WEST Dorset Warriors were crowned the new champions of the Dorset Novice League following a convincing victory in the final at Littledown.

Thirteen wins and 16 second places in the 44-event programme contributed to a 44-point victory margin from runners-up Wareham Water-Rats.

Helpfully, West Dorset also incurred only two “speeding tickets” under the penalty system designed to ensure that teams use only swimmers whose ability is appropriate to the novice league.

Anyone swimming faster than the cut-off time for their event is rewarded with a certificate for their individual performance but scores no points for their team.

Wareham recorded three speeding tickets in the first four races and were playing catch-up from then on.

Christchurch Seagulls, the league’s inaugural champions in 2010, were the champion speeders this time, with nine tickets plus three disqualifications.

Swim Bournemouth had six speeding tickets and three disqualifications, while Clayesmore’s three tickets and seven DQs meant they failed to score in 10 races.

Twenty-six wins and eight second places turned Poole into runaway winners in the B final at Sherborne, where their victory margin was 54 points.

Results – Final (at Littledown): 1 West Dorset 195, 2 Wareham 149, 3 Tornadoes of South Dorset 148, 4 Seagulls 140, 5 Swim Bournemouth 121, 6 Clayesmore 108.

B final (at Sherborne): 1 Poole 215, 2 North Dorset Turboes 161, 3 Bridport Barracudas 139, 4 Bournemouth SC 136, 5 Blandford 117, 6 Bere Regis 104.