SWIMMING: Ledbury make a splash (From Malvern Gazette)

SWIMMING: Ledbury make a splash

11:05am Friday 30th November 2012 in Local

LEDBURY and District Amateur Swimming Club made the short trip to Hereford for the annual open meeting with some fine efforts from the team.

Tom Harris, Alex Middleton, Calypso Harvey and James Casewell all achieved the qualification standard for next year’s regional championships.

It caps a fine year for Casewell, nine, who is ranked number one in Great Britain for his 200-metre freestyle and 200m breaststroke in his age group.

Getting closer to the mark with impressive swimming were Lucas Dewe, Lauren Freestone and Eve Watson with the latter in only her first year of competitive action.

The club now have a group of 42 swimmers who have achieved the county qualifying standard, thanks to additions from Harry Bloxsome and first-timer Bryn Batten, on nearly 300 events with two months of qualifying to go.

This is a big improvement on last year when 28 swimmers competed at county level for the Lawnside Roadbased club.

Close to qualifying are Caitlin Wild in the 100m freestyle and also Freddie McGhee in the 200m breaststroke after they both set massive personal bests.

The top girl and boy trophies were awarded in each age group at Hereford with Ledbury swimmers securing three of the titles.

The winners were the dominant Casewell, Freestone, 11, and Dewe, 12, while the club finished second overall in the visiting club trophy standings behind a big squad from Shropshire outfit Shrewsbury. Anyone interested in joining the Ledbury club, who also train at Malvern College and out of the pool at Ledbury Youth Centre, Bye Street, can email swimtrial@ladasc.com to arrange a trial.

Potential sponsors are welcome to contact clubsecretary@ ladasc.com 􀁥􀁥 Elsewhere, Newent Rugby Club host one of the biggest games in their history tomorrow.

They play in the Gloucestershire RFU Junior Vase final against Longlevens at the Recreation Ground (2pm) and are hoping for plenty of support from the town.

A victory over their Gloucestershire Division One rivals would put table-toppers Newent three games away from an appearance at Twickenham.