CIRENCESTER Swimming Club hosted and won the first Cotswold League gala of the season in magnificent style.

Cirencester Swimming Club

Cotswold League Gala

Swimmers aged between nine and 18 competed and won 32 of the 52 races.

Molly Stephens started in fine style with a win in the 15/U individual medley and Joseph Thornton followed with a new personal best. Joseph continued his good form to gain two further PBs and the Top Paddler award.

The relay races were most exciting, especially for the younger swimmers. The 11/U teams won every relay, a positive sign for the future success of the club.

The 13/U girls' team, including Phoebe Carter, Anne Farnham, Steph Loftus, Abigail Maggs and Holly Sillars, had a flawless performance and were unbeaten in every race.

Other notable swims came from Rufus Elsey (two PBs) and Maddie Stephens who not only gained a PB in the toughest race of the night (100m butterfly) but a most exciting win.

Max Heywood swam his least favourite strokes – fly and backstroke – yet was rewarded with two PBs.

The following swimmers also recorded PBs: Jordan Thornton (100m IM,); Chloe Ferris and Ollie Gray (11/U freestyle); Holly Sillars, Pippa Biggs and Joseph Thornton (50m breaststroke); Kieran Beames (100m fly); Jessica Kenny and Ollie Gray (11/U fly); Holly Sillars, Pippa Biggs and Jordan Newport (freestyle); Megan Byford and Alfie Becket (11/U backstroke); Steph Loftus and Aaron White (50m fly); Lucy Caston and Joshua Maggs (11/U breaststroke) and Aaron White (50m backstroke).

An amazing 25 PBs were recorded by the club in 36 individual races.

Cirencester won the gala with a total of 181 points and are in a strong position going into the next round later this month.