A SUCCESSION of outstanding breastroke swims towards the latter stages of competition elevated the Okehampton Otters Swimming squad into runner up position at their friendly Inter club gala at Sidmouth on Saturday. Hosts Sid Vale were victors, Otters finished second, Crediton a close third and Ilminster fourth. With never more than ten points separating the Otters and Crediton squads second position was hotly contested for throughout the night. Every swimmer performed with determination and gusto and was worthy of selection. A couple of swimmers made their debut performances for the club, Abigail Westlake in the 11 and under squad and Hannah Strong in the 12 and under squad. In this 58 event competition there were 11 first places and a massive 18 seconds awarded to the Okehampton swimmers. Many of the second positions could easily have been maximum pointers with the result being decided at the touch. The 15 and under squad of Charlotte Rowe, Matthew Westlake, John Radnor, Luke Wonnacott, Vicky Medlyn, Michael Aylen, Amelia Allen and Ellen Bright had a most successful night taking seven of the eleven first places despite some swimmers having to swim up age groups. Vicky took three, Charlotte two and in most determined style in the butterfly, John one. The girls 15 and under 4x 50m freestyle squad of Amelia, Charlotte, Ellen and Vicky gained double points by storming home in first place. In the 12 and under squad Rebecca Chapman took first slot in her breastroke. The squad also amassed five second places between them. Matthew Webber took two, Tom Aylen, Gabriel Aquilera and Rebecca Chapman having one each. Other squad members were James Speak, Hannah Strong and Mia Fallon Clark. For the 11 and under squad Emma Jackman swam to second slot in two of her events. Other seconds went to Lucy Dixon and William Leech. The rest of the squad was made up of Oliver Kirby, Tom Aylen, Rebecca Vile and Abigail Westlake. Making up the victorious girls 11 and under 4 x 25m freestyle squad were Lucy, Abigail, Rebecca and Emma. Some impressive swimming from the club?s young 10 year olds indicated a bright future for the Otters. Martha Bright?s talent began to show through and Diggory North, Sam Collett, Kim Stanton, Eloise Allen, George Speak, Martyn Allen and Chloe Sanders all swam with determined effort. The combined efforts of Martha, Eloise, Chloe and Kim ensured maximum points in their 4 x 25m freestyle relay. From the forty individual swims recorded twenty two were personal best performances. One Otters Age Group record fell to Matthew Westlake, 13, in the 50m backstroke. Anyone interested in joining the club should contact the membership secretaries on 01 409 221377 for junior members, 01 837 840663 for masters enquiries or 01 837 840283 for Life Saving.