ROYSTON Swimming Club have won promotion into Division Two in the second Hertfordshire Swimming League Gala of 2010. Royston scored seven first, twelve second and twelve third places on the evening - finishing second to a strong team from Welwyn Garden Ci

ROYSTON Swimming Club have won promotion into Division Two in the second Hertfordshire Swimming League Gala of 2010.

Royston scored seven first, twelve second and twelve third places on the evening - finishing second to a strong team from Welwyn Garden City and seeing off a close challenge from the City of St Albans club.

The boys under-12s Freestyle relay team saw the return of William Tyrell from injury to join teammates Scott Batchelor, Romario Thomas and Tom Harrington to post a winning time of 1:20.65 in the 4 x 25M event after putting in a great team effort.

There were winning performances in the individual events from Sam Huttlestone under-14s 50M breaststroke (42.86), Tom Harrington under-12s 25M butterfly (17.92), Joe Walsh under-16s 50M backstroke (35.02), Bryn Davies under-16s 50M breaststroke (39.04), Emma Reeves open girls 100M Backstroke (1:22.8) and Sophie Nottage under-16s 50M freestyle (32.540).

The climax of the evening was the squadron relay which saw Royston take the honours from the strong Welwyn Garden City team.

The atmosphere was electric throughout the race, as the first four lengths from Lucy Huttlestone, Tom Harrington, Sophie Jones and Sam Huttlestone saw Royston holding a close second to Welwyn until Sophie Nottage and Sam Burton took the lead with Emma Reeves and Tom Shield holding off the Welwyn swimmers to the touch finish.

Head Coach Tricia Dear was pleased to again be able to field a strong team for the second gala and secure promotion.

She said: "Yet again the team has risen to the challenge and put in some great performances throughout the gala.