OKEHAMPTON Otters Swimming Club on Saturday entertained the visiting teams of Kingsteignton, Launceston and the Royal Navy/Marines from Plymouth.

With a near full-strength team, the Otters were able to produce some exciting racing from the juniors up to the seniors . The highlight of the night was the winning male open freestyle and medley relay teams of Kevin Jones, Paul Hammett, Paul Biddle and the returning Simon Medlyn. They swam superbly to beat younger and probably fitter opposition over the 4 x 25m distance.

Other relay success came from the boys' 15&u freestyle relay. The team of Luke Foubister, Gavin Best, Matthew Wise and Gareth Jones, bettered an age group best time from 93. Also achieving this feat was the open female freestyle relay of Jenny Rice, Sue Rice,Holly Dennis and Laura Gommersal.

In total, seven relay records fell .

As well as those records, six age group records fell to Paul Biddle senior 50m breast (35.52), Johanna Cade 14 years 50m back (35.42), Holly Dennis 15 yrs 50m breast (41.83). This time gave Holly her first Devon qualifying time. Joe Rice 13 yrs 50m back(38.38), Charlotte Rowe 10 yrs 50m free (34.35) and Alex Wooldridge 10 yrs 25m fly (19.81)

Twelve swimmers gained 17 individual first places. Jenny Rice was on form to attain four of them, including a county time for the rarely raced 50m breast. Other swimmers to gain two wins each were Becky Rowe and Jo Cade. One win apiece from Charlotte Rowe, Gareth Jones, Alex Wooldridge, Aaron Diaz, Tom Bradley, Vicky Medlyn, Paul Lawrence, Simon Medlyn and Matthew Wise.

Eight first places were gained from the relay teams to give 25 out of a total of 65 events. Coupled with this were 29 second places to give the Otters a grand total of 205 points.

But this was not quite enough as Launceston kept their noses in front throughout the gala to win on 217 points. Third were RnRm 137, fourth Kingsteignton on 66.

The 28 pb times swum showed no lack of effort by the squad to catch Launceston, These were from Gavin Best, Paul Biddle (2), Elena Binns, Jo Cade, Harriet Davies, Aaron Diaz, Holly Dennis, Sarah Gommersal, Abby Hill, Gareth Jones, Hayley Jones, Paul Lawrence, Simon Medlyn (2), Vicky Medlyn (3), Jenny Rice, John Radnor, Joe Rice, Charlotte Rowe and Alex Wooldridge.

Coach Nigel West thanked all who helped to run the gala.

'The swimmers haven't had a chance to compete lately due to the summer break and getting back into the routine of training .

'I think some showed a hunger to prove themselves in front of their home supporters and showed up really well,' he said.

The next gala is at Kingsbridge on November 3.

Any new members are always welcome to attend training. Ring Nigel on 53431 to arrange a time to swim.