Canvey Island Swimming Club youngsters snatched a last-gasp victory in their first team gala of 2003 at Braintree.

They eventually tied on points with their hosts but won thanks to the 18 victories they secured against Braintree's 11.

The time-banded event also allowed several competitors their debut swims, producing more than 30 liftime best times.

In the youngest age group, ten and under, there were some impressive results as Emily Preston and Jessica Williams stormed to victory in freestyle and breaststroke respectively.

Emily, swimming her first gala, also swam well in the butterfly event but her time was "too fast" for her time banding.

Ryan Daniels, Josh Cox and Ryan Campbell-Webster captured vital second places with the latter competing in a higher age group.

The boys then teamed up with Craig Murphy and Danny Baker to win both relay events in style. Charlotte Neale secured second in backstroke.

Samantha Foord-Rance, 11, pulled off a a memorable double in winning the breaststroke and butterfly with team-mate Alice Hunt ensuring her debut was a victorious one in the backstroke.

For the boys Perry Cox joined Garydd Matthews, Cody Dorrell and Max Robertson in recording lifetime best times.

Kim Martin (13) and Nick Bright kept up the Island pressure, winning the under-14 100 freestyle races in record times with Craig Reynolds first in backstroke.

Lee Murphy and Victoria Neale were second in butterfly and backstroke respectively with Michael Baker and Frankie Park third in breaststroke.

Published Wednesday, January 29, 2003

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