The final round of the 2013 East Devon mini league against, Newton Abbot, Torquay Leander, Dawlish, Exeter and Exmouth took place at Exmouth on Saturday and Sid Vale Sharks put up their best team performance of the season, writes John Beglin.

Under the guidance of new head coach Rebecca Carter, the event which consisted of both individual and relay races from age nine and under to 15 and under, produced some great results for the club. Swimmers produced a total of 19 personal best times in individual events and great team efforts in the relays. The support for the swimmers from poolside by both swimmers and parents helped the team perform up to their best.

Pick of the performances on the night were first places achieved by Issy Beech, Eve Badcock, Hannah Rudgard and Flossie Plowden in the 11 and under 50m Medley Relay. The same team got together to also finish second in the 11 and under 50m freestyle relay.

Aimee Keast, Flora Hastie, Connie Harris and Amy Cozens won the 13 and under 50m freestyle relay. Dougal Hastie, Adam Dunford, Henry Rousseau and Ollie Beech finished second in the nine and under 50m freestyle relay. Hannah Jones, Frankie King-Keast, Vicky Wyant and Rachel Cavin finished third in both the 15 and under 50m Medley Relay and 50m freestyle relay, picking up valuable points for the team.

Pick of the performances from the swimmers in the individual events were first places for Hannah Rudgard in the 11 and under 100m Individual Medley, 50m Backstroke and 50m butterfly, Issy Beech in the 11 and under 50m freestyle and Hannah Beglin in the 13 and under 50m breaststroke. Amy Cozens finished first in the 13 and under 50m freestyle and also finished third in the 13 and under 100m Individual Medley.

Other individuals to gain top three finishes were, Dougal Hastie second in the nine and under 25m butterfly and 50m breaststroke, Ollie Beech second in the nine and under 50m freestyle, Eve Badcock second in the 11 and under 50m breaststroke and Aimee Keast second in the 13 and under 50m backstroke.

Will Bugler third in the 13 and under 50m backstroke, Vicky Wyant third in the 15 and under 100m Individual Medley and 50m butterfly, Michael Overton third in the 15 and under 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle, Hannah Jones third in the 15 and under 100m backstroke, Tristan Innes-Kruger third in the 15 and under 100m breaststroke and Rachel Cavin third in the 15 and under 100m freestyle all picked up valuable points.

One other performance of note was the fine debut swim by 9-year-old Grace Bartlett who overcame her nerves to put in a fantastic swim in the 50m free to earn much needed team points.

A third place in the final event of the night for the eight-by-25m cannon relay team Jamie Wyant, Hannah Rudgard, Amy Cozens, Darcy Hastie, Rachel Cavin, Dougal Hastie and Michael Overton secured fourth place overall on the night for the team behind winners Torquay Leander.

Thanks to the efforts of all the swimmers, the Sharks also secured fourth place overall for the year and if we can continue to improve as we have done we can aspire to finish in the top three clubs in 2014, which for a club of our size would be a great achievement.

We are always looking to strengthen the club and have a number of places available for swimmers to join the club. We are particularly short of girls aged nine and under. If you can swim four lengths unaided or are working towards achieving ASA stage seven in swimming and would like a trial please email admin@sidvale.co.uk or come to the pool on Friday evenings just before 7pm.