IAN Brown was expecting good things from his Chelsea & Westminster Aquatics squad - but even the coach was stunned his club broke into London's top three as quickly as they did last Saturday.
Such were the times recorded and medals bagged at the Middlesex Championships - C&W are now officially on level par with the capital's pool giants.
Ealing, Camden Swiss and Barnet Copthall have a new kid on the blocks to contend with as Brown and co, forged from two previous west London clubs in August, needed a sack to haul off their treasure trove during the last three county championship weekends at Enfield. C&W were targeting 40 medals - they won 57.
They also saw five of their swimmers achieve top three places in the prestigious BAGCAT awards that rank the nation's swimmers in league table format.
Three of the squad achieved times allowing them a place in the national championships later in the year, and there were a staggering 31 new club records across all age ranges.
Brown said: "We've established ourselves as real contenders in London a year ahead of schedule.
"The clubs are ranked according to championship success - and C&W make it into the top four by some points alongside the established clubs."
Not everyone diving in the C&W lane won a medal - but such is the strength in depth of the new super-club, 90 per cent wearing the new colours achieved lifetime bests.
