The final round of the Mercian Summer League took place on Saturday at Nuneaton. The top six teams over the previous two rounds came together to battle it out in the final gala. Shark’s team was depleted in the older age group, which they knew would cost them dear. Adam Brear got the boys off to a good start with a third place and a personal best in the IM. The first set of relays proved tough for the team with the highlights being fourth places being gained by the girls in the 10 years Freestyle relay comprising of Molly Wright, Ailsa Gavan McHarg, Eleri Williams and Isabella Wright and the 12 year old girls Medley relay consisting of Lucy Castle, Laura Bryan, Lucy Tame and Gwennan Williams.

  Individually Ianto Davies has shown quality swimming in the few galas he has competed in and this was no exception as he broke a club record and set a personal best in the 50m Backstroke. This super swim was followed up by fine second places by Bryan and Sandy Forysiak in the girls and boys 100m Breaststroke respectively, both swimmers setting personal bests in the process. Alex Helliwell set a personal best in the 14 years boys Backstroke and claimed third place. Michael Ankrett sealed third place with a personal best in the open age group 100m Fly, followed this with another third place in the in the 14 year age group. Andrew Morley secured a further third place in the 12 year 100m Backstroke and Sarah Peacop gained a personal best in the 14 year old 100m Fly. Eleri Williams had another good swim in the 50m Breaststroke finishing in second place. Joshua Newman swam a personal best in the 14 year old 100m Breaststroke.

  Three victories were recorded during the night by Grace Wright, Michael Ankrett and Adam Brear swimming in 100m fly and freestyle events respectively, Brear setting another personal best. The final set of relays saw four more third places being secured by the boys 10 years Medley relay team of Davis, Leeson, Martindale and Bowen. The 14 year old boys Medley team of Helliwell, Newman, Ankrett and Morley and the 12 year old girls and boys Freestyle teams of Tame, Bryan, Williams, Castle, Morley, Forysiak, Davis and Dan Siviter.

  The final points saw Solihull win the gala seven points ahead of Leamington with Stratford finishing in sixth place having had a close battle with Halesowen during the gala. The Shark’s team wish the their team mates “good luck” at the National Age Group and Youth Championships being held in Sheffield at the end of July and are looking forward to well earned rest.