HARWICH Swimming Club took part in their first Essex Mini League gala of 2015.

They were up against strong opposition in hosts Colchester, Maldon, Canvey and Redbridge.

However, thanks to some outstanding swims by all their youngsters, they managed to finish second overall.

First places were gained by Lewis Williams, in the open fly and breaststroke, Max Chilver, in the 11 and under breaststroke, Zachary Herbert, in the 13 and under breaststroke, Ruby Hammond, in the 11 and under butterfly, and Paige Warner, in the 13 and under butterfly.

The relay teams also performed well, with wins for the nine years boys’ team of Toby Barrington, Joshua Annett, Sam Hand and Louis Manhood, the 11 and under girls’ team of Jessica Jones, Ella Harris, Ruby Hammond and Raquel Da Silva Williams, the boys’ 11 and under team of Rohan Sage, Alex French, Max Chilver and Theo Sanderson, the 13 and under girls’ team of Raquel Da Silva Williams, Ruby Hammond, Holly Turner and Paige Warner and the team 6x1 butterfly team of Sam Hand, Matthew Kent, Theo Sanderson, Joshua Herbert, Luke Williams and Lewis Williams.

Personal bests (PBs) were gained by almost all the swimmers in their individual races and some excellent split times were achieved in the relays.

The swimmer of the gala trophy was awarded to Theo Sanderson (pictured right), for knocking eight seconds off his 50m butterfly PB time and some really fast relay splits.

Final points: Colchester 175 points, Harwich 161, Maldon 121, Canvey 120 and Redbridge 112.

Harwich return to Colchester tomorrow to take part in the first Essex League gala of the year.