the 5m platform.

Florence Tibbatts finished ahead of the rest of the field with a score of 142.40 to win gold, while Ryan Church took silver with 130.80 and Etienne Bloomfield secured bronze with 129.70.

Charlie Tibbatts was the gold medal winner in the Junior category with a convincing score of 198.90.

He achieved the biggest score of the competition – 57.60 – after executing a one-and-a-half somersault with a one-and-a-half twists from the 3m springboard.

Daisy Maddocks-Hunt’s performance was good enough to earn her a score of 134.95 and the bronze medal, while silver went to Tobi Fayomi with a score of 176.45.

The event concluded with the Senior competition, in which seven divers took part.

There was not much to split the divers throughout the six rounds, but eventually it was Rufus Bord who finished top of the podium with his score of 228.25.

Daisy Hall finished not far behind in second with a score of 221.85, followed by the bronze medal going the way of Amelia Aldridge, who recorded a score of 205.40.

Head coach Clarke added: “The meet was a very successful event with lots of divers taking part and lots of happy smiling faces.

“It was a really good way for us to round out our year and its great for our athletes to compete on some home ground in front of friends and family.”