THREE club records were smashed by Tavistock Swimming Club members at the recent 19th Exeter Open Meet.

It was a particularly successful meet for 11-year-old Caroline Ball who swam the 50m back in a national qualifying time.

Rebecca Mills took the club record in the 11/12 yrs 50m fly with Peter Freedman taking the Mens 200m IM. Amy Warnett gained three personal best times, Nicholas Jarman four pbs and Alice Warnett two pbs.

The swimmers were in action again on Friday evening which saw the first round of the Club Championships 2001 which consisted of the 200m freestyle and 200m fly.

The first round saw three championship records tumble. Peter Freedman took the championship record in the men's 200m freestyle, Christopher Ralph followed this by winning the 10-14 200 fly in championship record time and Philippa Smith completed the hat trick of Championship records by taking the ladies' 200m fly.

Club records also fell with Peter Freedman taking the 15/over 200m freestyle record, Rebecca Mills and Jessica Cooke both taking the 200m fly record in their age groups.

The younger swimmers showed wonderful spirit by competing in the distance events, with every swimmer completing the distance and each achieving a personal best time in at least one event.

Results: Boys 10-14 200m freestyle (HDW) - Christopher Ralph 1, Sam Broome 2, Nicholas Jarman 3, Will Feather 4, Joshua Bancroft 5, Jake Broome 6, Ross Mallin 7, Jake Chinn 8, Ryan Greep 9, James Hill 10, Ross Williams 11, Marc Kerswill 12, Martyn Greep 13, Matthew A Taylor 14. Girls 10-14 200m freestyle (HDW) - Caroline Ball 1, Amy Warnett 2, Rebecca Mills 3, Holly Chinn 4, Rachael Kelly 5, Sarah Guy 6, Freddy Luesby 7, Lauren Cooke 8, Victoria Hill 9, Alice Warnett 10, Jenny Bloomfield 11, Jessica Cooke 12, Samantha Jarman 13. Mens 200m freestyle (HDW) - Peter Freedman 1, Richard Freedman 2, Ian Pownall 3. Ladies 200m freestyle (HDW) - Rosie Yull 1, Philippa Smith 2, Alison Kelly 3.

Boys 10-14 200m fly (HDW) - Christopher Ralph 1, Nicholas Jarman 2, Will Feather 3, Sam Broome 4, Joshua Bancroft 5, Ross Mallin 6, Jake Broome 7, James Hill 8, Matthew A Taylor 9. Girls 10-14 200m fly (HDW) - Caroline Ball 1, Holly Chinn 2, Rebecca Mills 3, Amy Warnett 4, Freddy Luesby 5, Victoria Hill 6, Jessica Cooke 7, Alice Warnett 8, Jenny Bloomfield 9. Mens 200m fly (HDW) - Peter Freedman 1, Richard Freedman 2. Ladies 200m fly (HDW) - Philippa Smith 1, Alison Kelly 2.

There was no rest for the squad as they travelled to Okehampton on Saturday to compete in an inter-club gala hosted by Okehampton Otters.

It was an exciting and enjoyable gala which saw the lead change frequently with Okehampton the final victors with 171 points, Kingsbridge 169, Sid Vale 163 and Tavistock 144.

Although many of the squad were young and inexperienced they swam with tremendous enthusiasm, encouraged by the older, more experienced members of the squad and will no doubt be representing the club in future galas. Chief coach Margaret Gardner said the swimmers all gave 100 per cent and she was delighted by the support the team had given to each other on poolside.

Sarah Guy, representing the club for the first time, made an excellent start in the squad by gaining two personal best times.

First places were gained by Caroline Ball, Amy Warnett, Rachael Kelly, Philippa Smith, Rebecca Mills, Christopher Ralph (2).

Individual personal best times - Philippa Smith, Richard Freedman, Alice Warnett, Ross Williams, Will Feather, Victoria Hill, Kirstie Ingrams, Nicholas Jarman, Rachael Kelly, Kirsty Best, Violet Taylor, Matthew A Taylor, Sarah Guy, Christopher Ralph, Ellen Moore. Squad members - William Crocker, Alison Kelly, Harriet Sparks, Ian Pownall, Sam Broome, Francesca Gould, Jessica Cooke, Thomas Crocker, James Hill, Amy Warnett, Michael Best, Joshua Bancroft, Holly Chinn, Sam Broome, Freddy Luesby, Jake Broome, Lauren Cooke.

Anyone wishing to join Tavistock Swimming Club can contact Margaret Gardner on 01566 782890. Club night is on Sundays with other sessions available throughout the week.