CHEADLE Amateur Swimming Club were denied victory in the Peter Haynes Trophy after being disqualified in the final event.

Chase Swimming Club and Cheadle were locked together on 113 points in the Uttoxeter Leisure Centre-hosted gala for youngsters aged between nine and 12.

It all came down to the cannon relay, but Cheadle had to settle for second place overall after being disqualified for an "unofficial takeover".

Cheadle head coach Andrew Stone said: "It was a very close gala and, despite a few absences through illness, injury and holidays, there were some great personal best times and spirited performances." In the final standings, Chase SC finished on 116 points, with Cheadle just three adrift.

Host club Dove Valley were third on 62 points.

Sasha Hawksworth was in top form in the girls aged nine category.

The youngster touched first in both the 25m freestyle, in a personal best (PB) of 18.88 seconds and butterfly (20.34PB) and also helped the freestyle and medley relay teams produce podium-topping displays in times of 1.27.55 and 1.36.33 respectively.

In the same age category, Beth Thomas claimed a PB in the 25m breaststroke (25.63) and Becky Sammons also posted a quickest time in the 25m backstroke (25.33).

Sam Eyre was also in outstanding form in the boys aged nine section.

Eyre won the 25m butterfly (19.79PB) and 25m backstroke (21.98PB) and claimed a hat-trick of wins as a member of the medley relay team (1.37.97).

Winning performances followed for Jordan Nixon in the 25m freestyle (20.27PB) and Jenson Hulbert in the 25m breaststroke (27.72PB).

In the girls aged 10 category, Beth Nicholls took first in the 25m butterfly (20.14PB) and 50m backstroke (46.21).

She was also a member of the successful medley relay team (1.28.72).

Becky Fallows followed suit in the 50m breaststroke (53.07PB), while in the boys aged 10 section Tom Brown took first place in the 50m freestyle (38.83).

In the aged 11 category, Zara Bailey led the field home in the 50m backstroke (40.47PB).

Lauren Milward won both the 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke with personal best times of 36.29 and 37.12 respectively.

She also helped her club to victory in the girls aged 12 medley relay (1.16.52).

In the boys aged 12 category, Fletcher Rushton secured first place in the 50m butterfly (41.34), James Jackson took top spot in the 50m backstroke (37.95PB), as well as a silver in the 50m breaststroke (43.98PB), while Thomas Pritchard was first home in the 50m freestyle (35.81).

A host of swimmers also claimed personal best times.

Jake Hopkins improved his 25m butterfly best to 22.75 to claim second.

Huw Morgan matched that in the 50m breaststroke (57.93PB).

Cheadle ASC remain on the look-out for swimmers aged seven to nine to join the club. Those interested in a trial should contact Sylvia Long on 07973 347360.