THE West Devon Swimming squad had a rough start to the day.

After the shock of the coach crash they were unsure if they would even get to the pool. But the enthusiasm of the swimmers was not in question.

Unfortunately, Melissa Taylor needed medical attention for whiplash and had to go home after spending the morning at Torbay A&E with the squad's official timekeeper, Terry Chinn. Mellisa was dearly missed by the team coach Paul Chinn, assistant Madeleine Larose, and all the squad members.

Eventually at the pool, the morning session saw the younger team swimming against older club swimmers, but they battled to some close finishes, and the cheers and support made up for any lack of top placings in the swims.

Nick Jarman, David Johnson, Nick Lovering, Tom Lumley, Jake Chinn and Jason Butler all helped gain team points in their individual and relay events.

Louise Lucas, Hattie Hayes and Sam Jarman all swam with great spirit against older opposition and girls who seemed to be at least a foot taller.

The afternoon brought more success for both the squad's younger and older swimmers.

Edward Robinson (yr7) swam great backstroke to finish 2nd in his heat against good yr8 opposition. Sophie Larose, Jessica Clear, Holly Chinn and Lisa Butler were just squeezed out and finished a good 6th in the medley relay. Sebastian Lee, Jessica Clear and Edward Robinson continued to swim strongly against tough opposition who were up to two years older.

The biggest cheer of the day was for Lisa Butler, whose return to swimming was rewarded with a fantastic victory in the yrs 9 and10 butterfly.

The team morale was superb throughout the day. They kept going against the very strong opposition who's swim clubs had the Youth Games as top priority.

Thanks to Robin Brew and Wendy Dalton at Kelly for the use of the pool and to the combination of Kelly Friday Night and local schools swimmers who made the team's participation possible.

l Pictured: The West Devon Girls —always ready for action after a very long day.##