Chard and District Swimming Club competed at the Avalon Open Meet at Millfield School and won the trophy for Top Visiting Club, writes Stephy Hallam.

Chard and District Swimming Club competed at the Avalon Open Meet at Millfield School. After snatching an early lead in the competition, they continued to perform well and were successful in winning the trophy for 'Top Visiting Club' yet again.

Jake Hallam, 14, gained his three SWRQTs, in the 100m breaststroke (1.17.11); the 200m butterfly where he achieved a time of (2.32.18) and his best performance of the day was in the 100m butterfly where he again smashed his 14 yrs and under club record with a new time of 1.03.83. He won all of the above events for the 14/15 yrs age group along with the 50m breaststroke.

Jamie Pullinger, 11, showed talent in the backstroke, collecting two SWRQTs in the 100m backstroke (1.21.56) and a time of 2.51.02 in the 200m backstroke event. Jamie won the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, was second in the 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke and 50m butterfly, and third in the 50m backstroke and 200m I/M.

Luke van den Barselaar, 14, obtained his SWRQT in the 200m backstroke with a time of 2.31.36. Luke won the 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle and 200m I/M, and second in the 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, and 100m butterfly.

Lewis Pearson, 10, picked up gold medals in the 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, and 200m I/M and bronze in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly.

Hannah Pullinger, 14, won golds in the 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, and 50m backstroke. She also picked up a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle.

Oliver Bilbie, 11, won the 100m backstroke, was second in the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke, and third in the 200m backstroke.

Abigail Dare, 13, bagged a gold medal in the 100m butterfly and silver in the 100m backstroke.

Steph Hallam, 16, enjoyed success with a silver in the 100m backstroke and a bronze in the 50m backstroke.

l Top six medallists in their respective age groups (9, 10,11,12,13 yrs, 14/15 yrs, 16yrs & over) were: Bea Brett, 9, ; Leo Kindred, 9; Lewis Pearson, 10; Charlie Kendall, 10; Susan Ross, 10; Iain Ross, 10; Jamie Pullinger, 11;

Oliver Bilbie, 11; Jay Kindred, 12; Abigail Dare, 13; Lauren Harrison, 13;

Jake Hallam, 14; Luke van den Barselaar, 14; Hannah Pullinger, 14; Ben Fowler, 14; Steph Hallam, 16.

Ryan Adair, Sarah Underwood, Mollie Simpson, Lauren Real, and Laura Coombs.