Stevenage won the second Jeff Cook Memorial Gala organised by Hitchin Swimming Club. More than 150 junior swimmers competed in the gala representing teams from Hitchin, Stevenage, Bishop s Stortford, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and Potters Bar. T

Stevenage won the second Jeff Cook Memorial Gala organised by Hitchin Swimming Club.

More than 150 junior swimmers competed in the gala representing teams from Hitchin, Stevenage, Bishop's Stortford, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and Potters Bar.

The annual gala is held in memory of Jeff Cook, a former club chairman who died suddenly in February 2004.

He was involved in swimming for more than 35 years at all levels of the sport, including international duties for the GB team and holding the role of ASA president in 2003.

During the evening, Hitchin were also presented with their Swim 21 Accreditation Certificate by Kevin Wray, the regional director for the ASA Eastern Region.

Swim 21 is a national award that is regarded as the backbone of the ASA's development programme.

The accreditation also qualifies the club for Sport England Clubmark - a national award that is presented to all sports clubs who can demonstrate the provision of a quality service to their members.

If you are interested in joining Hitchin Swimming Club, call 01462 615133 for further details.

Stevenage's young swimmers were in blistering form at the gala. They racked up 15 first places, 13 seconds and six thirds from the 41 races.

Delighted Stevenage club coach John Lowe said: "This is an excellent result for our youngest swimmers against formidable opposition.

"It was the first major competition for some of our youngsters and they, along with the rest of the team, rose to the challenge. I'm very pleased for the whole team - this is a well deserved reward for all of the hard work they put in during training."

Jean Cook presented the trophy to Stevenage's joint captains Carina Bays and Jake Robinson.

Stevenage's winning team were Christie and Carina Bays, Danielle Murphy, Emma Stewart, Georgia Hazell, Grace Coventry, Grace Buckhurst, Jessica Jackson, Kirsty Hamshere, Karshana Staines, Megan Nation, Molly Ewins, Rosamond Leather, Zoe Buckley, Chris Witney, Danny Buckley, David Spicer, Jack Steel, Jake Robinson, Josh Andrews, Joseph Mileusnic, Liam Doonan, Martyn Walton, Rory Macraild, Sam Vessey, Thomas Hills and Thomas Worbey.

Final positions: 1st Stevenage (103pts), 2nd Hemel Hempstead (124pts), 3rd Bishop's Stortford (151pts), 4th Hitchin Gold (200pts), 5th Hatfield (213pts), 6th Potters Bar (216pts), 7th Harpenden (237pts), 8th Hitchin Blue (268pts).

P Stevenage also entered a team of six swimmers at the Luton short course open meet at Barnet Copthall.

Shaun Dempsey won a gold in the 50m breaststroke while Tony Keast, Ross and Rhiannon Gillon, Danny Buckley and Matthew Pallett gained personal bests over the weekend.

Ross Gillon travelled to Norwich for the ASA East Region's long course youth championships at the University of East Anglia and gained personal bests for all his events.