TORNADOES of South Dorset started the summer season with a visit to Hutton Moor Leisure centre for the Severnside Tritons Summer Open Meet.

Five girls and one boy attended gaining two gold, five silvers and five bronze medals.

Bethany Firth two silvers in the 200m, 50m and bronze in the 100m backstroke.

Ellissia Walburn claimed a gold in the 200m medley and silver in the 100m butterfly.

The only boy, Harry Falconer, took gold in the 100m butterfly, two silvers in 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke, four bronzes in 50m, 200 freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley.

The Junior League team, sponsored by Bella Kitchens, in round one at Weymouth faced very strong teams from Swim Bournemouth A and B and Seagulls from Christchurch.

Tornadoes were fourth behind the three teams from East Dorset followed by Weymouth and North Dorset Turbos.

The team gained six second and nine third places and 49 personal best times.

The second round of the league took place at the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre, Dorchester with West Dorset, Chard and North Dorset Turbos.

The gala was won by West Dorset followed by Chard, Tornadoes and North Dorset Turbos.

In this gala, they gained 12 first, 14 second and 12 third places, this was an excellent performance with 40 personal best times.

At the end of July, Tornadoes travelled to Swindon Dolphins' end-of-season Open Meet with seven girls and four boys.

Boys' captain Josh Rowe came away with two gold, a silver and three bronze medals.

Younger brother Charlie achieved four gold and two bronze medals, while Harry Falconer won a gold, three silvers and two bronze medals.

In the girls, Bethany Firth bagged one gold and twi bronzes and Ellissia Walburn a silver medal.

The small squad present accrued a total of 44 personal best times.

Directly after the summer break, the Junior League restarted again at Dorchester with Chard, Devonport Royals, West Dorset and Tornadoes competing.

In a fiercely fought gala, West Dorset took the honours followed closely by Devonport Royals Tornadoes and Chard. Tornadoes had 10 first, 14 seconds and 12 third places, 29 personal best times.

The team performed well throughout the competition.

The nine-year boys' relay teams were hindered by sickness and overage swimmers took their place therefore gaining no points.

Ten-year-old Harry Falconer represented Tornadoes in the 10/12 age group in Triathlon de Lausanne, Switzerland and came fifth overall with a first place in the swim and fourth in the bike section.

If anybody is interested in joining Tornadoes, contact the secretary Sharon Howe on 01305 814105.