Great Yarmouth Swimming Club took part in the annual Norfolk County Relay gala on Saturday at the UEA Sports Park. .

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Swimming Club members were in action at the weekend.Great Yarmouth Swimming Club members were in action at the weekend. (Image: Archant)

This was definitely a team event, with no individual races. Eight clubs from Norfolk battled it out.

Clubs taking part were: Great Yarmouth, City of Norwich, West Norfolk, North Norfolk Vikings, Norwich Swans, Thetford Dolphins, Diss Otters and Dereham Otters.

Great Yarmouth was up against stiff opposition with swimmers such as Jessica Jane Applegate swimming for City of Norwich. GYSC put in a gutsy performance, however, and held their ground with strong placings in a number of races.

Performing particularly well was the boys’ 9/10 year team (Harvey, Sam, Jack and Billy), who came third in the 200m free relay and had a convincing third in the 200m medley. Also swimming well were the girls 16 and under 200m free relay team (Grace, Anna, Honey and Jenna) who beat higher-ranked teams to grab second place.

There were also excellent individual swims within the relays, with Finley, aged 12, at times swimming against 16-year-olds, and staying with them, . Kelsey Wilson showed grit and determination and Grace and Tommy also showed their class.

Awards were presented to the top three swimmers in each age group from the recent Norfolk County Championships. GYSC were proud to have four boys receive awards.

They were Samuel Coman who was third overall in the 10/11s, Finley Coman, second in the age 12s, Jacob Zandbergen, third in age 14s, and Tommy Chandler, who won the age 15s. Tommy Chandler was also awarded his Norfolk colours for long service to the county team.

The final race of the night was the 10x50m canon, where 10 swimmers from each club (a girl and a boy from each age group) compete in a massive relay. GYSC gave their all and came a creditable fifth.

The overall results saw GYSC joint sixth, only a few points behind Diss Otters and Dereham Otters. City of Norwich won the event, having been pushed hard by West Norfolk.

Well done to all the swimmers and thanks to the coaching staff for their encouragement and the volunteer officials.