A long absent Debbie Smith was welcomed back to competition last week and it didn’t take too long for her to get back into the rhythm, making the 50m final.

Also making the 50m final were Bruce Durrington, Sharon Danvers, Gary Dixon and Terry Marsh.

Debbie was first away on handicap and the remaining swimmers followed in very close sequence. It was anyone’s race at the 25m turn but close to the finish it was Dixon and Marsh who were fighting for the win with Dixon just tipping out Marsh in the last few strokes.

However there was bad news for these lads as the judge had them breaking their times by at least one second. Bruce was next to arrive on the scene and recording a time just .18 off his nominated, was awarded the win with Sharon taking second place and Debbie third.

The 25m freestyle final only had four starters as all competitors in the second heat had been disqualified.

Bruce Durrington and Terry Marsh were trying their luck once again in this final with Jenny Vickery and Steve Donnelly coming in fresh.

Bruce covered the distance just a little too quickly and received the dreaded “D”. Jenny was next home and being only .04 off her time was awarded the win from a fast finishing Steve and Terry took third place.

Jake Kroehnert, Sharon Danvers, Karlie Cleaver, Andrew Madden and Richard Sear made up the five finalists in the 25m breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly event.

All contestants were stroke for stroke as they neared the end of the pool but a strong extra effort from Jake put him in the lead right when it counted.

Registering a time just .06 off his nominated Jake secured the win with Richard taking second and Andrew in third.

It is noted that many swimmers who do not make a final head for the showers early. When doing this please keep in mind that finals still require time keepers and judges so it would be wonderful if you could try and hang around a few moments longer to help out.

Toni Ensbey