WINSFORD Swim Team will have an opportunity to test themselves against their strongest rivals from across the region after reaching a National Arena League final.

They secured a spot at the North West Premier Division showpiece as a reward for ranking third in a qualifier at Macclesfield last week.

“Our goal was plain and simple and we achieved it,” said head coach Dan Goodwin.

“We went into every race with the intention of giving everything, and the results were incredible.”

A swimmer from Winsford finished inside the top three after 30 of 50 races during the second fixture of the campaign.

Five of those were wins.

Jay Cushen celebrated a double success after setting the fastest time in both the under 15s boys’ breaststroke and butterfly over 50m.

Meanwhile Izzy Kay was a victor in the girls’ 100m butterfly for the same age-group category.

Winsford Swim Team collected maximum points too from two relay races; the under 15s boys’ 4x50m freestyle and 4x50m medley.

They were second in 10 other races, which left them clear of fourth-placed Isle of Man on the night and sixth in the overall standings after two rounds.

Goodwin added: “We showed tremendous consistency throughout the gala.

“There have been good nights in the past, but I think this season has seen our best performances to date and that makes it exciting times for the club.”

The top eight contest the A final at Blackpool next month.

It will be the fifth time in the past seven years Winsford have reached that stage, and they have never finished higher than eighth.

Results

National Arena League

Round Two

Saturday, November 10

At Macclesfield

North West Premier Division: 1, Warrington Warriors 323pts; 2, Wigan Best 309; 3, Winsford 278; 4, Isle of Man 217; 5, Trafford Metro 191; 6, Horwich 183; 7, Leyland Barracudas A 172; 8, Crewe Flyers 123