FIVE first places and 12 second places made sure that Monnow finished ahead of their local rivals, Chepstow, in the fourth round of the Bluebell Properties' Junior Swimming League but were not quite enough to challenge the teams from Hereford and Cwmbran who started the final relay event tied with 257 points each.
Hereford, however, made sure of the top place to claim six league points, with Monnow in third place adding four to bring their league total up to 10 after three rounds.
Daniela Robbins and Robert Green each claimed two first places. Eleven year old Daniela's were won in the 13 year backstroke and freestyle, with Robert also swimming "up a year" gaining his in the 15 year backstroke and freestyle events.
Both were very close to a hat-trick but had to settle for second places in their butterfly events.
Monnow's other win was gained by Jennie Bucknell, again in the higher 15 year age group 100 metres' breaststroke, although she was pipped into second place in the 13 year 50 metres' breaststroke.
Further second places in individual events were claimed by: Arianna Lawrence in the 10 yr breaststroke, Alicia Phelps in the 11 year backstroke and Luke Rollings in the 15 year breaststroke.
Six of the Monnow relay teams also claimed second places including Iona Nixon, Holly James, Rachel Bennett, Arianna Lawrence, Alicia Phelps. Louise Merry, Jodie Scarr, Laura Riddell, Daniela Robbins, Kim Sambrook, Jennie Bucknell, Annabel Green, Maria Smithies and Olivia Orchart in the girls' teams.
Chris Bennett, Simon Bucknell, Charlie Risk, Gareth Johns, Luke Rollings, Alisdair Viner, Alan Smithies and Robert Green featured in the boys' teams, claming second places.
The next round, to be held at Monmouth School Sports' Complex, should see the return of Monnow's second Welsh Squad swimmers who were competing elsewhere on this occasion but with league leaders Ledbury and second place Worcester added to the opposition, there will be some stronger challenges.