THE start of the 2014/15 Arena League saw the Tornadoes of South Dorset travel to Horfield in Bristol for a tough gala against teams from Bristol, Swansea, Neath, Wells, West Wiltshire, Severnside and North Dorset.

From the outset, it was City of Swansea that set the pace and they ultimately ran out comfortable winners, securing 34 first places out of a possible 50.

Tornadoes did not let this distract them and managed to win seven of the other 16 races and claimed a further 16 top-three finishes.

As the evening developed, it became a tussle between the Tornadoes, Neath and United Bristol Swimming for second place.

Bethany Firth, Abigail Barnes, Tabitha Samouelle and Jessica Gale got the first win of the evening for the Tornadoes in the 11-and-under 4x50m freestyle relay.

Samouelle also won the 50m breaststroke while Gale went on to finish first in the 50m backstroke in a personal best time.

In between these individual victories, Jennifer Scott won the ladies’ open 100m backstroke, going less than 1min 7secs for the first time.

She was back in the pool later in the evening to win the open 100m freestyle in a race that saw her match the Swansea swimmer for 75m and then pull away in the last 25m.

Completing the victories for the Osprey-based team were the fast-improving Josh Frampton in the 13-and-under 100m freestyle and the experienced Craig Bishop in the open 100m freestyle.

Final result: City of Swansea – 307 points, United Bristol Swimming 216pts, Tornadoes 209pts, Neath 202pts, West Wiltshire 184pts, Severnside 173pts, Wells 122pts, North Dorset 79pts.

This was a fantastic result for Tornadoes against some quality opposition.

“Once again they have stepped up and produced great swims and good skills in general,” said lead coach Chris Beal. “Very happy is an understatement.”

Other personal bests:

Abigail Barnes – 50m freestyle

Luke Bassett – 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly

Josh Frampton – 100m butterfly (twice)

Jessica Gale – 50m freestyle

Aaron Griffin – 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle

Abigail Hamilton – 50m freestyle, 50m and 100m breaststroke

Kirsty Holmes – 50m freestyle (twice) and 100m backstroke

Mila King – 50m backstroke (twice), 50m freestyle (twice), 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle

Niall Laming – 50m breaststroke

Lewis Limm – 50m freestyle (twice)

Oliver Mills – 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke (twice) and 100m breaststroke

Phoebe Mills – 50m backstroke Chloe Perkins – 50m and 100m butterfly

Emma Perkins – 50m freestyle

Ciaran Richards – 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 200m IM

Emily Robinson – 50m freestyle (twice) and 100m breaststroke

Tabitha Samouelle – 50m freestyle

Eleanor Smith – 50m freestyle (twice) and 100m backstroke

Henry Wyril – 50m freestyle (four times)

* Anyone wishing to join Tornadoes of South Dorset can contact the club secretary to arrange an assessment by emailing tornadoessecretary@btinternet.com