Alton Swimming Club have captured the Hants & South Coast League's Junior Cup.

The 51-race final took place at Waterlooville and was contested by Fareham Nomads, Guildford 'B', Hart, Havant & Waterlooville, Epsom, Wandsworth and Alton.

Alton began as they meant to go on, with wins by Nicola Richards and Sam Newland in the 100m breaststroke. Nicola hit top form from the start and set a new club record.

But the opposing clubs were not going to take the early lead lying down. The strong Fareham Nomads team, in particular, fought tenaciously in every race, pushing Alton hard to the very end.

Alton's individual winners were Emily Cooper (25m butterfly), Peter Massey (50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke), Sam Newland (individual medley), Charlotte Fletcher (100m freestyle, 100m backstroke), Alex Lampton (50m butterfly).

The club also won the girls' U/14 freestyle relay, with the team of Camilla Flint, Laura Kiddle, Nicola Gordon-Jones and Charlotte Fletcher.

Alton went on to win the girls' U/14 medley relay (Charlotte Fletcher, Nicola Gordon-Jones, Sophie Keogh, Emily Robbins), the boys' U/13 freestyle relay (Alex Lampton, Alex Hayward, Michael Auger, Peter Massey) and the boys' U/12 medley relay (Ben Eagland, Joe Smith, Peter Massey, Alex Cooper).

There were also many close seconds and thirds, with Alton grasping every point going. There were personal bests from Sophie Keough, Emily Cooper, Sophie Douglas, Andrew Robins, Emily Robbins, Alex Lampton, Laura Kiddle, Michael Auger, Anne Fletcher and Peter Massey.

There was all to play for in the last three races and Charlotte Fletcher's win in the 100m backstroke set the scene for the final race, the squadron relay.

Emily Cooper and Joe Smith set off for the girls and boys respectively to a roar from the crowd. Nichola Gordon-Jones and Peter Massey followed, and then it was the turn of Emily Robbins and Michael Auger. The final leg was swum by Charlotte Fletcher and Sam Newland.

After a tense few moments while the judges checked the points, a jubilant Alton were presented with the cup.