KENDAL Swimming Club staged another local Gala for girls giving them a chance to test the skills amongst themselves.

13-year-old Annie Bottomley was in a competitive mood and throughout her swims stayed composed while showing great technique coupled with superb talent.

She opened her account in the 100m Individual Medley, getting a great start at Butterfly and fighting off the challenges of Kate Collin and Elissa Kinley.

During the backstroke and all three kept up the pressure, but obviously keeping energy in reserve for the final length.

Superb transitions had them turning into Breaststroke together and all three injected more pace with Bottomley getting a slight lead into front Crawl and in the charge for the finish she just managed to steal the win in a blanket finish.

Her next win was the race of the meet as she became locked in a three-way battle with Collins and Lara Smith.

Try as they did none would leave the other’s shoulder over the four lengths. Into the pressure zone, Bottomley and Collins moved up a gear and in a supreme effort hit the finish together with Bottomley just touching out Collins by a fraction of a second.

16-year-old Molly Moran also had a fine meet with three convincing wins to her name.

Her first effort was the 200m Freestyle, one of her favourite events and one in which she quickly took command.

Off the block she came out of transition and took it on.

Settling into her stroke pattern she began to pull clear of Emma Duxbury, Eve Murray and Elise Tallon who all worked hard to stay in touch.

Off the block she came out of transition and took it on. Settling into her stroke pattern she began to pull clear of Emma Duxbury, Eve Murray and Elise Tallon who all worked hard to stay in touch.

But as the race progressed Moran got better and better and timed her swim to the finish with perfection for a comfortable win.

Her next event brought her two outstanding victories as she produced a brilliant display of all round stroke work to take both the 16/Under and the Open titles ahead of challengers Isabelle Wall-Budden and Chloe Westmorland.

Her final victory came from the 50m Backstroke sprint where Wall-Budden, Duxbury, Tallon and Annie Bottomley all got in the mix.

Chloe Westmorland was another who managed to complete the double with brilliant wins in the !6/under Breaststroke and also the Open title at the same stroke.

She quickly found her rhythm and set a relentless pace leaving Tallon and Ellie Bottomley working hard to stay in touch.

Forcing the pace, she maintained her lead however and winding it up over the last length she came through for a fine win.

The most gruelling race, the 200m Butterfly was won by Lucy Klijn who swam a fantastic race against Charlotte Stainer. Both girls displayed skill, stamina and gave a performance to be proud of.

Four of the Club’s up and coming swimmers all gave winning performances with Indie Brookes - 9yrs Freestyle, Emma Anderson Bickley - 10/under 50 Backstroke, Ruby Anderson Bickley – 11/under 100 Breaststroke and Felicity Pattinson – 11/under taking a title each and gaining valuable experience.