Alan's treble helps Otters reclaim title

By dtill

FERNDOWN Otters have regained their Southern Junior League title after coming second to neighbours Bournemouth Dolphins for the last two years. The young Otters led the 49-race final at Bristol almost from the start to finish 19 points clear of Swindon's SX3 squad, with Bournemouth having to settle for third place 38 points adrift. It was Ferndown's ninth title in a 21-year spell during which they have also come second eight times. They will now represent the league against five other league champions in the national semi-final in October. Junior team coach Emma Hirst said: "This was a fantastic achievement after coming second to Bournemouth in the last two years. The atmosphere was electric and all our swimmers raised their performances against tough opposition."

Alan Wong led the scoring for Ferndown, winning the 50m backstroke and butterfly in his own 11 years age group before stepping up to win the 12 years backstroke.

Other individual winners were 12-year-olds Todd Price and Lucy Kirkham in the boys' and girls' 12 years 50m freestyle; Harriet Higgins in the 11 years 50m breaststroke; Alex Price in the 10 years 50m butterfly; and Lucy Brain in the 9 years 25m butterfly.

Result: Ferndown Otters 222, Swindon SX3 213, Bournemouth Dolphins 184, Yeovil 161, Southwold 134, Weston-super-Mare 123.