A short-handed City of Southampton squad let a winning start to the new season slip from their grasp as the effort of swimming multiple events eventually took its toll. Last year's winners of the Harold Hemmant Trophy had to play second fiddle to the club they beat then, as Crawley overhauled the long-time leaders in the last half-dozen relay events.

City's Lois Farrier won the open 100m butterfly in a pb 1m 06 seconds - a fine start to the season. But just as notable were some of the club's multiple efforts. Joe Tellett won the under-15 100m freestyle and backstroke and then stepped up an age-group to win the under-17 backstroke - and was soon back racing in the relays. Breaststroker David Bywater added under-15 and under-17 butterfly swims, plus relays, to his preferred event.

It was a similar story for Eastleigh Fleming Park. Thirteen-year-old Sam Taylor raced the 100m butterfly at under-15, under-17 and open levels (for a third and two fifths) as the club struggled to fill all its individual slots.

But the relays were a different story. Eastleigh moved up strongly with their girls teams particularly dominant.

The under-13 quartet of Melanie Seymour, Amy Rooney, Lucy Newbegin and Samantha Knight won both freestyle and medley relays, with Knight (50m breaststroke) and Newbegin (50m backstroke) adding individual victories. David Wooding won the boys' 50m backstroke in the same age-group.

Not to be outdone, the under-17 team (Jacqui Purkiss, Abigal Manton, Natasha Smith and Hayley Mills) won both its relays, with Smith (100m butterfly) and Manton (breaststroke) their individual winners.

And the under-15 girls (Hayley Parsons, Rikki Jackson, Linzi Asher, Natasha Symour) took medley gold and freestyle silver. Jackson - 12th in her age group at the nationals this summer - was a predictable 100m breaststroke winner here. David Lawrie, the ex-national finalist returning to Eastleigh (from Portsmouth Northsea) this year as assistant coach, easily won the open 100m backstroke, then helped the men's quartet to medley silver and freestyle gold.

Lawrie, James Wilmot and Philip Malhuish had to rely on 14-year-old Christopher Adoo to step up on the anchor leg and bring home the victory.

Hosts Gosport Dolphins led briefly early on, before settling back into fourth place with a single victory. Aaron Giles' win in the open 100m breaststroke was particularly impressive coming so soon after four months missed training on RAF duty in the Falklands.

New Milton Torpedoes made a rare venture into A-string competition and finished last, but not outclassed. Wins from Simon Biddell (under-17) and Adam Price (under-15) in the 100m butterfly and a double from Richard Butler in the under-17 100m breaststroke (a club record 1.17.94) and freestyle helped New Milton to the 100-point mark. Among Torpedoes' five second placers was Martin Scott (open 100m breaststroke). The 30-year-old clocking 1.16.64 to leave younger talents in his wake.

Hamble Jets - not seen on the competitive circuit for the last couple of years - missed this event but should return to gala swimming tonight at a Winchester City Penguins friendly. City of Southampton travel to Bracknell for a friendly gala while Fareham Nomads and Gosport Dolphins turn out in the Rother League.

Result: Crawley 182 points; City of Southampton 175; Eastleigh Fleming Park 157; Gosport Dolphins 120; New Milton Torpedoes 100.

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