LEDBURY swimmers excelled over an extraordinary weekend when they had teams involved at three galas.

They had a PGL Junior League gala on Saturday evening in Worcester, a senior Worcester Winter League fixture on Sunday morning in Droitwich and a Wyvern League gala in Ledbury on Sunday afternoon.

Team selectors faced tough decisions to keep all teams strong but careful planning paid off with winning teams in both the PGL and the Wyvern galas.

Worcester were the closest rivals at the PGL gala and some hard-fought races spurred the LADASC team on to record 28 of a possible 32 personal best times in the individual events.

Maximum points for winning swims came from Alison Pudge, Kate Docherty, Emily Docherty, Charlie Green, Daniel Adair, Amber Watson, Anna Bird, Amelia Butler and Joe Bloxsome.

Some superb relay performances added to the points. The fastest swimmers on the night, Billy Wilce, Leah Heath, Charlie Green, Alice Quigley, Joe Bloxsome, Eloise van Vuren, Iain Docherty, Emily Klimek, Rauri Smith-Cooper and Alison Pudge, were selected the exciting cannon relay.

Fast lengths and sound take-overs from all the swimmers kept LADASC in the lead to win the final event and finish the gala ten points ahead.

The senior team faced a tough draw in the Worcester Winter League final but were determined to give their best knowing they would be missing key swimmers.

All the reserves stepped up to the challenge and used the good competition as an opportunity to record improved times.

Lucy Bennion was the only winner with a gutsy four length breaststoke in the 15/u age group. She also finished third in the butterfly with a new best time.

Haden Hill were the winning team and LADASC finished 5th.

Anticipating close competition from both Hereford and Monmouth in the penultimate Wyvern gala, the LADASC team knew they had to fight for every point to keep their top league position.

Eloise van Vuren was the start swimmer of the first event, the 11/u freestyle relay, with team mates, Caitlin Clark, Alice Parsons and Emma Fitzpatrick. They set the tone for the gala with a determined win. The boys team, David Middleton, Joe Bloxsome, Chris Harwood and George Bennion, followed suit, providing a boost of confidence to the team. A little jaded from the earlier gala, Rachael Lea, Amy Tyler and Lucy Bennion still turned in fast times, to give team captain Lucinda Houghton sufficient lead to win the third consecutive relay in the 15/u age group.

Winning individual races from Patty Holloway (Backstroke), Emma Fitzpatrick and George Bennion (Breaststroke) helped push LADASC to a nine-point lead from Hereford in the first quarter of the programme.

LADASC proved strong in the following freestyle relay block, winning five of the six races, with notable swims from Katherine Berry, Rauri Smith Cooper, Iain Docherty and Anna Bird.

George Bennion enjoyed his second win with a comfortable 50m backstroke, followed by a well-timed 100m breaststroke race from Rachael Lea. The team were delighted to hear they had secured a 17-point lead after the first 20 events.

David Middleton was the winner of the 10 years freestyle race. Not to be outdone, elder brother James won his breaststroke event. LADASC showed well in the butterfly events with winning performances from Joe Bloxsome (10), Emma Fitzpatrick (11u), George Bennion (11/u), Hannah Bloxsome (13/u) and Rhys Davey (15/u). Amy Tyler (15/u) was narrowly beaten to second place but set a new personal best time. Rose Parsons and brother George were both winners of the 10 years breaststroke events, in new best times. Luke Rycroft and Caitlin Clark were runners up in their freestyle events.

The team excelled in the medley relays winning nine of the 10 events.

Steadily the team gained points to conclude the gala with a 41-point lead.

Final scores were Ledbury 279, Hereford 238, Monnow 233, Cwmbran 167 and Chepstow 108.

Coach Viv Jones said: "The clash of dates was unavoidable and made for a difficult weekend for both swimmers and officials. All the reserves showed wonderful team spirit demonstrated by some remarkably determined swims, especially Alison Pudge who was called in at late notice and swam in all three teams."