WEST Dorset Warriors finished third in the Hinton Oak Gala hosted by Seagulls of Christ-church.

They were joined by Ferndown, Salisbury, and Wareham and fought out a close contest with only 17 points separating them.

All clubs took the opportunity to prepare their teams for the upcoming Speedo League.

For the Warriors it was the older swimmers who impressed most.

The senior swimmers from the Dorchester-based outfit showed their younger team-mates the way forward with exceptional attitudes and performances all-round.

Head coach Janet Hewitt said: "The older boys and girls were all magnificent. Kim Roberts in particular was outstanding.

"Not only did she take on and win lots of extra races by swimming up an age group, she set a great example on poolside by looking after the younger members of the team and was a real credit to her club."

Fourteen-year-old Roberts was in awesome form throughout the competition, kicking off with a resounding win in the Girls' Open Individual Medley where she led the whole way.

She followed this with top position in both the Open and the 15/u 100m butterfly where she crushed the opposition.

It was the same story in the Open and 15/u 100m freestyle.

Warriors' team captain Susan Warden also put in some great performances, notably in the Girls' Open 100m backstroke where she recorded a good personal best and finished in third place.

James Dawson, 16, was also singled out for praise by Hewitt.

Dawson thundered up and down the pool and did his team proud, most notably in the relays, showing exceptional attitude throughout.

Simon Middleton, Elliot Knott and Carl Hornyak worked well all evening and together with Matt Hallett pulled off a fabulous win in the Open Medley relay.

Another relay team that impressed was the West Dorset 11/u girls comprising Amie Buttle, Dani Roberts, Emily Hallett, Yasmin Chick and Laura Chitty.

The girls were unbeatable and picked up a fine win in the medley by an impressive 10 metres.

Colin Cracknell, West Dorset's team manager said: "All the 11-year-old girls were good but Laura Chitty really stood out as being technically superb. Her win on the 50m backstroke was great and it was a personal best, to boot."

Other individual first places were secured by Matt Hallett, Peter Thornton and Yasmin Chick.

The final points and positions were: Ferndown 218, Salisbury 210, West Dorset 201, Christchurch Seagulls A 170, Wareham 141, Christchurch Seagulls B 104.