WITH major events looming, seven Ulverston swimmers made the trip to Sunderland in their quest for improved times and further experience in the 50m long course pool.

And led by Tom Robinson and Alix Knagg, not only were personal bests achieved but a host of medals also.

Entered in seven events, Robinson threw down the gauntlet by getting an impressive start, powering his way to gold in the 50m butterfly after leading from the start.

He secured another gold medal in the 100m freestyle, setting the pace and dominating the race after exploding off the block.

Robinson then stylishly took gold in the 200m freestyle before showing great technique to storm to victory in both the 100m and 200m butterfly.

Also on the medal trail was Knagg, who went shoulder to shoulder with Newburn’s Faye Hindmarsh with the former producing an inspired finish to secure victory by a fraction of a second.

She won another gold in the 200m backstroke while picking up silver medals in the 50m and 100m backstroke as well as the 50m and 200m butterfly and bronze in the 100m freestyle.

Breaststroker Rhiannon Ellis was also at her best by dominating the 50m race which preceded a commanding performance in the 100m equivalent.

And while the longer 200m breaststroke proved more difficult she held off challenges to snatch silver before earning bronze at 50m butterfly.

Scott Munro-Bennett was embroiled in some exciting 50m sprint events, edged out into second place in both the butterfly – after going head to head with City of Sunderland’s Adam Taylor – and the backstroke.

Despite a fantastic sprint in the 50m freestyle, which again resulted in a blanket finish involving four swimmers, Munro-Bennett had to be content with a bronze medal.

Three others all had satisfactory results from their events with Taylor Aplin taking two bronze medals at 50m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.

Elsewhere, Amy Richardson secured a bronze for her 100m butterfly performance which also brought her a new club record.

12-year-old old Nicola Capstick also produced promising performances at 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle.