As Clevedon Swimming Club went into the second round of the National Speedo League competition, at Keynsham, on Saturday 10th November, they occupied the highest Speedo league position in the club's history! You would not have believed this, given the start they got. After 10 races they were last and after 26 races joint last! Clevedon had been seeded against some pretty tough opposition which included an all-star Swim Swansea squad composed entirely of Welsh National swimmers and the talented Kingsbridge Kingfishers. For a time it looked as though first place in the first Speedo gala of the season had been a fluke. Gradually, however, the team started to turn things around. A second place from Elizabeth Warnes and a first place for the increasingly impressive Matt Bray was followed up by a second place from Ben Horner and a stunning Fly victory from Sophie Hicks. These performances lifted the squad and steadily Clevedon moved into fourth place. Some solid relay wins at the end stole third place for Clevedon and has virtually ensured a place in the 'A' Final.

Final Positions:
Swim Swansea 244
Kingsbridge Kingfishers 179
Clevedon 162
Exmouth 160
Southwold 147
Caradon 135

Once again Clevedon were plagued by disqualifications, but this was a night when strength of character saw the team home. If Clevedon perform to their best in the final, there is an outside chance of promotion to the West Division 1 of the National Speedo League, a vision undreamt of two or three years ago.
Individual race wins went to Matt Bray (2), Sophie Hicks, Amber Summerell and Harry Thornton. Given the calibre of the opposition, these results are of the highest order. Team victories went to: Elliot Poulter, Ben Horner, Matthew Bray, Guy Prideaux, Chelsie Kirman, Amber Summerell, Sophie Feboul and Hayley Burston.

PB's were gained by Matt Bray and Paddy Trower. On a night when the whole team pulled together to come from behind, it would be wrong to single out individual swimmers, but Guy Prideaux swimming at least one year up was amazing in all his races and Chelsie Kirman, who swam like a dream despite a cast on her injured arm, epitomised the spirit that the team summoned up.

Graham Feboul
Press Officer