A squad of 34 swimmers represented Chard Swimming Club in a successful Round 1 of the Western Division National Swimming League held in Weston-super-Mare in October, writes Heather Pullinger.

Chard fought a close duel in the pool against rivals Carn Brea gaining an outstanding twenty-four top three positions in the fifty events, with seven first positions. This performance enabled them to finish second overall, producing a great result on their first appearance after promotion to Division One last season.

Individual top three places went to: In the Open section; Tessa Down, 17, first in the 100m breaststroke, Melissa Hanson, 16, second in the 100m backstroke and third 200m individual medley, Hannah Pullinger, 18, third in the 100m freestyle.

In the 15/Under section; Lewis Pearson, 15, first in the 100m freestyle and second in the 100m backstroke, Bea Brett, 14, first in the 100m butterfly and also second on the 100m backstroke, Hope Horsfield , 15, second in the 100m freestyle and Xanteh Dyer, 13, third in the 100m breaststroke.

In the 13/Under category; Henry Taswell, 13, first in the backstroke and 100m freestyle, Leo Kindred, 13, first in the 100m breaststroke, Joss Copeman, 13, third in the 100m butterfly, Xanthe Dyer, 13, third in the 100m breaststroke and Baylei Callow, 13, third in the 100m butterfly.

In the 11/Under section; Millie Downes, 10, first in the 50m breaststroke.

The relay teams also showed some determined swimming, with seven top three positions including a first place going to the boys 13/Under medley team of Henry Taswell, Leo Kindred, Joss Copeman and Simon Davis, and second place to both the girls and boys 15/Under freestyle teams, the boys 15/Under medley team and the Boys 13/Under freestyle team. Both the girls and boys open freestyle teams secured third place in very closely fought final relays.

Full Team: Girls: Hannah Pullinger, Tessa Down, Melissa Hanson, Lauren Harrison, Susan Ross, Hope Horsfield, Flo Swan, Bea Brett, Xanthe Dyer, Megan Herbert, Baylei Callow, Briana Barrand, Millie Downes, Abi Greenslade, Harriet Copeman, Imogen Waterhouse.

Boys: Joe Spurway, Oliver Bilbie, Jamie Pullinger, Jay Kindred, Lewis Pearson, Iain Ross, Ben Greenslade, Oliver Lenthall, Henry Taswell, Leo Kindred, Simon Davis, Joss Copeman, Oliver Rodger, Oliver Bright, Louis Rood , Jimmy Brett Jamie Porter, Will Hawkins.

Congratulations to all the swimmers for a great performance, and a big thank you to all the Club coaches, officials, team managers, and time-keepers and all who helped to make the event a success. Chard now look forward to another strong performance in the second Round.

Several swimmers also took part in the recent Somerset Development Meet aimed at young and in-experienced swimmers looking to try to achieve County times for next spring. Twenty-three swimmers age nine and upwards took part over two days achieving many personal best times.

Top three medal positions were achieved by Paul Harrison, 15, 2nd 200m breaststroke, 3rd 200m backstroke, Joss Copeman, 13, 1st 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, Simon Davis 1st 200m Individual Medley, 2nd 100m backstroke, 3rd 200m freestyle, 200, 100 and 50m breaststroke, Xanthe Dyer, 13, 2nd 100m freestyle, Briana Barrand ,10, 1st 100m Individual Medley, 2nd 200m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and Grace Lambert, 9, 1st 50m freestyle, 2nd 200m breaststroke.

If you want to find out more about Chard Swimming Club please visit our web-site at www.chardswimming.org.uk