WEST Dorset Warriors shot to the top of table after claiming 21 first places and 14 runners-up spots out of the 49 races in the first round of the Junior Speedo League at Bridport.

Playing host to Clayesmore, Poole, City of Newport and Frome swimming clubs, the Warriors were a cut above and were the only squad to have no disqualifications.

West Dorset head coach Janet Hewitt said: "The team as a whole were excellent and I can't fault them.

"I was especially pleased with the swimmers for whom this was their first time, particularly the little nine-year-olds Ellie Davies, Amber Cornick, Aoife McCarthy and Margi Chitty.

"All four of them held their nerve for the very first race of the competition and they were wonderful and finished a resounding first.

"I was equally pleased with the nine year old boys. Hugh Ireland, Jonathon Greenwood, Harrison Yarnold, Cameron Dabbs and Charlie Hitch-cock were a great team. Charlie also swam really well as an individual too."

Hewitt continued: "The girls' team that especially impressed me was the ten-year-olds, Lucie Fry, Imogen Slade, Ellie Webb and Charlotte Matthews. Their freestyle relay was brilliant and Lucie was great in all her races.

"For the older boys, Tom Matthews was excellent. It was his first time swimming for the team and he swam very well indeed.

"It was Daniel Felton's first team competition too and I was delighted with his swimming. I noticed how good Sam Cracknell and Luke Knight's individual breaststroke events were and I thought James Ross and Matthew Fry swam well.

"I'd also like to mention how pleased I am with Honor Slade, who was asked to stand in at the last moment and she did her team proud."

Swimmers who came first in individual events included Amie Buttle, James Ross, Peter Horne, Charlie Hitchcock, Charlotte Matthews, Yasmin Chick, Lucie Fry, Will Taylor, Livie Freeman and Peter Thornton.

The Warriors are now training for the next round of the Junior League, which will be held this month.

They meet at the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre in Dorchester and at Bridport Leisure Centre, and welcome swimmers and athletes of all levels.

If you are interested contact Janet Hewitt on 266175 or visit wdwarriors.org.uk * Junior League round one standings: West Dorset 200, Poole 167, City of Newport 135, Clayesmore 112, Frome 93.