The Killerwhales maintained their recent good form at the Southern Counties Championships at Crystal Palace.

Stanford-le-Hope's Lee Wightwick, 14, shattered his personal bests and the opposition to win double gold.

First was Lee's favoured 200m breaststroke, and he was up against the best opposition, in last year's winner from Andrew Blake Jersey and 1998 national winner, Sam Blunt, from Harlow.

The more powerful boys tried to set the pace with a blistering first 50m, but Lee sat right at their shoulders.

By 75m he hit the lead, extending it to win by 5m.

Swelled with confidence, Wightwick faced the more difficult tougher 100m event, but again by 75m he struck the front for his second gold.

The fast returning form of Wade Rimbach, 15, (Brentwood) took him into three freestyle finals.

First came the 100m, as third fastest, a full second down on the leader, but inside his own personal best.

In the final Wade got a better start which allowed him to be within an arm's distance of the leader.

His improved fitness then clicked in to allow him to overhaul the field and claim his first gold medal of the year.

Next came the 50m final and again a best time, but Rimbach had to settle for silver.

The story was the same for the 200m outcome - two silvers and a gold, and just one month away from the National Championships in Coventry is a boost to Wade's confidence.

The 'off form' twins, having missed so much training due to school work, Richard and Andrew Hayes both 16, showed some of their former glories by reaching both the 100m and 200m butterfly, with Richard just missing the bronze at 200m.

Other finalists were Nikki Ladlow, Michelle Kiff and Greg Hunton, (all aged 16).

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