THE Ledbury and District Swimming Club team had mixed fortunes during the third round of the Wyvern League held at Monmouth as illness still affected many swimmers.

Many swims were only fractions of a second slower than in previous rounds but with both Worcester and Monmouth swimming strong teams they seized every opportunity to snatch an extra point. Consequently Ledbury finished in third place, four points behind Worcester, with Monmouth enjoying their first league win.

The swimmers gave their best and 13 personal best times were recorded. The finest swim of the gala was in the 15/U girls 100m breaststroke event when 13-year-old Rachael Lea showed total determination to keep with the leaders resulting in an amazing five second pb and a well deserved second place. Proving her form she also knocked half a second off her 50m fly time in addition to a couple of great relay swims.

Team captain Hywel Pothecary recorded two new pbs, 59.35 for 100m freestyle and 31.75, for 50m butterfly, following three weeks of hard work to pick himself up again following illness.

Luke Rycroft just gets faster and faster every gala, this week achieving new pbs in 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke. Charlie Scott Wilson also recorded two new times in the 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle 11/U events.

Having been unwell for the fixture last week, Hannah Bloxsome bounced back with a great win in the 11/u girls 25m butterfly race with a new pb. Mark Hinton was pleased to have taken over a second off his 50m freestyle time and Alison Pudge swam a personal best in the 50m backstroke.

Two swimmers continue to shine in the 10/U age group. Heather Farmer and Thomas Stokes remain unbeaten in the 25m backstroke event, with Thomas also winning the 25m butterfly in a fast pb of 17.44 and Heather delighted to record under 16 seconds (15.90) for a length of freestyle although just losing the touch to take second place. Turning the tables George Bennion was awarded the touch in his 25m breaststroke race after recording the same time as both the Worcester and Monmouth boys.

The nine-year-old girls relay teams, Patty Holloway, Emma Fitzpatrick, Olivia Hunt and Lucy Stokes remain unbeaten although both were dependent on a very focused Anabel Dereham on the freestyle anchor leg, diving in a couple of metres down on Worcester on both occasions she stormed to the finish, overtaking in the final eight metres for the points.

The 11-year-old boys team were victorious in both their medley and freestyle relays following some determined swims from Ruari Smith Cooper, George Cusworth, Patrick Blake and James Middleton.

James was also part of the winning nine-year-old freestyle team with his brother David, Joe Bloxsome and Bradley Smith. The final gala points were, Monmouth 258, Worcester 244, Ledbury 240, Ross-on-Wye 156 and Chepstow 150. At present Ledbury and Monmouth are joint league leaders.

Despite appeals the league has been unable to secure sponsorship this year and is dependent on each club sharing the costs. If any local business would like to help and be involved in this successful junior league contact the Ledbury club chairman, Roger Jones on 01531 660692.