THIS was the final gala of four in the 2003 North Devon mini league held at Barnstaple.

The Otters went into the gala knowing that swimming to a second position would give them the runners-up spot in the league.

The galas have had the girls? 14/15 years age group in great form. This event was to be no exception with Becky Rowe setting a new age group record for the 100m backstroke and gaining first place in the 100m free.

Vicky Medlyn swam the 100m fly and breaststroke, winning both. With the two girls in the relays were Charlotte Rowe, Scarlett Geering and Natalie Bowles. All swam strongly to head in first on both swims, the medley being an age group best time.

Charlotte was not satisfied in just aiding her sister, she swam the 12/13 years? 100m free to a first place in an age group record.

Tom Bradley proved to be the only individual male swimmer to gain a win on the night. He swam the 12/13 years? 100m breast, winning by a clear distance, erasing four seconds from his previous best time.

The final girls? relay was the open freestyle where again Vicky and Becky with Holly Dennis and captain Jo Cade proved too strong for their opposition to win this event in an age group best time.

Other relay best times came in the girls? open medley and the boys? 14/15 years medley by Joe Rice, Sam Bradley, John Radnor and Paul Lawrence.

A total of six seconds, placing came from Jo Cade open 100m back, David Dennis open individual medley, Vicky Medlyn open individual medley, Matthew Webber 11 years? 50m breast and the boys 12/13 years? medley relay.

A larger than normal figure of 24 personal best times were swam by Sam Bradley -8 seconds , Gabriel Agruilera, Tom Bradleyx2, David Dennisx2, Scarlett Geering, Kelly Holter, Shannon Holterx2 , Gemma Jachnik -7 seconds, Oliver Kirbyx2, Alice Meardon, Charlotte Radnor, John Radnor, Charlotte Rowex2, Rebecca Rowe, Matthew Webber, Matthew Westlake and Elona Wonnacottx2.

Even though the swimming was of a high standard it was not enough to topple the other clubs. After 12 events the Otters were leading the field. At the finish the Otters came home in fourth to have a finishing place of fourth in the league.

Coach Nigel West said: ?We have improved as the league went on. We introduced several new swimmers during this period and the more established swimmers did very well to gain more first and second placings than in previous years.

?We have definitely come a long way since joining three years ago. The racing is fast and close finishes are in abundance.?