A WELL-prepared squad of swimmers from City of Hereford SC won 36 out of 50 events when they travelled to Aylesbury for the first round of the National Speedo League.

This was the first team competition of the new season for new coach Matt Puddy and high expectations were justified with Hereford swimmers finishing second in all other events.

Puddy, 22, has moved to Hereford from the City of Bristol. He was a former swim school co-ordinator/head swimming teacher at Bishopsworth Swimming Club, age-group coach at City of Bristol SC, chief coach of Bristol Henleaze SC and has enjoyed six years of teaching and coaching successes.

Result: City of Hereford 277, Dunstable 209, Aylesbury 206, Rugby 144, Fox Hollies 117, Luton 0 Individual Event Winners: Charlotte Tully, Pat Meggitt, Lydia Waldron, Tom Harris, Joshua Darby, Jess Rogers, Otto Putland, Josh Haines, Grace Alexander, Taylor Whitchurch, Lucia Hinksman, Connor Smith, Andy Fieldhouse, Hannah Casewell, Daniel Westoby, Crystal Cope, Laurence Gummerson, Micheal Herbert.

An encouraging message was sent to the new coach from his swimmers at City of Hereford's recent club championships. More than 80% of races resulted in personal bests and 14 all-time club championship records broken.

Club Championship Record Breakers: Josh Haines 16/ov 50m Freestyle, Josh Haines 16/ov 200m Butterfly, Josh Haines 16/ov 50m Butterfly, Chris Bayliss 16/ov 50m Breaststroke, Chris Bayliss 16/ov 100m Breaststroke, Charlotte Tully 16/ov 50m Butterfly, Taylor Whitchurch 11/u 200m Freestyle, Taylor Whitchurch 11/u 200m Breaststroke, Nicola Putland 8/u 50m Butterfly, Nicole Putland 8/u 50m Breaststroke, Nicola Putland 8/u 50m Backstroke, Nicole Putland 8/u 50m Freestyle, Hugo Lemar 8/u 50m Freestyle, Aaron Hinckley 8/u 50m Backstroke.

City of Hereford Swimmer of the Month: Anna Douthwaite.