WITH a week's break between the North Devon mini league Okehampton Otters travelled to Sidmouth to compete in a five-way gala.

This turned out to be quite competitive with many close finishes in several of the events. The Otters came away with 14 first places, six of these coming in the first 13 races to set the otters on their way.

Jenny Rice made four of these, setting club records in the 16 years 100m back and 4x25m im, the latter being her second Western Counties qualifying time. She also achieved a record in the 50m fly.

Sisters Rebecca and Charlotte Rowe made up another three firsts with both winning their 50m backstroke swims and Charlotte with the 50m, free. This was a club record, beating a time she did a week before.

Charlotte is now training with the Devon squad after her fine performances in the Devon Championships.

Other good swims came in the breaststroke events where Catherine Souness, Emma Pollard, Tom Bradley and Alice Wooldridge all swam to first places.

In the backstroke for boys, Cameron Huxtable and Michael Aylin added maximum points for the 12 and under and 10 and under events. Cameron swam a new 11-year-old boy record.

The other winner was Robert Souness in the 14 and under 50m free.

Two other records were set by Holly Dennis, 15 years 100m breast, and Simon Medlyn, 16 years 4x25m individual medley. However in the relays Sidmouth gave double points for a win.

With only one first place here, this proved to be the factor why the Otters finished in third place overall.

In total, 23 personal best times were achieved by Michael Aylin, Gavin Best, Holly Dennis, Cameron Huxtable, Gareth Jones, Imogen Maccullock, Simon Medlyn x3, Victoria Medlyn, John Radnor x2 (-4 off free), Jenny Rice x3 (-7 off back), Charlotte Rowe x2, Rebecca Rowe (-3 off fly), Robert Souness, Alex Wooldridge, Alice Wood x2 (-5 off free), and Alex Wooldridge.

Coach Nigel West said: 'With close to 50 pb swims coming in two weeks of competition the swimmers should feel that a lot has been achieved since training resumed in January.'

The next gala is at Honiton on April 28. Training starts after the Easter break on the 23rd.