HARWICH Swimming Club travelled to Hornchurch for the third round of the Essex Mini League.

Most of the swimmers were competing in the longer length 33 metres pool for the first time.

They all coped extremely well and the team finished in a respectable third place, behind Romford and Colchester, who have shared the league winners spot for the last 10 years.

For Harwich, there were no fewer than ten first places – Syd Roberts in the 11 and under backstroke, Bea Parkin in the 10 and under backstroke and 10 and under butterfly, Oliver Dann in the 10 and under freestyle, Callum Everitt in the open backstroke, Ruby Hammond in the 13 and under backstroke, Joshua Herbert in the open freestyle, Zachary Herbert in the open breaststroke and the open boys and 13 and under girls' relay teams.

All the swimmers gained personal bests in their individuals as they had not swam the longer length races before.

Although only swimming relays, nine-year-old Samuel Howard was impressive, overtaking other teams to finish in second place in his age group freestyle relay and making up places in the final squadron race.

Swimmer of the gala went to Bea Parkin for winning both her individual races.

The finals points were Romford 156, Colchester 154, Harwich 135, Basildon and Phoenix 131 and Hornchurch 101.