BROMSGROVE Swimming Club hosted Saturday's Trophy gala, pushing two teams out to give as many swimmers as possible the opportunity for a competitive swim.

Although some doubled-up in both first and second teams, it was rewarding to see so many individual achievements -- around 60 per cent of Bromsgrove swimmers achieved personal bests. The points were close and the first team finished third.

The Sydenham sisters, Lizzie and Beckie, took on the under-11 and under-14 backstroke competition and between them managed to knock nine seconds off their PB's.

Alice Woodyatt, positively dwarfed by her competitors, shocked the flippers off them, flying through the water to take first place in the under-tens girls 25metre freestyle event.

Similarly, Emily McNally was underestimated in her under-12 50m breaststroke and butterfly events, slicing through the water only to increase her speed at the last flags.

True grit was shown by Casey Morris, Nick Frizzell, Jared Lee Harding and Joe Hobbis, never 100 per cent sure which team or lane they were swimming in next.

Laura Pack, Hayley Stanford, Hannah Currie and Zoe Brawn all showed great strength in upholding their side.

Also supporting Bromsgrove's second team were first team swimmers the Woodhead brothers --Chris and Phil -- Simon Smith, Alison Bayley, the tornado Taylor twins, Claire and Nicola, and Amy Marshall, who improved her time for the 50m butterfly.

This wealth of experience helped sustain newcomers Thomas Ganner and the Bolsher brothers, Callum and Daniel.

The chaos of organising two teams almost led to Kayleigh Wagg missing her 50m breaststroke race. But, as usual, the unflappable Kayleigh came up trumps.

Laura Ashford not only swam her own age group swims, but stood in for the Ladies Open races and took first and second places.

Finally, Stuart Corbett took on the mighty coach, Richard Davidson, in the finale of the evening, the Mens Open 50m Freestyle-- definitely a photo finish lads! Bromsgrove's next gala is on November 3 at Kidlington.