Brilliant Butt bags national silver

MATTHEW BUTT has taken silver in the 100m butterfly in the ASA National Bagcats Championships in Sheffield. Competing in the 12-year age group at the Pond's Forge Olympic size pool, the Sarnian posted a time of 1min. 7.74sec. as he finished third in the final.

However, with the winner being South African guest Heinrich Alberts, Butt's result was enough to give him silver. He was just seven-tenths behind gold medallist Owen Thomas of Cardiff.

The result helped the Guernsey Swimming Club member finish in 10th place in the overall Bagcats standings.

He also reached the 200m butterfly final, coming eighth, and was 15th out of 97 in the 400m individual medley.

'It's absolutely fantastic,' said the GSC's head coach Jo Winberg.

'I knew he would do well but I didn't expect him to do that well. To be placed 10th overall in the UK is absolutely fantastic.

'His improvement since the start of the season has been phenomenal.'

Earlier in the year, Butt performed at the Hampshire Championships where he came home with an eighth overall finish.

To go and get a 10th spot in the whole of the UK now reflects his improvement.

His latest achievement ensures that he is now involved with the national set up as part of the world-class age group programme.

He is expected to attend six swimming clinics a year and will be in contention for the national squad.

The Bagcats system is designed to ensure that swimmers under the age of 14 take part in a variety of disciplines to counteract them specialising in one stroke at too early an age.

The Beau Sejour Barracudas also had success at the event.

Twelve-year-old Joshua Lewis on his debut posted a personal best time of 4-49.34 in the 400m freestyle. He finished in a commendable 25th overall.

Guernsey's Alexander Beaton, who was representing Millfield School, qualified in six events and his best performance was in the 100m butterfly in which he reached the final with a personal best of 1-01.75. The 14-year-old finished in seventh place overall.