Stevenage Swimming Club s two teams finished in the top six of the first and second divisions of the Herts Major League. The competition, which is held over three rounds, came to its conclusion recently. In the first two rounds, Stevenage A came third in

Stevenage Swimming Club's two teams finished in the top six of the first and second divisions of the Herts Major League.

The competition, which is held over three rounds, came to its conclusion recently.

In the first two rounds, Stevenage A came third in both galas to gain a place in the top six in the county out of 35 other clubs, while the B team also booked a place in their division's final due to successive third place results.

In Division One, the final gala at Hitchin proved to be a nailbiter.

The result went right down to the last race of the evening with Stevenage squeezed by a two-point margin into fifth by a resurgent Hoddesdon team.

From 147 races over the three rounds of the competition, the A team recorded 32 first places, 24 seconds, 25 thirds, 25 fourths, 21 fifths and 20 sixths.

In Division Two, the final gala at Biggleswade proved to be equally tense.

Several close results went the wrong way and the B team finished in a creditable sixth place.

The results mean that Stevenage A finished in fifth place overall from a field of the top 12 clubs in the county, with the B team in sixth place in their division.

Stevenage coach John Lowe was pleased with the results.

He said: "We know how good the teams are in Division One because we regularly come up against their swimmers at open galas.

"An overall fifth place from 12 is a fine result on which we will build for next year."

Assistant coach Mark Dempsey added: "Every single Stevenage swimmer gave 100 per cent to the club over the course of this year's competition - we couldn't have asked for any more.

"Our Division One team ran some capable teams very close this year, and many of our Division Two team are young, so I am certain that we can look forward to a very promising season next year.