A FANTASTIC team performance by Kendal Amateur Swimming Club's U13 200 medley relay team was the highlight when the town's GLL centre hosted the second round of the North West Division One Arena League this week.

The brilliant combination of James Escolme, who set a devastating pace at backstroke, another powerful performance at breaststroke from Reece Kinley, Mathew Foster's pace at butterfly and anchor man Lennon Bell's superb stroke work led to a fantastic victory.

And there was a host of other fine displays as Kendal took on teams from Leyland, Hoylake, Prescot, Everton and Blackburn.

Rosemary Swallow and Thomas Klijn started the ball rolling with excellent all round swims in the 200 individual medley.

Then the 15 and under girls freestyle team of Megan Bascombe, Jessie Keech, Molly Towers and Sophie Gibson all put in solid swims to gain valuable points.

By the end of the first quarter, Prescot and Hoylake were battling it out for the lead but Kendal were pushing hard in what was proving to be a strong division.

With the second quarter consisting of individual events, Kendal had some superb results.

Escolme turned to 100 breaststroke and produced a master class, taking an early lead and with immaculate turns and transitions coupling with a dazzling stroke pattern he registered a terrific win.

Sophie Gibson then stepped up and she too gave a brilliant display of backstroke swimming with classic turns and solid stroke work.

Austin Woodburn also gave a highly competent display of his skill in the 50 butterfly, the 11-year-old getting amongst the top swimmers.

Passing the halfway stage Kendal were in fourth place behind leaders Prescot but urged on by team mates, Austin Woodburn led the charge in the 50 breaststroke, turning on the screws and showing too much skill for his opponents.

Speed merchant Sophie Roberts followed up with a swim from the gods at 100 butterfly, taking an early lead and holding off all challenges for an outstanding win, and Escolme followed that up with a fine second spot in the 100 butterfly.

These results kept Kendal in the hunt, but a point behind Blackburn at this stage.

Into the closing stages and Bell swam the race of his life in the 100 freestyle, showing power, skill and controlled aggression 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.

Into the final round of relays and it was here Kendal finished with a flourish as Escolme, Kinley, Foster and Bell powering their way to a second place in the freestyle.

That was followed by 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 to keep Kendal in that coveted fourth place going into the next round being held at Worsley.