THE first session of the Liverpool and District age group swimming competition saw success for swimmers from St Helens Swimming Club.

Sarah Healey took the Norman Laird Trophy, winning the 200 metres butterfly championship in addition to wins in the 16 years 400 and 100 metre freestyle. Team-mate Helen Billington won the 400 metre freestyle and the men's 1500 championship went to David Woodward with a new personal best time. Another personal best time gave Claire Beech the 15 year girls 200 butterfly title and Jennifer Baxter won the 200 metre individual medley in the same age group.

Laura McGlynn and Helen Harris were finalists in their events and the girls relay team of Helen Billington, Sarah Healey, Sam Berry and Jennifer Baxter won the championship cup.

In the World Cup Short Course meeting in Hong Kong the following week, Helen Billington swam to third place in the 400 metres freestyle event. Helen Harris represented Lancashire swimming against five other counties in Stoke and took third place in the 100 metre backstroke.

Younger swimmers from St Helens Swimming Club, some only nine years old, have had a first taste of competition recently in relay galas at Denton and Newton. St Helens beat Ashton and Manchester Swimming Clubs to come second to Denton in the first gala. In the second event at the new swimming pool at Selwyn Jones, St Helens beat Ashton and Radcliffe clubs to take the honours.

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