A SQUAD of 34 swimmers represented Chard Swimming Club in round one of the western division of the National Swimming League held in Weston-super-Mare, writes Heather Pullinger.

Chard fought a close duel in the pool against rivals Carn Brea, gaining an outstanding 24 top three positions in the 50 events, with seven wins.

This performance enabled them to finish second overall – a great result on their first appearance after promotion to division one.

Individual top three places went to: Open: Tessa Down 17, 1st 100m Breaststroke, Melissa Hanson 16, 2nd 100m Backstroke and 3rd 200m Individual Medley, Hannah Pullinger 18, 3rd 100m freestyle 15/Under: Lewis Pearson 15, 1st 100m freestyle, 2nd 100m backstroke, Bea Brett 14, 1st 100m Butterfly and 2nd 100m backstroke, Hope Horsfield 15, 2nd 100m Freestyle, Xanteh Dyer 13, 3rd 100m breaststroke 13/Under: Henry Taswell 13, 1st 100m Backstroke and 100m freestyle, Leo Kindred 13, 1st 100m breaststroke, Joss Copeman 13, 3rd 100m butterfly, Xanthe Dyer 13, 3rd 100m breaststroke, Baylei Callow 13, 3rd 100m butterfly 11/Under: Millie Downes 10, 1st 50m breaststroke.

The relay teams also showed some determined swimming, with seven top three positions including a first place going to the Boys 13/Under Medley team of Henry Taswell, Leo Kindred, Joss Copeman and Simon Davis.

In second place were both the Girls and Boys 15/Under Freestyle teams, the Boys 15/Under Medley team and the Boys 13/Under Freestyle team.

Both the Girls and Boys Open Freestyle teams secured third place in very closely fought final relays.

Full team: girls: Hannah Pullinger, Tessa Down, Melissa Hanson, Lauren Harrison, Susan Ross, Hope Horsfield, Flo Swan, Bea Brett, Xanthe Dyer, Megan Herbert, Baylei Callow, Briana Barrand, Millie Downes, Abi Greenslade, Harriet Copeman and Imogen Waterhouse.

Boys: Joe Spurway, Oliver Bilbie, Jamie Pullinger, Jay Kindred, Lewis Pearson, Iain Ross, Ben Greenslade, Oliver Lenthall, Henry Taswell, Leo Kindred, Simon Davis, Joss Copeman, Oliver Rodger, Oliver Bright, Louis Rood , Jimmy Brett Jamie Porter and Will Hawkins.

A total of 23 swimmers also took part in the Somerset Development Meet aimed at young and inexperienced swimmers looking to try to achieve county times for next spring.

Top three medal positions were achieved by Paul Harrison 15, 2nd 200m breaststroke, 3rd 200m backstroke; Joss Copeman 13, 1st 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly; Simon Davis 1st 200m Individual Medley, 2nd 100m backstroke, 3rd 200m freestyle, 200, 100 and 50m breaststroke; Xanthe Dyer 13, 2nd 100m freestyle; Briana Barrand 10, 1st 100m Individual Medley, 2nd 200m freestyle, 50m breaststroke; and Grace Lambert 9, 1st 50m freestyle, 2nd 200m breaststroke.