Chard & District Swimming Club took a team of 12-years and under swimmers to the first round of the Southern Junior League last weekend, at the new Dorchester Leisure Centre pool writes Hannah Pullinger.

The team achieved an amazing second place behind the favourites Bournemouth, beating some stiff competition from Yeovil, West Dorset Warriors, South Dorset Tornadoes and Frome.

Congratulations go Bea Brett, (12), who broke two Club records and nailed first positions in both her individual events the 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke.

Other great swims, securing a total of fifteen top three positions came from; Abi Bonning, 12, second in the 50m freestyle and breaststroke, Henry Taswell, 12, second in the 50m butterfly and backstroke, Leo Kindred, 12, third in the 50m breaststroke, Jess Fowler, 11, third in the 50m backstroke, Leo Bonning, 10, third in the 50m backstroke, Abi Greenslade, 9, second in the 25m freestyle and 25m butterfly, Millie Downes, 9, first in the 25m breaststroke, Jamie Porter, 9, third in the 25m breaststroke and Louis Rood, 9, second in the 25m backstroke & 25m butterfly.

There was also success in the relays for the 12yr girls who were third in the freestyle relay whilst the11yr girls were third both in the freestyle and medley events and

the 9yr girls secured second in both their events whilst the 9yr boys team won third place in the freestyle and second in the Medley. The mixed team also came third in the exciting cannon event.

The Junior League Squad for this Gala:

Boys: Louis Rood, Jamie Porter, Daniel Humphreys, Will Hawkins, Leo Bonning, Ben Webb, Michael Moulding, Joss Copeman, Simon Davis, Oliver Bright, Oliver Rodger, Henry Taswell, Ben Greenslade, Leo Kindred

Girls: Millie Downes, Molly Hunt, Harriet Copeman, Briana Barrand, Abi Greenslade, Mia Huntley, Eden McDonald, Leonie Housham, Imogen Waterhouse, Jess Fowler, Megan Herbert, Xanthe Dyer, Daisy Brett, Baylei Callow, Abi Morgan, Abi Bonning, Moli Riley, and Bea Brett.

Thanks go to all the parent helpers who assisted with the event. Chard now look forward to the second round in the series of galas to be held next month.

For more information about Chard and District Swimming Club visit their web-site chardswimming.org.uk