Once again. the hopefuls and the why did I let myself in for this' gathered in the Ponds Forge Pool, in Sheffield, for the three-day ASA Masters Swimming Championships.

Among them were seven members of Orpington Ojays SC.

There were great results for them all, and with the team adhering strictly to the special Masters' pre-race regime, Emma Hulls led the way with a magnificent win in the 30-34 years' 50-metre butterly, a silver in the 50m freestyle, as well as bronze medals in the 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle.

Close behind was Alison Nye, with a full set of silver medals in the 45-49 years' 50m breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly.

Mike Wake chipped in with silvers in the 60-64 years' 50m and 100m breaststroke, plus a bronze in the 200m breaststroke.

In a highly competitive field, there were season-best displays from Helen Morris (100m butterfly), James Bowen (50m & 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly), Chris Ballantyne (100 & 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke and 100m individual medley), and Mark Allan (100m freestyle & butterfly).

All rounded off with solid team performances in the 120+ years' mixed medley team, which came fourth; the 160+ years' mixed medley team (fifth); 100+ years' men's medley team (fifth); and the 100+ years' men's freestyle team, also fifth.

Hulls also finished as the fastest off the blocks out of the whole champ-ionships, which featured 1,046 swimmers, with a stunning series of sub-0.7 second reaction times.

l For full details, visit: www.orpingtonojays.com