WEST Dorset Warriors took big strides forward at the fiercely contested Bournemouth Level Two Open Meet by winning 10 medals, gaining two Western Counties qualifying times and a total of 48 top-10 finishes.

As usual the popular competition attracted swimmers from all over the country with clubs coming from as far away as Lincoln, Millfield, Northampton, Ferndown, Woking and London, so the standard of competition was very high.

Thirteen-year-old Peter Thornton continued his swimming comeback by storming into the lead in the 100m backstroke in a race where he finished more than two seconds ahead of his rivals.

The gold for the 100m was in addition to the silver captured in the 200m backstroke event where Thornton also gained a personal best. The icing on the cake was a five second pb in the 100m breaststroke to finish in fourth place.

Ten-year-old Harrison Yarnold also had an excellent competition, his most outstanding event being the 200m freestyle where he captured silver. Yarnold slashed 10 seconds off his entry time leaving his rivals standing and earning himself another Western qualifying time. He also picked up bronze in the 100m butterfly.

Colin Cracknell, West Dorset’s main squad coach, said: “Harrison’s 200m free was superb, he paced it well and just focused on his own race. It was a pleasure to watch.”

Meanwhile, Tom Cooper, 14, also put in some excellent performances, achieving seven personal best times, seven top-10 places and a bronze medal for his 50m breastroke.

Team-mate Jordan Trewartha, 16, captured silver in the 100m backstroke and also finished sixth in a great 100m freestyle. Meanwhile, West Dorset’s 200m freestyle maestro James Dawson won bronze.

For the girls, 10-year-old Zoe Gowers was delighted with her bronze for the 200m butterfly. She also secured a Western qualifying time in the 200m backstroke by slashing six seconds off her entry time.

Twelve-year-old Victoria Halford secured bronze in both the 50m butterfly and the 100m individual medley while Liv Thornton, 15, captured silver in a well swum 50m butterfly. Meanwhile, Charlotte Matthews, aged 10, earned praise for achieving a personal best time in every single one of her seven events.

Cracknell added: “Coming to the Bournemouth Open was not just about the medals. For many of the children it was an achievement to be here as the entry times were very tough for a Level Two meet.

“Jess Northcote and Charlotte Fairman qualified in very few last year but this time they have done lots of swims. Gemma Wellman is really competing at a higher level too. James Ross and Tom Matthews have also shown great improvement and it shows the journey they have all been on. West Dorset is developing a depth of squad that we have been aiming for and it is very pleasing.”

Swimmers who also achieved good personal bests at the competition were Beth Guy, Matt Cracknell, Hattie Hitchcock, Aoife McCarthy, Joe Foard, and Will Taylor.

The Warriors train at both the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre in Dorchester and at Bridport Leisure Centre, and welcome swimmers of all levels. If you are interested contact Janet Hewitt on 266175 orvisit wdwarriors.org.uk