ON Sunday March 29, five members of the Bude Sharks Masters team were to take part in the annual Royal Navy gala at Millfield in Somerset, writes Paul Cottle.

The five, bleary eyed through the reduced amount of sleep due to the clock change, left the Splash car park with great enthusiasm at 6am to travel for a 9am start.

Becky Hill was so keen she applied her nail polish the night before, only to find her nails stuck to her forehead in the morning which obviously affected her ability to park her car when she took up 'four spaces in a completely empty car park.'

This hilarious start provided the team with enough banter and laughs to begin their journey, even for Jayney Henwood, who was still trying to convince herself, and all around, that she wasn't really the competitive type, and what with her bad back etc.

The competition was as usual very well attended and well run by the Royal Navy, and the pool itself was in excellent condition for swimming, which soon began to yield numerous PB times for all swimmers.

The Legend himself (and current record holder) Timmy Moyle came away with one silver and two bronze medals, with Paul Cottle winning a silver, and Bex Hill a bronze. Julie Whitmarsh was the outstanding swimmer of the day in her first competitive gala, smashing PBs in every event entered. Well done to all.

Results (medal positions in brackets):

Timmy Moyle: 50 metres freestyle 31.19; 100 free 1.09.41 PB; 200 free 2.43.40 PB (2nd); 400 free 5.56.94 PB (3rd); 50 back 39.97; 100 IM 1.27.98 (3rd).

Paul Cottle: 50 free 34.16 PB: 100 free 1.21.82 PB; 200 free 3.15.39 PB; 50 back 42.91; 50 breast 39.68 PB; 100 breast 1.31.09 PB (2nd).

Jayney Henwood: 50 free 41.58; 100 free 1.30.09; 50 breast 58.03; 100 breast 2.10.43; 50 fly 47.13; 100 fly 1.52.71.

Julie Whitmarsh: 50 free 36.23 PB; 100 free 1.22.15 PB; 50 back 44.57 PB; 50 breast 46.23 PB; 100 breast 1.38.80 PB; 100 IM 1.33.12 PB.

Becky Hill: 50 free 37.03 PB; 100 free 1.24.07 PB; 200 free 2.54.50; 400 free 6.01.46 PB; 50 back 43.95 PB; 100 back 1.36.42 PB (3rd); 100 IM 1.40.43 PB. Paul Cottle.