Canvey Island Swimming Club amassed 73 medals, including 14 gold, 14 silver and nine bronze, at the Harlow Open.

They eventually finished second behind a strong Romford squad, but ahead of hosts Harlow and Borough of Southend.

Paul Barauskas claimed six golds (100, 200, 400 free, 100 back and fly, 200 IM) and a silver, with 11-year-old Chris Chenery winning three apiece of gold and silver. Paul Williams, 15, won his first gold in open competition with victory in the 50m backstroke.

Other medalists included Ben Preston (three silver), Adam Puddick (silver), Iain Seedhouse (bronze), Phil Whitehead (silver), Neil Thompson, Nick Bright and Ben Massey.

For the girls, Anna Chenery and Tash Chignell both claimed double gold successes - Tash in 50m breaststroke and 400 free and Anna in 50 and 100 back. Both also won a silver and bronze each.

Other medalists included Aimee Drake, (silver 200m free) and Clare Thomas, competing in an age group above normal, who took silver in 50m and 100m fly.

The newly-promoted Canvey club also made a bright start in their first match in the Essex League - despite facing last year's champs and runners up, Romford and Harlow, in the Warrior Square gala. After lying sixth after 15 events, they fought back to win with 16 first place swims.

Aimee Drake led the way by winning the U15 100m backstroke in a club record time.

Winners: Anna Chenery (open 100 back), Alyson Moran (U13 100 breaststroke), Hann Drake (U11 1 length fly), Tash Chignell (open 100m breaststroke), Clare Thomas (U13 100m fly and free), Chris Chenery (U13 free and fly), and Paul Barauskas (U15 100m back and fly), open girls (Anna Chenery, Aimee Drake, Tash Chignell and Marie McDermott), U13 girls (Hayley Whitehead, Alyson Moran, Anna Shirley, Clare Thomas), U15 boys medley (Ben Preston, Steve Sullivan, Adam Guiton, Phillip Lingfield) Second/thirds: Stacey O'Rawe, Marie McDermott, Paul Williams, Steve Sullivan, Adam Lamb, Paul Whitehead, Stacey O'Rawe, Neil Thompson, Ben Preston, Anna Chenery, Sophie Kneeshaw, Hannah Drake.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.