THE Dorset Novice League Trophy has left its home county for the first time after debutants Ringwood Seals staged a cross-border raid – and won.

Hampshire’s most westerly club also ended Poole’s four-year reign as champions of a league designed to give inexperienced youngsters a taste of competitive swimming.

Ringwood arrived for the Littledown final as league leaders by the slimmest margin after they and Poole had won their first and second round galas.

They finished the job with a seven-point victory margin over Tornadoes of South Dorset with Poole third in the final but second in the league table.

Seals’ coach Anne Nugent said: “The kids went there to win and they swam their socks off.

“They were so excited. They were standing with their fingers crossed and so quiet when we were waiting for the result to be announced.”

Ringwood were allowed to compete as guests because only 10 Dorset teams had entered, which left two vacant lanes.

Whether Ringwood will be allowed to defend their title next year is unclear.

Dorset ASA secretary Di Gibbs said: “The county executive are insistent that all Dorset clubs should be allowed to compete so if we have 12 Dorset clubs next year, the answer would be no.

“The coaches will be able to air their views in July and if everyone is happy and we don’t have 12 from Dorset, then yes.”

Ringwood’s individual winners included Harry Avoth, who took the 10yrs 50m freestyle in only his second gala.

Halle Harris won three events in two age groups – the girls’ 9yrs 50m freestyle and backstroke and the 11yrs 50m fly.

Double winners were Jamie Workman in the 9yrs 50m backstroke and 10yrs 25m butterfly and Zoe Small in the 12yrs 50m freestyle and backstroke.

Other winners were Alisha Hayfield (14yrs 50m butterfly), Zoe Palmer (14yrs 50m freestyle), Eloise Smith (11yrs 50m freestyle), Jenson Harris (11yrs 50m butterfly) and George Hodgson (10yrs 50m breaststroke).

Poole junior coach Jan Hutchings said: “We were disappointed not to retain our title but second in the final table is very respectable.

“And we did win the award for the most ‘speeding tickets’ – 25 over the three rounds – which I think we should be more proud of.”

So-called speeding tickets are penalties for swimming quicker than the designated cut-off times, imposed to prevent the selection of faster swimmers.

Poole’s individual winners were Holly Chandler in the 10/u 25m butterfly and Charlie Meek in the 12/u 50m backstroke.

Result of final: 1 Seals 184, 2 Tornadoes of S Dorset 177, 3 Poole 156, 4 Seagulls 153, 5 Weymouth 122, 6 Blandford 112.

League placings: 1 Seals 34, 2 Poole 30, 3 Tornadoes 30, 4 Seagulls 25, 5 Weymouth 23, 6 Blandford 20, 7 Wareham 14, 8 North Dorset Turbos 12, 9 West Dorset 11, 10 Bridport Barracudas 9.

  • See today's Daily Echo for a picture of the victorious Ringwood Seals team