CITY of St Albans Swimming club (CoStA) contested in the early season Novices meeting at Barnet Copthall on Saturday, and it was a chance for the junior members of the club to shine. Demonstrating the strength of talent coming through the club, 22 member

CITY of St Albans Swimming club (CoStA) contested in the early season Novices meeting at Barnet Copthall on Saturday, and it was a chance for the junior members of the club to shine.

Demonstrating the strength of talent coming through the club, 22 members of the squad competed in the U13 gala, and combined to finish in sixth place out of the 14 clubs participating.

A promising new swimmer for the club is nine-year-old Matthew Holt who picked up gold in the boys 50m breaststroke, and silver in the 50m freestyle, both in personal best times. Samuel Henson (12) picked up two silver medals in the butterfly and the freestyle, and bronze in the backstroke.

Alex Ong (10) finished second in his 50m breaststroke heat, and Sidney Brass and Jorden Irvine both achieved two PB's.

In the girls events it was a feast of personal best times, although narrowly missing out on the medals.

Beatrice Barder (10) achieved a new PB in each of the five events she competed, closely followed by Bethan Holt and Rebecca Mills (11), and Catriona Cadenhead and Emma Lees (10) each putting in four new best times.

"The squad achieved 57 personal best times out of 89 starts, a credit to the early season training they have put in," said coach Sarah Stevens.

Next weekend CoStA's senior squad compete in the National Speedo League London Division One for the first time having been promoted last season.