THE return visit to Horfield in Bristol for the second round of the Arena National Swimming League on November 10, saw the Tavistock Swimming Club involved in another gala with close finishes of the races, and closeness of the points between the top three teams.

The gala consisted of six teams, with the opposing teams being Bristol North, Bristol Penguins, Ilfracombe, Torridgeside and West Dorset Warriors with Tavistock gaining 29 top three finishes out of the 50 events.

All the swimmers put in great performances, giving the supporters plenty to cheer loudly about, with the squad just missing out on first place by two points. There were 14 first places, which were led by the boys 15/U squad, James Anderson, Gavin Ball, Kieran Rookes and Harry Thompson, who completed a clean sweep by winning all their races — the freestyle and medley relays, Harry in 100m backstroke, James the 100m fly and Kieran in the 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke.

In the 13/U age group, wins were secured by Luke Stephens in the 50m breaststroke and 50m fly, while in the Open age group, Kathryn Stacey won both the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle, Mike Best won the 100m breaststroke and Matt Edwards won the 100m IM and 100m freestyle.

The men's open relay team, Nathaniel Rookes, Mike Best, Gareth Williams and Matt Edwards again won ther medley relay.

The swimmers who took part with the number of personal bests achieved in brackets were James Anderson (1), Sophie Anderson, Emily Attfield (1), William Aveyard, Gavin Ball, Sam Bates, Maddy Benyon, Mike Best, Ben Bowles (1), Jessamy Clemens (1), James Close (1), Will Cunningham, Harriet Edwards, Matt Edwards, Emily France (1), Jake France, Bel Germon, Flora Germon, Megan Groom (1), Grace James (1), Jessica James (1), Chloe Marks, George Morgan (1), Ieuan Noakes (1), Kieran Rookes, Nathaniel Rookes (1), Jack Rutley, Kathryn Stacey, Luke Stephens (2), Elizabeth Teague, Sarah Teague, Beth Thompson, Harry Thompson (1), Gareth Williams and Kirsty Williams.

The squad will be travelling once more to Horfield for their third and final round of the National Swimming league in December.

If you are interested in joining Tavistock swimming club, please visit the Tavistock swimming club website http://www.tavsc.co.uk">www.tavsc.co.uk