Yabbies have been left high and dry

The Cobar Yabbies Senior Men’s Swimming Club had another successful season but it was one that was unfortunately cut short by COVID-19 restrictions which forced the early closure of the pool.

COVID-19 restrictions also delayed this season’s presentations which were finally held last night.

With a near-perfect attendance record and a consistent performance throughout the season, Murray Harland was a clear winner for the Curly Solomon Overall Club Champion award. Harland finished the 2019/2020 season with a big tally of 210 points, well ahead of Bill Fugar with 177 points in second place and Chris Powell with 149 points in third place.

Harland, with 80 points, also collected the Russell Harland 50m Memorial Shield finishing once again well ahead of his nearest rivals, Matt Harland with 55 points and Fugar on 54 points.

Murray Harland also claimed the 100m Phil Knuckey Memorial Shield with a tally of 67 points. He pipped Powell for the prize with Powell recording 62 points and Fugar was third with 59.

Fugar upset Murray’s winning streak when he took home the 30m Cobar Bowling & Golf Club Shield with 64 points ahead of Harland on 63.

Peter Christen was third with 54 points.

Christen collected the Ian Settree One Night Stand award after finishing with the lowest combined time in any night.

Christen’s best time was 0.31 seconds off his nominated times.

Fugar was second with 0.38 and Cameron van Bruegel was third with 0.41.

In addition to presentations the club also held their annual general meeting.

In his president’s report, John Carswell outlined the members success at the annual Five Way Swim, the Setts Cup Carnival and the Western Districts AIF Carnival.

The Yabbies travelled to Gosford for the Five Way Swim in November 2019.

In the President’s Race John Carswell finished 3rd; Paul Swainston won the 100 metres freestyle handicapped swim with Andrew Watts finishing in 3rd place; Cameron Van Breugel finished out in front in the 50 metre Scratch; and the club’s 10 man relay team took out the 10×50 metre Main Event Aqualcoholics Shield.

The Nyngan Splashers hosted the 2019 Setts Cup in December and once again the Yabbies won it (for the 5th consecutive year).

Cobar’s cleaned up in the 50 metres event finishing 1st (Paul Swainston), 2nd (Andrew Watts) and 3rd (Lucas Hardy); John Carswell won the 100m event with Swainston 3rd; and John Claus was also 3rd in the 30m swim; and Cobar also won the Brace Relay which helped them to retain the Setts Cup.

Cobar hosted the Western Districts AIF Carnival, sponsored by Peak Gold Mines, in February this year.

In the President’s Handicap John Carswell finished second; Cameron van Breugel was second in the 50 metre Open Handicap, 50 metre Open Scratch and 100m Handicap events; Lucas Hardy won the 50 metre Open Scratch; and in the 100 metre Handicap John Carswell finished 1st with Stephen Clark 3rd.

The Cobar team was a clear winner of the 4 x 50 metre Scratch Relay and finished second in the 10 x 50 metre Handicap Relay. Forbes Diggers were the overall carnival winners.