TORNADOES of South Dorset got their Southern Junior League campaign underway with an outstanding first-round result at Weymouth.

The Southern Junior League comprises 32 clubs competing over three rounds.

A team of 29 swimmers made the short trip and after 49 fiercely contested events, Tornadoes secured a third-place finish overall.

Southern Junior League coach Alison Holmes said: “The high calibre of the swims, both as individuals and in their relay teams, was brilliant. They have trained well and worked hard as a team and coming away with third overall demonstrates that, and their commitment.”

Head coach Phil Daniels added: “During the course of the gala 48 personal best times were achieved from across the age groups, demonstrating the calibre and quality of the overall training at Tornadoes.

“We are now looking forward to the second round on May 21.”

Out of the 49 events, the Tornadoes finished with 31 top-three placings.

The nine-year-old girls and boys’ relay teams – Chloe Perkins, Imogen Day, Freya Stanger, Abigail Hamilton, Khai Locke, Fynn Da Silva, Michael Dunning and Joshua Rowe – all performed brilliantly, achieving third, fourth and fifth in their medley and freestyle races.

Their individual swims were also impressive with Rowe gaining first and third place in the 25m butterfly and 25m breaststroke, Stanger coming second and third in her 25m freestyle and breaststroke, and Locke achieving third in his 25m freestyle and backstroke.

The 10-year-old girls’ relay team of Daisy Southgate, Emma Bishop, Perkins and Kirsty Holmes were fourth and fifth in their freestyle and medley events, with the latter also taking second for her individual 50m backstroke and third in the 50m butterfly.

For the boys, Jamie Richards, Joshua Frampton, Samuel Allen and Rowe came third in the freestyle relay with Richards claiming second for his individual 50m backstroke.

Hannah Marklew, Saffron Taylor-Sprakes, debutant Katie Lydford and Francesca Arrowsmith secured third in both relay events for the 11-year-old girls.

The latter was second in her 50m backstroke and third in the 50m freestyle while Marklew finished third in the 50m butterfly.

The boys’ contingent of Frampton, debutant Rudy Sawtell, Thomas Davidge and Charlie Samouelle were not to be outdone by coming second in their freestyle and medley relays.

Samouelle also secured first in the 50m butterfly and second in the 50m backstroke.

The last age group to go were the 12-year-olds.

Girls’ captain Jessica Lelliott, Lucy Goode, Leanne Holmes and Samantha Dunning showed their experience, coming third in both relays.

Goode bagged first in her individual 50m backstroke and third in the 50m butterfly with Lelliott taking third in the 50m freestyle and fourth in the 50m breaststroke.

The boys’ team of Thomas Davidge, debutant William Sawtell, Samouelle and skipper James Mules placed third in both the medley and freestyle.

Mules scooped second in his 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly with William Sawtell fourth in his 50m breaststroke and third in the 50m backstroke.

The final event was the Cannon, which featured one boy and one girl from each age group.

The Tornadoes’ line-up of Stanger, Rowe, Holmes, Frampton, Arrowsmith, Samouelle, Goode and Mules swam to second place.

Anyone interested in joining the Tornadoes can contact secretary Sharon Howe on 814105.

RESULT 1 Swim Bournemouth A 263pts, 2 Christchurch New Milton 229pts, 3 Tornadoes of South Dorset 184pts, 4 Yeovil B 135pts, 5 Weymouth 117pts, 6 North Dorset Turbos 67pts.

*T-shirts worn by all swimmers, displaying the Portland Harbour Authority logo, were sponsored by Portland Port Group.