Chard Swimming Club held their second club gala of the year at Flamingo Pool in Axminster last week, writes Hannah Pullinger.

Over 70 swimmers ranging in age from 7 to 16 years took part. There were some excellent swims with 27 Somerset County qualifying times achieved. Regional and National qualifying times cannot officially be achieved at this level of competition, but six Regional times were swum by Luke van den Barselaar 16, in the 50 backstroke, Hannah Pullinger 16, in the 200 freestyle and 200 Individual Medley, Jake Hallam 16, in the 200 butterfly and 100 breaststroke and Ben Fowler 16, in the 50 backstroke.

Gala Results:

8 &Under Events: Boys’ 25m Butterfly: 1, Joe Shrubb; 2, Jimmy Brett; 3, Cole Dickinson; Boys’ 25m Free: 1, Jimmy Brett; 2, Joe Shrubb; 3, Cole Dickinson.

Girls’ 25m Back: 1, Abi Greenslade; 2, Millie Downes; 3, Mia Huntley; Girls’ 25m Breast: 1, Millie Downes; 2, Abi Greenslade; 3, Abbie Herbert.

Girls’ 50 Butterfly: Open: 1, Hannah Pullinger; 2, Abi Dare; 3, Melissa Hanson. 13/14 Years: 1, Susan Ross; 2, Daniella Edge; 3, Elisha Hawkins; 12 Years: 1, Tamsin Edge; 2, Abi Bonning; 3, Grace Haskins

11 Years: 1, Jess Patch; 2, Jess Fowler; 3, Jasmine Voysey; 10 Years: 1, Xanthe Dyer; 2, Megan Herbert; 3, Helen Underwood; 9 Years: 1, Sharna Edge; 2, Jess McAuley; 3, Eden McDonald.

Boys’ 50 Back Open: 1, Luke van den Barselaar; 2, Ben Fowler; 3, Jamie Spiller; 13/14 Years: 1,Oliver Bilbie; 2, Jamie Pullinger; 3, Paul Harrison; 12 Years: 1, Ryan Adair; 2, Ben Greenslade; 3, Liam Mathieson; 11 Years: 1, Leo Kindred; 2, Henry Taswell; 3, Simon Davis; 10 Years: 1, Joss Copeman; 2, Leo Bonning; 3, Michael Moulding. 9 Years: 1, Oscar Rens; 2, William Hawkins; 3, Ben Webb.

Girls’ 200 Free: Open: 1,Hannah Pullinger; 2, Melissa Hanson; 3, Abi Dare; 13/14 Years: 1, Susan Ross; 2, Elisha Hawkins; 3, Daniella Edge. 12 Years: 1, Tamsin Edge; 2, Abi Bonning; 3, Grace Haskins. 11 Years: 1, Jess Patch; 2, Jess Fowler; 3, Millie Shrubb. 10 Years: 1, Xanthe Dyer; 2, Helen Underwood; 3, Daisy Brett

Boys’ 200 Butterfly Open: 1, Jake Hallam; 2, Jamie Lillington; 3, Ashley Lillington. 13/14 Years: 1, Oliver Bilbie; 2, Paul Harrison; 3, Rory Dyer. 12 Years: 1, Ryan Adair. 11 Years: 1, Henry Taswell; 2, Leo Kindred. 10 Years: 1, Leo Bonning; 2, Oliver Bright.

Girls’ 100 Back: Open: 1, Melissa Hanson; 2, Billie-Jo Dance; 3, Mollie Simpson. 13/14 Years: 1, Susan Ross; 2, Daniella Edge; 3, Elisha Hawkins.

12 Years: 1, Tamsin Edge; 2, Abi Bonning; 3, Grace Haskins. 11 Years: 1, Jess Fowler; 2, Jess Patch; 3, Millie Shrubb. 10 Years: 1, Xanthe Dyer; 2, Daisy Brett; 3, Megan Herbert. 9 Years: 1, Eden McDonald; 2, Jess McAuley; 3, Brooke Mathieson.

Boys 100 Breaststroke: Open: 1, Luke van den Barselaar; 2 , Jake Hallam; 3, Daniel Andrews; 13/14 Years:1, Jamie Pullinger; 2, Paul Harrison; 3, Rory Dyer. 12 Years: 1, Liam Mathieson; 2, Ryan Adair; 3, Ben Greenslade. 11 Years: 1, Leo Kindred; 2, Simon Davis; 3, Henry Taswell. 10 Years: 1, Oliver Bright; 2, Leo Bonning; 3, Michael Moulding. 9 Years: 1, Oscar Rens; 2, William Hawkins.

Girls’ 200 Individual Medley Open: 1, Hannah Pullinger; 2, Melissa Hanson; 3, Billie-Jo Dance. 13/14 Years: 1, Elisha Hawkins; 2, Daniella Edge; 3, Susan Ross. 12 Years: 1, Tamsin Edge; 2, Abi Bonning; 3, Grace Haskins. 11 Years: 1, Jess Patch; 2, Jess Fowler; 3, Jasmine Voysey. 10 Years: 1, Xanthe Dyer; 2, Megan Herbert; 3, Helen Underwood.

Girls Novice 25m:1, Jess McAuley; 2, Sharna Edge; 3, Eden McDonald. Girls’ Novice 50m: 1, Marianna Dyer; 2, Sarah Underwood; 3, Jess Patch; Boys’ Novice 25m: 1, Oscar Rens; 2, Jimmy Brett; 3, Daniel Humphreys; Boys’ Novice 50m: 1, Ben Greenslade; 2, Leo Kindred; 3, Liam Mathieson

?Swimmers of the month for March Tessa Down (14) and Luke van den Barselaar (16) who both achieved new regional qualifying times.

?Chard & District are always looking for new members; sessions are held at Axminster, Chard and Crewkerne, as well as long course training at Millfield School pool. If you would like to find out more or arrange a free trial please visit the web-site at chardswimming.org.uk