TAVISTOCK Swimming Club?s Home Gala at Meadowlands on Saturday proved to be an exciting event with only five points separating the teams and many close finishes.

Launceston edged ahead to win with 122 points with Tavistock just taking second place with 118 points to Kingsbridge?s 117 points.

Richard Freedman (boys? captain), Mark Hennessey, Kirsty Best, Rebecca Mills and Joshua Hughes all won two individual events and Philippa Smith (girls? captain), Rachael Kelly, Natalie Greep, Rufus Gould, Francesca Gould, Roseanne Walsh and Pete Welsh all won one individual event. William Crocker clocked the most personal best times with a total of 3 in the 100m fly , 100m breaststroke and 100m individual medley. A determined swim from Rufus Gould resulted in an impressive 8 second personal best in his 25m fly, with Joshua Stephens achieving two pbs and Jessica Cooke, Rufus Gould, Mark Hennessey, Nicholas Jarman, Roseanne Walsh, Philip Webb, Ross Williams and Edward Ames gaining one personal best time.

Squad members also included Sophie McGowan, Michael Best, Tom Waddington, Alice Warnett, Hattie Sparks, Jonathan Evans, Laura Radgick, Tabitha Gould, Tom Crocker and Laura Aspen, many of whom narrowly missed first places.

Swimmer of the Gala award went to Amy Warnett for her willingness to step into the breach when, on two occasions due to the recurrence of injuries, swimmers were unable to compete.

Tavistock?s next gala is the second round of the Cornwall and West Devon League at St Austell.