Clevedon Swimming Club travelled to Horfield for the first gala of the season.

AFTER a three week break over the summer and with training having only just resumed, swimmers from Clevedon Swimming Club were at Horfield for the first gala of the season.

The Bristol Hotspring sponsored swimmers were up against teams from all divisions of the National Arena League in a warm-up gala organised by Bristol Henleaze.

Slightly under strength due to illness and injury, the team performed extremely well finishing in fifth position, swimming strongly against teams in the same division, in particular Henleaze and Southwold, and pushing those in the division above.

The overall result was: Soundwell 330, Yeovil 292, Keynsham 270, Southwold 245, Clevedon 237, Bristol Henleaze 230, Backwell 98, Bristol North 95.

Against two teams in a higher division, individual wins were hard to come by, but Lizzie Warnes touched first in the open 100m butterfly, followed by national finalist Amelia Chappell in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, with Ellie Chappell notching up maximum points in the 100m butterfly, who also fought well for a second place in the 100m backstroke.

More valuable second place points were gained by Nick Bray, Jack Instrall, Chris Burnett and Callum Greenwood in the boys 15&under freestyle relay, with Callum also picking up second in the 100m backstroke.

George Leaman pulled out all the stops for a second in the 50m butterfly, while Sam Thomas, swimming his favoured stroke, powered to second in the open 100m breaststroke. In the penultimate race of the evening, the ladies’ open freestyle team of Lizzie Warnes, Amelia Chappell, Megan Finnie, Dani Appleford, Laura Hearn and Ellie Chappell battled hard to touch in second place behind rivals Yeovil.

Despite being early in the season, it was good to see personal best times from Lizzie Warnes, brothers Charley and Jack Instrall and Charlie Goss.

With the season now in full swing, Clevedon are looking to retain their place in Division 1 of the National Arena League as the rounds get underway in October and this result should boost their confidence as they prepare for the first round.

Clevedon are happy to welcome new swimmers from age seven upwards who would like to experience competitive swimming. For more information about the club and how to join, visit www.clevedonasc.co.uk

Sam Thomas powers to second place in the open 100m breaststroke.