IT was almost second place for Tavistock Swimming Club at the first round of the Arena National Swimming League 2013, which took place at Bodmin.

The gala consisted of six teams, with Tavistock joining Caradon, Devonport, Exmouth, Penzance and Seagulls B.

Tavistock took a squad of 36 swimmers, who produced 30 top three finishes, as well as 16 personal best times over the 50 events. All the swimmers put in great performances with the squad just missing out on second place by three points.

There were 13 first places, with the boy's club captain Kieran Rookes winning first place in the men's open 100 m IM with a personal best time. He also achieved firsts in the open men's 100m breaststroke and as part of the exciting final event of the gala - the men's six by 50m freestyle cannon relay with Nathaniel Rookes, Cameron Mcurk, Gavin Ball, James Anderson and James Lake.

In the 15U age group, Ella Ellis produced an excellent win in the 100 m butterfly, while the boys achieved five first places - Luke Stephens in the 100m breaststroke, Gavin Ball in both the 100m freestyle and backstroke, which was supported by excellent wins in both the freestyle and medley relays.

In the 13U age group, wins were secured by Sarah Teague in the 50m breaststroke and Jake France in the 50m freestyle. In the 11U age group Emily France won the 50m freestyle, and Will Cunningham won the 50m breaststroke.

The swimmers who took part with the number of personal bests achieved in brackets were James Anderson (1), Emily Attfield, Gavin Ball (2), Sam Bates (1), Sam Cade, Yvonne Carpenter-Warren, Jessamy Clemens, Johannis Clifford-Flower, James Close (1), Will Cunningham (2), Harriet Edwards, Ella Ellis, Emily France (1), Jake France (2), Alex Francis, Amber Francis, Flora Germon, Megan Groom, Tess Harland (1), Thea Harland, James Lake, Sam Lake, Ryan Lillyman, Chloe Marks, James Meredith, Laura Meredith, Rosie Milburn, Alfie Morgan (2), George Morgan (1), Kelly Rice, Kieran Rookes (1), Nathaniel Rookes, Luke Stephens, Sarah Teague (1), Beth Thompson and Annaliese Wright. It was an excellent result for the squad who now will be travelling to Dorchester for their second round of the National Swimming league in November.

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