KENDAL swimmers returned to competitive action at the North West Region’s festival of swimming in Manchester Aquatics’ 50m Long Course pool.

Ten of the club’s swimmers attended the first weekend sessions.

James Escolme's performances for Kendal in his six events were praised.

He took on the 100 freestyle and off the blocks and through transition he quickly got into the mix and placed himself in a position for success.

The performances of the first 50 swimmers improved each time and with the leaders turning into the second 50 the challenges began to develop as they struck for home.

Into the pressure zone Escolme increased his stroke rate and in the blanket finish emerged in joint second place.

He then turned to the 50m breaststroke sprint and again he found his rhythm and took it on, setting a blistering pace and matching his rivals’ stroke for stroke.

Drawing on his reserves in another storming finish he found himself just touched out into another second place.

He then took on the 100 breaststroke and, despite another fantastic effort showing great technique coupled with superb talent, he again had to be contend with second place.

He went on to collect a 5th and 8th place at 50 and 100m Backstroke to complete his programme. Mathew Gibson put on a fine performance showing his outstanding skills as a Breaststroke swimmer.

In the 50m sprint he got a great start off the blocks and came out of transition well placed and showing lots of aggression. Working hard, he produced a fine solid swim to take 6th place.

His 100m breaststroke saw him produce another outstanding swim in which he held to the pace and stayed composed to drive his way into 9th position. Mathew Foster also had a great meet, finishing in the top ten of his three events.

At his best in the sprints, he took on both the 50 butterfly and 50 freestyle. Full of power, full of strength he tore down the one length battling hard from start to finish.

Stroke for stroke he matched his rivals and in the final burst for the wall, he found himself in 6th place in both events.

He followed this with a highly competent performance in the 100m butterfly to take 10th place.

The Bottomley sisters also had some good results with Annie swimming a fantastic race in the 100m butterfly to take 8th place.