With the Tavistock Swimming Club squad stood down from competitive gala action last weekend, some members took the opportunity to take part in two open meets.

On Saturday nine of the club's swimmers travelled to the Dragon Centre to compete in the Bodmin and District Sprint Open Meet. On what turned out to be a long and competitive day, four of the girls from Tavistock battled their way through to eight of the finals, from which Lisa Butler earned a creditable third place in her girls' 13 years 50m butterfly event. Eighteen new personal best times were posted on the day by the nine contending Tavistock swimmers, with Lisa Butler and Nicholas Jarman both registering four apiece.

On Sunday two of the club's swimmers travelled to Exeter for the City SC 1st Distance Open Meet at the Pyramids Leisure Centre. In the 15 years age group Rosie Yull came home in third spot in the 200m freestyle event which, together with her performances in the 200m backstroke and 400m freestyle saw her establish three new individual club records, these latter two also establishing new personal best times for her.

In the 18 and over age group Samantha Gardner achieved a stunning four first places in the 200m backstroke, 200m and 400m freestyle and the 200m individual medley respectively. The 200m backstroke also saw her setting a new individual club record for the event which, together with the time she set for her 200m freestyle swim, also gave her two new personal best times. As reward for her sterling efforts, Sam was presented with the prestigious 'Top Girl' award for amassing the greatest individual number of points at the meet.

Tavistock's chief coach Margaret Gardner was extremely pleased with the application, style and quality displayed by the club's swimmers at Bodmin and Exeter.

'All eleven Tavistock swimmers will have learned a little more about themselves and their swimming after this weekend', she said. 'And, thanks to the way our swimmers performed, some of our future opponents will have learned a lot about the in depth quality of the Tavistock squad.'

If you or members of your family are interested in becoming stronger or more competitive swimmers, or would just like to know more about Tavistock Swimming Club and it's activities contact either the chief coach on 01566 782890 or membership secretary on 01822 833677.

Results: All 50m unless otherwise stated:13 age group: girls: Lisa Butler, 50m Butterfly place 2, time 34.45; Back , 7 37.73 pb; Breast, 5 41.26; Freestyle, 6 32.13; 100mI/M HDW, 5 1.20.50.

Eve Hellewell: Butterfly, 9 37.16; Backstroke, 5 36.97 pb; Breast, 4 40.39; Freestyle, 13 33.08; 100m I/M HDW, 6 1.20.59 pb.

Philippa Smith: Butterfly, 13 37.87; Back, 4 36.78 pb; Breast, 9 42.54 pb; Freestyle, 10 32.94 pb; 100mI/M HDW, 7 1.21.52.

Harriet Sparks: Butterfly, 7 36.68; Freestyle, 14 33.25.

15 age group: Beth Hellewell: Butterfly, 6 35.35; Back, 11 39.48; Breast, 6 40.85; Freestyle, 11 32.08; 100m I/M HDW, 8 1.20.81.

Heats - Boys: 10 age group: Will Feather: Butterfly, Disq; Back, 15 48.61 pb; Breast, 24 55.66; Freestyle, 22 43.19; 100m I/M HDW, 13 1.40.72 pb.

Nicholas Jarman: Back, 18 50.19 pb; Breast, 25 57.24 pb; Freestyle, 19 41.25 pb; 100m I/M HDW, 16 1 .47.39 pb.

11 age group: Jason Butler: Back, 13 47.22 pb; Breast, 19 58.52; Freestyle, 23 41.58; 100m I/M HDW, 18 1.48.25.

William Crocker: Butterfly 16 51.52 pb; Breast, 17 55.44 pb; Freestyle, 24 42.32; 100m I/M HDW, 21 1.53.34.

Girls - Finals: 50m Butterfly 13 year age group, Lisa Butler, 3 34.28 pb. 50m Backstroke, 13 year age group, Philippa Smith, 36.84. Eve Hellewell, 5 37.57.

50m Breast,13 year age group, Eve Hellewell, 4 40.08. Lisa Butler, 5 40.52 pb.

50m Freestyle, 13 year age group, Lisa Butler, 5 32.00 pb.

50m Butterfly, 15 year age group, Beth Hellewell, 6 36.19.

50m Breast, 15 year age group, Beth Hellewell, 5 40.82.

Results, Exeter: Ladies, 15 age group: Rosie Yull, 200m backstroke, 5 2.50.49, club record, pb; 200m freestyle, 3 2.26.04 club record; 400m freestyle, 4, 5.04.93 club record, pb.

18/over age group: Samantha Gardner (received Top Girl award with most points): 200m backstroke, 1 2.36.16, club record, pb; 200, freestyle, 1 2.19.56, pb; 200m ind medley, 1 2.38.93; 400m freestyle, 1 4.49.58.

All events were heat declared winners.