A COMPARATIVELY small team of juniors from Monnow Swimming Club tested their stamina against much larger groups from both Cinderford and Dursley clubs in a non league gala at Heywood Sports Centre, claiming 21 first places from the 49 events.

The 11 boys in the team contributed 16 wins and eight second places from their 24 events, while an even smaller group of seven girls added a further four wins plus seven second places and shared another win with the boys in the final mixed Cannon.

Five of the team were making tier Club debuts, adding valuable points towards the Club's second place, only eight points behind the home club in the team competition. These included Louise Merry, Megan Griffiths, Michael Whistance, Craig Whistance and Alisdair Viner, while Naomi Howells helped to add a total of 14 points by competing in nine of the 49 events.

Monnow's individual event wins were gained by Edward Kowal (butterfly and freestyle), James Donnachie (breaststroke and backstroke) in the 10 year group; Annabel Green (freestyle), Simon Bucknell (breaststroke) and Chris Bennett (butterfly) in the 11 year age group; Charlie Risk (freestyle and breaststroke) in the 12 year age group; plus Kim Sambrook (backstroke) and Robert Green (freestyle) in the 14 year age group.

Winning relay teams included Ellie Gomery, Michael Whistance, Edward Kowal, James Donnachie, David Link, Simon Bucknell, Chris Bennett, Annabel Green, Charlie Risk, Jennie Bucknell, Kim Sambrook, Luke Rollings, Alisdair Viner, Craig Whistance and Robert Green.