"Best sporting event I've ever seen!" one onlooker commented at the conclusion of what will surely go down as one of the most memorable dual swim meets between North Hempstead Country Club and their cross-town rivals Plandome Country Club on Saturday, July 29.

Under a brilliant blue sky, the visiting Plandome Swim Team - perennial dual meet champions for the last 17 consecutive years - arrived in their usual fashion: there were lots of them. Swimmers of all ages filed through the NHCC entrance, many welcomed by their North Hempstead peers.

Schoolmates were reunited, lacrosse tournaments were temporarily forgotten, neighbors exchanged friendly bets, and in some cases cousins swam against cousins. With both teams undefeated going into this last dual meet of the regular season, excitement ran high. The meet got under way with NHCC taking a slight lead at the conclusion of the backstroke event, only to be turned back by Plandome's strong showing in both breaststroke and butterfly. Among each age group, Plandome's and North Hempstead's talent was remarkably evenly matched. At the conclusion of the individual stroke events, the message from the scorers' table was heard: too close to call - this meet was going down to the relays.

It turned out that the excitement did not end until the second-to-last event of the day, when the Girl's 17 and Under Medley Relay won by a touch-out by North Hempstead. NHCC clinched the meet by the narrowest of margins - their first victory over Plandome in 17 years.

When the final score was announced, declaring North Hempstead victorious, the home crowd celebrated their 17-year redemption in the usual fashion: "Everyone into the Pool!"

"It looked like the final scene from 'Titanic,'" said one observer.

Both teams in fact celebrated the event, with the Plandome team congratulating their opponents with their usual sportsmanlike attitude.

Special congratulations go to the North Hempstead Head Swim Coach Matt McGrane and his staff on their win.

The Long Island Swim League (L.I.S.L) Championships will be held on Saturday, August 5.

As expected, both Plandome and North Hempstead will be well represented. Best of luck to both teams.