LANCASHIRE TAKE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE TITLE
Lancashire pulled it out of the bag yet again to take a fifth
consecutive title at the National County Team Championships
at Ponds Forge today.
Sponsored by Topline and Wm Taylor Pools Ltd, the Championships
lived up to all expectations. With county pride at stake,
the 38 teams and more than 1,000 competitors were out to make
a winning start.
The quality of the field was evident from the outset with
the second heat of the girls' 16/17 years 100m Freestyle in
Division One containing no fewer than six international representatives
with a combined total of eight junior medals on the World
and European Junior stage.
Representing Hertfordshire in Division One, Rachael George
took the first honours of the day when she stormed to victory
in the girls' 16/17 years 100m Freestyle. Her winning time
of 56.87secs was enough to see her take maximum points for
her county.
Welsh Commonwealth Games representative Jemma Lowe also had
a good swim, finishing in second place with a time of 58.04
while representing Northumberland and District.
Georgia Davies (South Wales), who was a member of the World
Junior Championship squad took victory in the girls 16/17
years 100m Backstroke broke the Welsh senior record with a
time of 1.01.10, nearly three seconds clear of her nearest
rival.
With Lancashire vying for their fifth consecutive title,
a winning start was vital. Their first victory came when Robert
Bale held off strong competition from the rest of the counties
to take the boy's 16/17 years 100m Freestyle with a time of
50.95secs while also setting a new life-time best.
With four places in the top division up for grabs, the 18
counties in Division Two were out to put their stamp on the
Championships from the start.
Wiltshire got off to a strong start with Andrea Alleyne,
Elizabeth Beckett, Cathnal Westman, Tilly Gray and Dean Williamson
all recording top five finishes to get them on their way.
However, with all teams hoping to take up those four places
in Division One at the expense of the bottom four being relegated,
it didn't take long before other teams were at Wiltshire's
heels pushing for top spot.
At the halfway point in Division Two, Dorset, Nottinghamshire,
Wiltshire and Scotland West were on course to take advantage
of the places on offer in Division One ready for next year's
competition. However, with only 12 points separating the top
6 teams nothing could be taken for granted.
Back in Division One, Lancashire were on top of the table
with 265 points, with second placed team Northumberland 35
adrift with 230.
As the day continued, it became clear that Lancashire were
on course for a historic victory. A number of impressive wins
saw the Champions stretch their lead.
First class performances from the likes of team captains
Robert Bale and Stephanie Slater, meant that Lancashire sustained
their lead and eventually went on to take the title with 525
points and a cheque for £2,000, 59 points clear of runners
up Northumberland and District.
Bale and Slater were keen to express their pride at leading
the team to yet another title win.
"We're really proud to lead the team and win. It is
the first time that we have been captains of the county squad
so it makes it even better. Everyone worked hard so we are
very proud of them all."
Lancashire team coach Tim Holland was delighted with the
squads' performance.
"The team has made me very proud. They put in so many
fantastic performances and this was a superb team effort"
"Many of our swimmers were at the lower end of their
age-group, so they will competing in the same category next
year which only proves the strength and depth of the squad."
Holland said.
Scotland West team were crowned as Division Two Champions,
but also won promotion to Division One along with Nottinghamshire,
Dorset County and Derbyshire.
Their promotion was at the expense of Division One teams.
Lincoln, Devon, Staffordshire and Warwickshire who will all
be competing in Division Two next year after they finished
bottom of the table.
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