WINSFORD Swimming Club narrowly missed out bettering last year’s finish in the National Arena League’s North West Premier Division final in Manchester.

They placed eighth overall, a single point adrift of Warriors of Warrington.

It marked the second successive season Winsford reached the showpiece, contested by the region’s best teams.

“I wanted us to go there and race hard and that’s what we did,” said head coach Dan Goodwin.

“To finish eighth of all the clubs in the North West shows the progress we’re making.

“The competition and swimming was fast, but the attitude and spirit of every one of our swimmers was first class.”

After 50 events, consisting of a mixture of individual and relay races, Winsford’s points total was 137 – 28 higher than at the same stage last year.

Stockport Metro took the title.

Winsford did not return home empty-handed, receiving the President’s Trophy for being the best supported finalist after every swimmer and supporter wore one of the team’s fluorescent orange t-shirts.

“Without doubt we had the loudest followers,” added Goodwin.

“It was great to see everybody pulling together like they did.”

Winsford’s swimmers turn their attention next to the Cheshire County Championships, scheduled to start at Macclesfield on Saturday, January 24.

Result

National Arena League

North West Premier Division A final

Manchester Aquatic Centre

1 Stockport Metro 295pts; 2. Ellesmere College Titans 281; 3. City of Salford 280; 4. City of Liverpool 258; 5. Preston 234; 6. Southport 175; Warriors of Warrington 137; 8. Winsford 136.