Witney celebrated their first ever Chiltern League gala with victory in the first round of this year's competition at Bicester on Saturday.

To ensure an even standard, all races were time-graded and it was Witney's consistency in swimming close to their expected achievement levels which proved crucial in the end. No fewer than 28 out of the 34 individual swimmers recorded personal bests.

Christina Green took the swimmer-of-the-match award following victory on the ladies open IM and second place in the freestyle, the runners-up votes being shared by Jamie Lewis and Louisa Cable.

Other Witney winners: Amy Wigley (br/s), Lewis Ashton (br/s), Josh Grant (f/style), Peter Kemp (bk/s), Liam Harris (br/s), Marc Copperwheat (br/s). Boys 10 yrs f/style relay Ashton Toovey, Grant and Bark. Other Witney PBs Anna Brooke-Hollidge (br/s), Katherine Dunlop (fly), Kate Herbert (f/style), Laura Cable (bk/s), Michaela Ashman (bk/s), Hannah Hamilton (br/s), Helen Traks (br/s), Kimberley Hedley (f/style), Stephanie Cridland (fly), Jade Cridland (bk/s), Rebecca Mills (fly), Chloe Musson (f/style), Sian Welford (f/style), Daniel Blackford (fly and f/style), Dan Harris (bk/s), James Bark (bk/s), Alastair Toovey (f/style), Daniel Newton (IM).

Gala result: 1 Witney 177 pts, 2 Linslade Crusaders 171, 3 Rushden 165, 4 Putteridge 161, 5 Tring 143, 6 Bicester 137.