For once age and cunning could not triumph against youth and speed.

In a thrilling race, Abergavenny Swimming Club’s Juniors just managed to beat their Adult team into second place in the Rotary Swimathon on Sunday at Abergavenny Leisure Centre.

The contest between the Swimming Club’s two teams was played out with two other club junior teams all competing in the four Swimathon lanes. The Juniors swam 193 lengths to the Adult’s 188, although in the final stages of the hour-long swim the adults were gradually pulling the Juniors lead back.

School winner was Llanfoist Fawr Primary School.

“This is the first time the Swimming Club has taken part in the Swimathon, but certainly not the last,” said Stuart Sherrard, one of the club organisers.

“It’s great that Abergavenny Rotary organises the event, which allows organisations like ours to gain sponsorship and raise our own funds.

“We had four teams right across the age spectrum and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the swim. It wasn’t really a competitive event, but of course when you have swimmers who want to do the best they can, it inevitably becomes a race.”

Abergavenny Rotary always fields a team, among the schools, youth organisations and clubs which take part in the popular event, and reported that what the team lacked in speed it more than made up for with grace and style.