LETCHWORTH Sharks are top of the Chiltern League after the first round of galas on Saturday. Sharks won by 42 points, beating Houghton Regis into second place, as well as Bourne End, Bushey and Buckingham. James Smith was the outstanding swimmer of the ni

LETCHWORTH Sharks are top of the Chiltern League after the first round of galas on Saturday.

Sharks won by 42 points, beating Houghton Regis into second place, as well as Bourne End, Bushey and Buckingham.

James Smith was the outstanding swimmer of the night. He won both his 10 years breaststroke and freestyle events, smashed his personal best times, and was voted as the swimmer of the gala by the coaches.

Also in the 10 years category, Joseph Pridmore won his freestyle race in a new best time as did Zoë Taylor and Robyn Godfrey.

Megan Levet and Richard Thomson broke their personal records in the backstroke, and Megan won her breaststroke race in a new personal best time.

The girls' relay teams won both their races with Fiona Thornton and Annabel Bexfield supporting Megan, Zoë and Robyn.

The 12-year-olds saw Imogen DeTrafford win in her best ever time in the freestyle with Charlie Bexfield winning his free race, Michael Levet lowered his backstroke personal best, Lottie Cartwright achieved a new breaststroke time and Nick Ledwold broke his butterfly time.

The girls' relay team of Imogen, Ellie Hardy, Georgina Godfrey and Louise Kiernan won the medley event.

The same story of success continued in the 14 year group with Kate Nicholson winning the freestyle, Hannah Ledwold and Ben Taylor setting better personal times in breaststroke as did Ashleigh Godfrey in the butterfly.

Both freestyle teams won their events - Georgina Godfrey, Hannah Ledwold, Georgina Quayle, Laura Deering, Tom Plater, Ben R Taylor, Ben Taylor and Mike Hardy the victors.

The open age group saw more great swims with 12-year-old Georgina Quayle winning the ladies' freestyle race in a new personal best time.

Chris Hughes lowered his personal standard in freestyle, Claire Foster won her breaststroke race, Bradley Cartwright won his butterfly race in a new best time and brother and sister Claire and Paul Foster achieved new personal best times in the individual medley races.

In time honoured tradition, head coach Alan Tomlin will now be thrown into the pool at the next coaching session as a reward for winning so emphatically!

* A nine-year-old Mid Beds Squad swimmer has stunned coaches by achieving regional championship qualifying times in seven events - in his first major competition.

But Ethan Farrell, who also swims for Biggleswade and who lives in Letchworth GC, will not be able to compete in the East Region championships in Norwich later this year because he is too young.

Swimmers have to be 10 to take part so the youngster will have to repeat his feat next year and qualify for the 2008 championships. Farrell joined the Mid Beds Squad, which is based in Biggleswade, a year ago.

He achieved qualifying times in the 10 year age group in 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley at the recent Biggleswade Open.

Mid Beds' head coach Vix Metcalf said: "It was his first open meeting and he achieved seven regional qualifying times - a fantastic achievement.

"But he cannot go to the championships as he is too young. The youngest age that you can compete at the regional championships is 10.