MONNOW Swimming Club, hosting the fifth round of the Bluebell Properties Junior League, claimed four first places, 10 second and a further six third places in a five club contest against teams from Chepstow, Cwmbran, Ledbury and Worcester at Monmouth School Sports' Complex.
This was now enough, however, to challenge the three teams heading the league and, despite finishing second for the past two years, now leaves Monnow out of the running for a top three place in this year's final round to be held in April.
However, 36 personal best performances during the 53 events show that the junior members who did take part continue to respond positively to their training endeavours.
Jennie Bucknell claimed two of the first places, winning both the 13 year girls' 50 metres breaststroke and the 15 year girls' 100 metres breaststroke.
The other two wins came in the 13 year boys' events from Gareth Johns in the 50 metre butterfly and the 13 year boys' freestyle relay team (Chris Bennett, Simon Bucknell, Gareth Johns and Charlie Risk).
Second places in the individual events were gained by Arianna Lawrence in the 10 year breaststroke; Daniela Robbins in the 13 year backstroke and butterfly; Gareth Johns in the 13 year boys' backstroke and freestyle; plus Robert Green in the 15 year backstroke.
Second placed relay tams included Olivia Orchart, Jennie Bucknell, Daniela Robins and Annabel Green; Chris Bennett, Simon bucknell, Gareth Johns and Simon Wan; Luke Rollings, Alisdair Viner, Alan Smithies and Robert Green.
Valuable third place points were added by Iona Nixon, Rachael Bennett, Holly James, Arianna Lawrence, William Lawrence, David Wan, George Orchart, Max Scarr, Daniela Robbins, Luke Rollings and Robert Green.
Other team members showing on the personal best performance list were Louise Merry, Alicia Phelps, Jodie Scarr, Tom Coton, Michael Whistance, David Link and James Donnachie, all in the 11 year age group.
This year's league leaders are Ledbury, with new to the league clubs from Worcester and Cwmbran in second and third place.
Last year's winners Hereford are fourth, Monnow fifth with Chepstow only one point behind, so the final will still provide a challenge between the more local teams.