HARWICH Swimming Club celebrated a fantastic victory at the second round of the Essex Mini League, in Brentwood.

They were hoping to build on the second place they achieved during the first gala.

And they did that in style, ending the evening in first place by a massive 26 points.

The accumulated 163 points, seeing off the challenge of Harlow (137), Braintree (133), Brentwood (124) and Maldon (106).

The opening win of the night came from the nine-year-old boys’ medley relay team of Jack Walker, Joshua Annett, Sam Hand and Louis Walker.

The Walker brothers were taking part in their first gala.

There were further wins for Lewis Williams, in the open fly, Callum Everitt, in the open freestyle, Matthew Kent, in the ten-and-under butterfly, Ruby Hammond, in the 11-and-under butterfly, Joshua Herbert, in the 13-and-under butterfly, the open boys’ and 13-and-under girls’ freestyle relay teams and the girls’ breaststroke relay team.

Many of the swimmers achieved personal bests, notably Zachary Herbert, shaving eight seconds from his previous best in the 100m freestyle, and Eve Oakley (12 seconds) in the 50m freestyle.

For his first and second places, with personal bests in both races, Matthew Kent (pictured) won the swimmer-of-the- gala award.