EVESHAM enjoyed success at the final round of the National Arena Swimming League.

The town finished in second place with 173 points behind winners Perry Beeches on 202 but ahead of Camp Hill on 158, Swandlincote on 151 and Ludlow on 135.

Head coach Graham Begley said: “This is the first time the club has entered the national premier swimming league in England and Wales.

“Over the season we were really competitive and more than held our own against some really strong and experienced clubs.

“This is a statement and reflection of the progress our swimmers are making.

“We have developed an extremely talented squad that are loving their swimming.

“This coupled with the friendly competitive element is taking us to levels never experienced in this club before.

“We now move into 2020 with the highest number of county-qualified swimmers the club has ever had.

“The coaches and I are really excited to see what they can achieve in 2020.”

Meanwhile, eight young Pershore swimmers attended the Soundwell open meet in Bristol.

Katie Saunders won the girls’ nine to 10 year 400-metre freestyle and was second in the 200m individual medley and 200m breaststroke as well as eighth in the 50m freestyle.

She was joined in the age group by Hannah Webley and Chelsea Pullen.

Tally Brown did nine events in the girls’ 12 year section with six top-10 positions including narrowly missing out on bronze after finishing fourth in the 100m butterfly.

Sisters Jessica and Zoe Barnes were ninth and 10th respectively in the 200m freestyle as well as competing in three other events each.

For the boys, Toby Stanley did six 12 year events and was second in the 50m breaststroke.

Stanley also got fourth in the 50m and 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.

George Howard had five 13 year swims with second in the 50m breaststroke, third in the 200m breaststroke, fifth in the 100m backstroke and sixth in the 200m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.