Romsey and Totton swimmers enjoyed their first competition for the club despite losing out to Bournemouth A & B, Havant & Waterlooville and Blandford in a B Grade Gala at Stokewood Leisure Centre, Bournemouth.

Cat Witcombe swam seven races for the club, and brother Euan swam four, including wins in the Boys 12/under 50yd freestyle and 50yd fly.

Another strong performance came from Steve Reader, second in the Boys 14/under 50yd fly and 4 x 25yd individual medley.

In the boys 10/under races, the team of David Sisi, with newcomers William Harper, James Effany and Adam Fadli, were second in the Freestyle relay.

David, James and Adam, together with Jacob Dunning, were also second place in the medley relay.

There were third places for Steve Burr (breaststroke) on his first outing for the club, Rachel Hunter (freestyle), Adam Such (freestyle), Rebecca Such (fly), Jacob Dunning (fly) and Chris Read (breaststroke).

The Boys 14/under team of Steve Burr, Justin Holmes, Adam Peters and Adam Such were third in both the freestyle and medley relays, as were the boys open medley relay team of Sam Dunning, Jon Coombes, Steve Reader and Chris Read.

Other debutants were Bethan Brennan, Helen Bigwood, Vanessa Pearce, Clare McKenna, Maisy Palmer, Katy Siddell and Bethany Coombes.

Totton's A team competed in the second round of the Speedo league in Basingstoke.

The prospects were not good with several swimmers missing and most others in the lower part of the two-year age groups that are used in Speedo competition.

But the reality turned up some magnificent feats of speed and endurance which included Mike Reader, Tony Fields, Matt Edwards and Chris 'Eric' Coombes winning a second place in the men's open medley relay.

Third places went to Catherine Whitley for the Under 12 50m backstroke, Katie Hunter for the Under 16 100m backstroke and Mike Reader for the men's open 100m backstroke.

Charlie Cardy and Chris Coombes were third in the ladies and men's open 100m freestyle.

Special mention goes to Katie Hunter, Megan Gosney, Jonathon Green, Rachel Pearce, Matt Tilbury, Dan Lace, Jenny Whitley, Jessica Fay and Rachel Elkins, who all swam in more than one age group.

Jacob Coy, Bob Hill and Laura White made their A team debuts while Peter Dibben made his comeback after a long spell out injured.

Totton & Romsey are preparing for the Club Championships to be held at Totton Recreation Centre on November 29-December 1.

Anyone wanting more information about the club may visit http://www.ratswim.org, or contact Di Gosney (Hon. Secretary) on 01794 515227.