HOSTS Kendal welcomed teams from Leyland, Hoylake, Prescot, Everton and Blackburn to the GLL Centre for the second round of the NW Division One Arena League and the home team did themselves proud.

Rosemary Swallow and Thomas Klijn opened for Kendal in the 200 Individual Medley events producing excellent all round swims.

Then came the relays in which their greatest success was in the 13/under 200 medley.

James Escolme set a devastating pace at backstroke followed by a powerful performance at breaststroke from Reece Kinley.

Handing over to Mathew Foster for butterfly his pace gave them an edge before anchor man Lennon Bell completed a fantastic victory.

The 15 and under girls freestyle team were also in the mix as Megan Bascombe, Jessie Keech, Molly Towers and Sophie Gibson all put in solid swims to gain valuable points for the team.

By the end of the first quarter Prescot and Hoylake were battling for the lead but Kendal were still in it and in the second quarter, consisting of individual events, they had some superb results.

Escolme produced a master class in the 100 breaststroke, burning off the opposition for a terrific win.

Sophie Gibson then gave a brilliant display of backstroke swimming with classic turns and solid stroke work before 11-year-old Austin Woodburn also gave a highly competent display of his skill in the 50 butterfly.

At the halfway stage, Kendal were in fourth place but urged on by team mates Austin Woodburn led the charge in the 50 breaststroke, turning the screw and showing too much skill which his opponents could not match.

Speed merchant Sophie Roberts followed up at 100 butterfly, taking an early lead and holding off all challenges for an outstanding win and more valuable points.

Escolme was again in action at 100 butterfly and despite a huge effort settled for second place, but those results kept Kendal in the hunt just a point behind Blackburn.

Into the closing stages and Lennon Bell swam the race of his life in the 100 freestyle to take third place in a blanket finish.

Then Escolme, swimming up an age group, produced another top class effort at 100 breaststroke to snatch a second place.

The final round of relays then saw Kendal finish with a flourish as Escolme, Kinley, Foster and Bell powered to a second place in the freestyle.

And outstanding results from the open age groups with Megan Jones, Bethan Rowley, Sophie Roberts, Rosemary Swallow, Jessie Keech, Sophie Gibson, Oliver Woodburn, Thomas Klijn, Jacob Saunders, Jacob Klijn, Max Ainsworth and Alex Tallon all playing their part in the 6 x 50 freestyle.

Their combined efforts ensured Kendal kept that coveted fourth place going into the next round which will be held at Worsley.