BECCLES Kingfishers completed both the second and final rounds of the Winter League Gala last month.After winning the second round at Leiston at the end of January with 202 points overall, Beccles were in good spirits at Sudbury for the third round, towards the end of February.

BECCLES Kingfishers completed both the second and final rounds of the Winter League Gala last month.

After winning the second round at Leiston at the end of January with 202 points overall, Beccles were in good spirits at Sudbury for the third round, towards the end of February.

The standard of competition was high throughout the three rounds, but Beccles were still able to hold their own against very strong teams.

Head coach Tim Millett was especially pleased to see that the team managed not to get any disqualifications throughout the three galas, a rare feat for most teams.

The club is hoping to build on this success throughout the rest of the year and is hoping to be in the promotion push again next year.

Overall, all swimmers swam well, with Beccles finishing on the night with a total of 165 points, in fourth place. This put them into fourth place to finish this year's Winter League competition.

The latest night began with the return of ex-captain Ellie Clarke, who managed to achieve a fifth place in the 100 metre ladies' open ind/medley and also a fourth place in the 50 metre ladies' open breaststroke.

Also competing in the ladies' open category was Rachel Doran, who gained two personal bests during the evening, and Ellen Nelson, who was competing above her age group.

She came in fourth place during the 50 metre freestyle race and in her own age group achieved a second place in the 14/15 50 metre freestyle race and fifth in the 14/15 50 metre backstroke.

Competing for the girls' 14/15 age group was Amber Bircham, who achieved a personal best and a fourth place in the 50 metre butterfly and a third place in the 50 metre breaststroke.

In the men's open category Dougie Olley achieved a new personal best, along with a fifth place, in the 50 metre butterfly.

Robert Beaumont gained two personal bests, along with a third and fifth place in the 50 metre breaststroke and the 50 metre freestyle.

Jonny Harrison came in fifth place twice during the ind/medley race and in the 50 metre backstroke.

In the boys' 14/15 age group Richard Clarke achieved a fourth and fifth place in the 50 metre freestyle and Steven Kirby gained two personal bests, a second place in the 50 metre backstroke and a fourth place in the 50 metre butterfly.

In the 12/13 girls' age group Laura Catchpole achieved a third place in the 50 metre breaststroke, Philippa Doran gained a third and fourth place in the 50 metre butterfly and freestyle and Louise Shepherdson came in second in the 50 metre backstroke.

In the boys' 12/13 age group Thomas Taylor came away with two personal bests, a second place in the 50 metre butterfly and a fourth place in the 50 metre breaststroke.

William Pye achieved two third places in his two races, which were the 50 metre butterfly and 50 metre backstroke.

In the youngest age group, the under-11s, Beccles had swimming for the girls, Nina Bircham, who came in first place in the 50 metres backstroke - the only first place for the team - and second place in the 50 metre freestyle.

And Jenny Beevor achieved a personal best and a second place during her 50 metre breaststroke race and a second place in the 50 metre butterfly race.

Swimming for the boys in this age group was Charlie Lees, who gained a personal best and fourth place in his 50 metre backstroke race and another personal best and a second place in the 50 metre freestyle.

Robert Thurtell also achieved a personal best and a third place during his 50 metres breaststroke race and another third place in his 50 metre butterfly.