SWIMMERS from the Malvern area played their part in helping the Ledbury Swimming Club to its first ever Bluebell properties Junior League Championship.

A coach full of excited parents and over 40 15 and under swimmers went to the final Junior League gala, leading the championship and with a chance of winning first place in the league.

Due to confusion over the start time Lucy Bennion arrived for the first event, got changed and immediately swam in the relay race! The team achieved second place.

The pressure was on and Ledbury struggled to achieve good positions in the following few events, against the strong competition from Worcester, Hereford and Cwmbran. Richard Chandler, however, achieved an excellent PB in the 10 years one length back stroke. Sarah Bethell and Hywel Pothecary gained PBs in the 50 metre butterfly races. In event nine Lucy Bennion did a good PB in the two lengths breaststroke and Harry Roberts managed to take second place for the boys

In event 11 Laura West did a PB in the four lengths freestyle. Jason Hale achieved his personal target of under one minute in the four lengths freestyle achieving a time of 59.55 seconds but he was just pipped to the post by Cwmbran.

Ledbury made steady progress in the relay races (events 13-18) achieving three second places, two third places and a fourth. Pippa Collins came second in the two lengths backstroke with a PB.

Ledbury's first win came in event 22, Jason Hale winning the four lengths breaststroke. Another PB for Richard Chandler in the one length freestyle. Sarah Bethell, William Cass, Arron Almond, Hayley Thomas (second place) and Hywel Pothecary (second place) all achieved PBs in the events 25, 26, 32, 33 and 34.

Ledbury's next first place was Pippa Collins with a PB in the two lengths freestyle. For the boys Harry Roberts managed a PB and their was PBs for Laura West and Jason Hale in their butterfly races. Laura also gained a PB in the 100 metre backstroke.

The under nine girls medley relay team, Alison Pudge, Amelia Watkins, Hannah Bloxsome and Jessica Hunt swam a great length each to win this event. Lucinda Houghton won the one length butterfly with a PB. Luke Rycroft achieved a PB for the boys (third place). Annabelle Wilce swam her first individual race (breaststroke) and gained a PB. Harry Roberts took first place in the boys one length breaststroke.

To round off the evening Sarah Bethell and Hywel Pothecary swam excellent freestyle races, both gaining second places with PBs.

Ledbury Club spectators could be heard from outside the pool cheering on their team (Alison Pudge, Thomas Stokes, Susan Pudge, Harry Roberts, Pippa Collins, Luke Rycroft, Sarah Bethell, Hywel Pothecary, Laura West and Jason Hale) in the Cannon, the last event (event 53).

Hereford won this gala but came third in the league. Ledbury came third in this round but this was enough to win the championship overall, defeating Worcester who came second.