LEDBURY & District ASC swimmers were celebrating their huge achievement of winning the Bluebell Properties Junior League for the second year following an exciting final round at Hereford on Saturday.

Ledbury went into the final with a two point lead over Worcester and, knowing that both Worcester and Hereford would put out their strongest swimmers, realised the entire team would have to work extremely hard to finish in third position to win the league.

Tension was high for the nine year old boys, George Bennion, Bradley Smith, James Middleton & Patrick Blake as they desperately wanted to finish the league unbeaten in both their freestyle and medley relays and they all swam well to shrug off the opposition and win both events.

First place honours also went to the nine year old girls' freestyle relay, Katie Batley, Kate Docherty, Jessica Hunt and Heather Farmer.

The 10 year girls' medley relay, Annabelle Wilce, Charlie Scott Wilson, Hannah Bloxsome and Alison Pudge were awarded a first, following the disqualification of the Worcester team for a stroke fault. The team had to be patient and wait until event 10, the boys 11/u 50m breaststroke before celebrating their first individual winner when Harry Roberts swam an inspired second length to overtake the leaders and power to the finish almost half a second ahead.

Next swimmer to enjoy the accolades of her team mates was 10 year old Alison Pudge winning the girls 25m freestyle in 16.11 seconds. All eyes were on 11/u swimmer Chloe Watson as she lined up for her final race, the 50m freestyle. Having been forced into second place in her breaststroke and fourth in the backstroke this was her last attempt to remain unbeaten during the entire five rounds and she finished a comfortable three seconds ahead.

A popular victory for the Ledbury team was by the girls team captain, Laura West in the 15/u girls 50m butterfly. Laura also swam the 100m backstroke and the 100m freestyle achieving new personal best times in both.

In the 13/u 50m breaststroke race, 12 year old Rachael Lea battled the entire two lengths with the Worcester swimmer, losing by a touch but attaining a new pb. Luke Rycroft (11) finished a creditable 4th in the 13/u 50m butterfly, with a new pb and also swam a new pb in his 50m backstroke event. Annabelle Wilce continues to shave tenths of seconds off her 25m race times, new pb's in both her breaststroke and backstroke events.

Thomas Pinnell finished in second place in his 10yrs 25m breaststroke race with a new pb, as did Thomas Stokes in the 25m backstroke. The best received pb went to 13 year old Joe Platt who has earned the respect of all the team by swimming the 100m backstroke in the 15/u age group every round - without complaint despite this not being his best event and having such older, daunting competition!

Hereford emerged gala winners with 248 points followed by Worcester 238, Ledbury 219, Monnow 194, Chepstow 122 and Cwmbran 83.

Ledbury swimmers proudly led the procession of winners around the pool, having been awarded their gold medals followed by Worcester, silver and Monmouth, bronze.

Vice chairman of LADASC, Mike Hardy congratulated all the swimmers, for both their effort and wonderful team spirit.

Head Coach, Viv Jones was presented with flowers and champagne by the captains, Hywel Pothecary and Laura West.

Information and an update of all club activities is available on www. ladasc.f9.co.uk