PERSHORE Swimming Club finished third - their best-ever position - at the PGL League final in Gloucester.

They racked up 281 points, finishing agonisingly close to Worcester’s 287, while Redditch triumphed with 314.

Thirty-five Pershore swimmers assembled at GL1 for the final after qualifying in third place.

The final consisted of 60 events with boys and girls from 9 years to the 13/14 year age group.

In this league speeding tickets are issued for swimmers who swim faster than the entry time but they don’t secure any points.

Pershore got off to a belting start. After 20 events Pershore were leading with 103 points. Worcester were second with 99 points and Northgate in third with 95.

Pershore speeding tickets were won by Ronan Williams (13) 50m Fly, Molly Beech (11) 25m Breast, Matthew Franks (10) 25m Free, Olivia Howard (13) 50m Breast, Millie Thomas (9) 25m Back and 25m Fly, 10 years boy Medley relay comprising Harry Barnett (10), Matthew Franks (10), James Heek (10) & Toby Stanley (10) & 13/14 years Girls Medley relay team comprising: Olivia Howard (13), Sophie Thomas (13), Olivia O’Sullivan (13) & Tara Smith (13).

After 40 events, Pershore team had slipped to fourth on 180 point with Worcester leading on 203.

Pershore’s individual victories came in the following races: Tara Smith (13) 13/14 year 50m Fly (36.99s) & 50m Free (32.97s), Daniel Chalk (12) 12/u years 50m Back (40.36s), Frankie Barry (9) 9/u years 25m free (18.13s), Jack Porter (10) 10/u years 25m Fly (20.42s) & 25m Breast (24.12s), Mia Underwood (9) 9/u years 25m Breast (24.45s), Olivia Weaver (12) 12/u years 50m breast (46.85s), Harry Barnett (10) 10/u years 25m Back (20.96s). The relay teams chalked up some important victories too these were: Boys 12/u 100m medley relay Daniel Chalk (12), Lewis Cribbin (12), Oliver Smith (12) & James Heeks (12), Girls 13/14 years 100m Freestyle relay Sophie Thomas (13), Olivia O’Sullivan (13), Tara Smith (13), Olivia Howard (13), Boys 12/u years 100m Freestyle relay Daniel Chalk (12), Lewis Cribbin (12), Oliver Smith (12) & James Heeks (12).

It all hinged on the last two nail-biting races, the cannons, relay races and Pershore secured an impressive third-placed overall finish.