THERE was mixed fortunes for the four Ulverston Otters who made the trip to Liverpool Aquatics Centre for this year's A.S.A’s North West Regional Winter Championships.

Nicola Capstick came away with a well-earned silver medal in the 50m backstroke before missing out on a bronze in the 100m event.

Amy Richardson qualified for four finals but missed out on the medals, while Tom Robinson qualified for three with a fifth place finish his best and Niall Cush finished with two personal bests in the 50 and 100 breaststroke.

Looking for a good result in her heat to qualify for the final of the 50m Backstroke, sprint County Champion Capstick attacked from the start and over the first length was shoulder to shoulder with Athena Clayson (City of Liverpool).

Out of their turn and transition Clayson got a slight window of advantage for the win leaving Capstick second fastest qualifier.

The final proved just as exciting as the heats with Capstick, Clayson and Emma Jones (City of Salford) battling it out for honours.

Again Capstick exploded out of her start and stroke for stroke piled on the pressure.

In a storming blanket finish she was just touched out of the win but came away with a well earned Silver medal.

The 100 Backstroke saw her again qualify for the final and another marvellous swim saw her just miss out on a Bronze with fourth place.

Richardson's finest result came from her effort at 100 Butterfly.

She got a great start off the block and quickly found her rhythm. Despite the relentless pace she stayed composed and produced an outstanding swim to take 4th place on a close finish.

She then produced another outstanding effort in the 100 Freestyle finishing in 5th place with a time just outside that one minute barrier.

The sprints saw her reach the finals of both 50 Butterfly and 50 Backstroke, but she finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Butterfly specialist Robinson was successful in the heats with some outstanding performances that put him in the 50, 100 and 200 finals.

His best result came from the 100m final, where off the block he put himself in a position to challenge for honours.

With a lot of pressure on him he kept himself in the mix with some robust challenges and in a powerful burst for the finish he found himself just outside the medal positions in a highly credible fifth place.

The finals of the 50 and 200 brought him well earned eighth placed where he showed great skill and technique in high class fields.