PERSHORE Swimming Club started the National Arena League season in fine fashion with a strong third-place finish.

After a well-earned promotion, Pershore took a huge step up in Division Two against city clubs and travelled to Market Drayton for the first round.

They managed 166 points behind Northgate (236) and Shrewsbury (177), but ahead of Kingsbury Aquarius (162), Cheadle (156) and Leicester Sharks (149).

Out of the 50 races, Pershore took first places in 12 and top-three positions in 23.

Swimming for the 11 years and under girls were Jaz Hoskins, Hannah Woodcock, Jaz Franks and Lauren Annis, who won both freestyle and medley relays with first and second places individually.

The boys’ 11 years and under team of Cam Leach, Max Aris, nine-year-old David Annis and Olly Smith was also strong. They were second in the 4x50-metre freestyle relay and Leach won the 50m freestyle in 34.06 seconds.

For the 13 years and under, there were strong displays by Megan Annis, Bella Woodcock, Alex Barry and Naomi Marsden.

Strong relay performances saw them take two wins and individual swims were impressive too.

The boys’ 13 years and under team performed superbly, with Simon Sweatman, Chris Vizard, Patrick Heeks and Luke Perry winning both relays.

They were also dominant individually, with Sweatman and Vizard winning all four races.

Vizard had fine swims in particular, including one minute 20.72 seconds in the 100m breaststroke.

In the girls’ 15 years and under team were Amy Cooper, Megan Annis, Hannah Simister and Barry.

The boys’ group comprised Josh Sharratt, Vizard, Will Clarke and Sweatman. Both teams showed commitment and dedication with great results.

Highlights were third places for the boys in the freestyle relay and for Sweatman in the 100m backstroke with 1.03.94.

Alex Dobell, Emily Burton, Helen Annis, Marie Porter, Cooper, Simister and Marsden swam in the female open category. Angus Jones, Drew Jones, James Gribble, Ben Clarke, Sweatman, Vizard and Heeks were in the male equivalent.

The teams both secured a hatful of points.

Head coach Tom Naughton said: “The effort and commitment they have shown was incredible. Third place was beyond my expectations, it was a great result.”