Letchworth Sharks swimmers nearly won the Bletchley Novice Meet on Saturday. They only lost by a handful of points to Newport Pagnell, with Bletchley and Lewsey a long way back. Tom Plater was swimmer of the gala in winning both his butterfly and freestyl

Letchworth Sharks swimmers nearly won the Bletchley Novice Meet on Saturday.

They only lost by a handful of points to Newport Pagnell, with Bletchley and Lewsey a long way back.

Tom Plater was swimmer of the gala in winning both his butterfly and freestyle races in new personal best times. The freestyle set a new club record for 16 and under boys, and moved him to top of the Letchworth freestyle rankings.

Georgina Burns won the 12 years backstroke, Hannah Ledwold the girls' 14 years breaststroke in a new personal best, Ryan Murphy the boys' 14 years breaststroke, Robyn Godfrey the girls' 12 years breaststroke (pb), Mike Levet the boys' 14 years freestyle (pb), and 12-year-old Erin Tomlin the girls' 16 years backstroke.

Paul Foster had a good meet, setting a new time for himself in the 16 years breaststroke, breaking the 16 years individual medley club record, and with Ricky Cortis, Sebastian deTrafford and Ben R Taylor shaving half a second off the boys' 16 years freestyle relay club record.

Lucy Keen had similar success, breaking the girls' 16 years individual medley club record, and along with Lucy Palmer, Erin Tomlin and Georgina Quayle smashed the club record for girls' 16 years free relay.

Dominic Bush, in his last competitive swim for the Sharks, set a platinum speed time for the open freestyle.

Emma Edwards and Lucy Palmer set new personal bests, as did Katrina Bush and Richard Thomson in breaststroke, Ashleigh Godfrey and Alex Hawkins in backstroke, Georgina Godfrey and Katie Sale in butterfly, plus Georgina Quayle in the individual medley.

After all the success for the Sharks, it was a sad day with long-term coach and teacher Colin Davies retiring after two decades of service.

A presentation was made to him by the swimmers and staff after which, in celebration of his coaching expertise, the Sharks threw him into the pool for one last soaking!