LEDBURY & District ASC were the host team for an exciting round of the PGL League on Saturday.

Participating teams were, Ross-on-Wye, Wyre Forest, Worcester and Ledbury. This is a graded gala with a set time limit for each event. When swimmers exceed that limit they are recorded with a 'speeding ticket' and no points!

After 10 events Ledbury were one point ahead, with winning swims from the 10/u boys medley team, Thomas Stokes, George Cusworth, Ruari Smith Cooper and Patrick Blake, the 10/u girls medley team, Heather Farmer, Amelia Watkins, Hannah Bloxsome and Jesssica Hunt and the 9 years girls breaststroke relay, Josie Rycroft, Katie Batley, Rosie Docherty and Kate Docherty.

After 20 events, Ledbury had gained a two point lead with Annabelle Wilce winning her 11/u girls freestyle and two butterfly wins from Charlie Scott Wilson (11/u) and Patrick Blake (10/u), all swimmers recording new personal best times. There was another win for the 9 years girls medley relay, Emily and Kate Docherty, Josie Rycroft and Katie Batley.

By 30 events Ledbury were hanging on by one point, following a speeding ticket for Ruari Smith Cooper winning the 10/u freestyle, full points for Heather Farmer in the 10/u freestyle and David Docherty in the 12/u breaststroke. The 9-year-olds once again demonstrated their skills with both the boys, Bradley Smith, James Middleton, Alex Allen and George Bennion and the girls, Kate Docherty, Katie Batley, Josie Rycroft and Emily Docherty winning their backstroke relays.

A speeding ticket went to male team captain Thomas James in the 13/u breaststroke event so no points but a great new pb time! Luke Rycroft swam a pb to win the freestyle event as did Ruari Smith Cooper and Jessica Hunt in the 10/u backstroke. Lucinda Houghton swam superbly well with some plucky relay swims and winning the 50m 13/u freestyle. Patrick Blake showed his versatility this time victorious in the 11/u backstroke, team mate Thomas Stokes tasked with breaststroke for the first time, being too fast for his backstroke and freestyle races, was delighted with a new pb and a first place. Relay successes came from the 9 years girls freestyle relay and Alison Pudge, Heather Farmer, Charlie Scott Wilson and Hannah Bloxsome in the 11/u Freestyle relay.

With seven remaining races, all freestyle relays, Ledbury had a two point advantage. As expected these races were close with all four teams sharing the wins.

Ledbury were victorious in three, the 11/u girls, 10/u boys and girls.

The final and most prestigious race of the gala was the cannon, a boy and girl from each age group. James Middleton set the pace with an excellent length giving Kate Docherty a fighting chance to stay up with the leaders, Wyre Forest.

Thomas Stokes pulled away and Alison Pudge was determined to keep that lead. 11/u swimmers Richard Chandler and Annabelle Wilce hung on gamely to give Luke Rycroft a slight lead over the gaining Worcester team. Lucy Bennion had a brilliant 15 second length to give Thomas James the opportunity of gaining a little more lead for final swimmer Lucinda Houghton to show her determination and take the victory for a very excited Ledbury team.

Despite all their efforts and achievements throughout the evening Ledbury eventually had to settle for second place, the final points being, Worcester 173, Ledbury 171.5, Wyre Forest 104.5, Ross-on-Wye 92.

Head coach Viv Jones said: "This was a tremendous gala for us resulting in 19 pb's and many commendable relay swims.

"With one more round remaining I am hopeful we can fulfil our aim to secure enough gala points to take us into the A Final, which would be a great achievement in our first year of joining this league."