Richardson leads the way in Ulverston swimming gala (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Richardson leads the way in Ulverston swimming gala

2:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport By Scott Kirk, Reporter

ULVERSTON swimmers were once again in action in their second Club Gala of the year with a mix of sprints, distance and middle distance events.

Opening with the 200m backstroke, the Sharp sisters were dominant. India lifted the U9 title while Anya swept to a resounding victory with a PB and her first time under three minutes.

Eden Joy-Light was another winner with a comfortable victory in the 11-12 years age group. She went on to take the 50m breaststroke title with another impressive swim.

Alix Knagg and Amy Richardson came head to head in the backstroke, and with neither girl prepared to give an inch, they gave a magnificent display over eight lengths. Shoulder to shoulder they battled it out right down to the wire but with less then a second left, Richardson emerged victorious with a PB.

These two met again in the 100m butterfly with Zarina Wilson and Jennifer Bond getting in the mix. The race got underway with Richardson putting herself at the front and she dominated throughout. Driving her way to the finish, she hit the wall in 1:09.60, breaking another PB as well as a 14-year-old club record. Wilson took silver, also with a P.B, and Knagg settled for bronze.

Knagg turned her fortunes around with a fine win at 50m breaststroke and India Sharpe completed her double in the same event.

Taylor Aplin was another impressive double winner, taking the 50m breaststroke and 100m butterfly titles.

Chloe Jackson, 13, also showed great skill and technique to cruise to victory in the 100m butterfly, while the boys added to the occasion with some performances which they can be extremely proud.

Jacob Dibble (200m backstroke/50m breaststroke), Ryan Metcalfe (200m backstroke/100m butterfly) and Tom Robinson (50m breaststroke/100m butterfly) all collected double victories in some style.

Francis Smith-Ward had to work hard to achieve his sole win, holding off challenges to win his 50m breaststroke event.