Chard’s cheer after strong Western show (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Chard’s cheer after strong Western show

8:45am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Sport

A SQUAD of 29 members represented Chard Swimming Club at round one of the Western Division Arena League.

Chard looked strong from the start at Millfield, gaining top three positions in 44 of the 50 events, with first positions in no less than 14, which enabled them to finish a close second in the gala overall.

Individual first places went to Luke van den Barselaar, 16, in the open boys’ 100m freestyle, Hannah Pullinger, 16, in the open girls’ 100m individual medley and 100m freestyle, Tessa Down, 15, in the open and 15-and-under girls’ 100m breaststroke.

Also winning were Abi Dare, 15, in the 15-and-under girls’ 100m freestyle, Melissa Hanson, 14, in the 15-and-under girls’ 100m backstroke, Hope Horsfield, 13, in the 13-and-under girls’ 50m freestyle and Elisha Haw-kins, 12, in the 13-and-under girls’ 50m breaststroke.

Horsfield also secured the club gold speed badge by swimming in less than 30 seconds at the 50m freestyle for the first time.

The relay teams also did well with first places going to both the girls’ open freestyle and medley teams, both the girls’ 15-and-under freestyle and medley teams and the girls’ 13-and-under freestyle team.

Chard – Girls: Hannah Pullinger, Abi Dare, Tessa Down, Melissa Hanson, Lauren Harrison, Susan Ross, Elisha Hawkins, Hope Horsfield, Abi Bonning, Flo Swan, Xanthe Dyer, Megan Herbert, Helen Underwood, Jess Patch, Boys: Luke van den Barselaar, Jake Hallam, Dan Andrews, Ben Fowler, Joe Spurway, Oli Bilbie, Jamie Pullinger, Jamie Lillington, Ashley Lillington, Lewis Pearson, Ryan Adair, Henry Taswell, Leo Kindred, Leo Bonning and Simon Davis.