Yet another fantastic performance from City of Hereford Swimming Club juniors has placed them in a strong position to qualify for the midlands final in September.

Hereford were in good spirits and the first quarter of the gala saw first place swims for Bea Jones (35.72s) in the 50BK and the boys 9yr medley relay (1.27.42s).

These were bolstered by second place swims from Romy Farqhar 25BR (25.54s), the girls 11u FC relay (1.12.09s), and Sam Goodwin in the 50BK (37.25s). This was enough to place the club 3rd going into the 13th event, 7pts behind 2nd placed Pershore.

Half of the next 12 races secured first place swims. Emma Phipps and Nathan Gough in the 12yr 50fly (32.38s and 33.65s), Charlie Goodwin in the 50BK (39.44s), the boys 9yr FC relay (1.15.13s) – making it a double, with Zara Beaumont and Nathan Gough winning the 12yr BR (37.31 and 40.00s). It is no surprise that this saw Hereford overtake Pershore, however, at the halfway mark they were 20pts adrift of leaders Stratford.

The next quarter saw a second win for Sam in the 12yr 50fc (32.44s) as well as Harley Sockett in the 9yr 25fc (17.15s), with Pershore pushing up into 2nd place again and the gap to 1st place now 38pts!

The team launched themselves into the final quarter with four wins from the first six events in the boys and girls 12u fc relay (1.02.13 and 59.10s), Zara Beaumont in the 11u 50BR (37.46s) and the boys 8 x 25m fc canon relay (2.15.25s).

The last six races saw the club secure another 4 wins. Harley in the 9yr BK (20.41s), Zara in the 11u 50fc (30.13s) and the boys and girls 12u medley relays (1.10.90 and 1.06.19s). This left the mixed canon which usually reflects the final result where Hereford secured 2nd (2.13.38s), and a second overall place for the club.

Andy Boucher (who is lead coach at the Ross section of the club) said: “The whole team stepped up to this round knowing a place in the final was at stake. There were only 5 swims slower than those from earlier rounds and 41 of the swims were lifetime bests for the swimmers. It was an all round great performance.”

Youngsters wishing to arrange a trial at any of the three county centres of Hereford, Ross or Leominster should email:

Final scores:

• Stratford Sharks 246

• City of Hereford 209

• Pershore 187

• Kingsbury Aquarius 156

• Wyre Forest 142

• Leicester Sharks B 117