THIS has been another successful year for Radcliffe Swimming Club.

In 2003 it was promoted to the first division of both the Manchester and District Leagues; finished third in the Central Lancs Junior League; and won a place in the top final of the Central Lancs Jubilee League, so it was always going to be tough to beat that.

However, considering the higher level of competition that the swimmers have competed in, Radcliffe have done equally as well, if not better this year.

The club finished fifth in the Manchester and District League Division One, showing an ability to compete well in the higher division and the club remains in Division One for 2005.

Although not achieving a place in the top final of the Central Lancs Jubilee League for this year, Radcliffe were convincing winners in the 'C' final and were obviously capable of doing better.

In the Central Lancs Junior League, only the teams with the greater strength in depth were going to be able to compete for top place.

With the higher level of swimmer involvement, the races being 4 x 50m and 4 x 25m relays, it was essential to have a full team and to have swimmers capable of performing well consistently, in order to challenge for the top place.

Although not always able to field a full team, the commitment from the swimmers was usually good and because of this Radcliffe achieved an exceptional second place in the Junior League, with the 10yr boys, 10yr mixed, 14yr boys, 14yr mixed, 16yr girls, 16yrs boys and 16yr mixed all taking first place in their age group, with the 10yr and 14yr age groups very narrowly missing out on the overall age group shields, coming a very close second.

The 16yr age group were convincing shield winners, with the 16 yr team and the 16yr mixed team unbeaten all year.

There has for many years been a great gulf between the first and second divisions of the Central Lancs Junior League, with teams promoted from the second division struggling to compete in the first.

It is a great credit to the quality of the swimmers from the club, that after being promoted to the first division four years ago the club not only have remained in the league but have become one of the dominant forces in it.

Individual success in "open" competition has also been evident this year with many swimmers achieving good results in competition.

In the Central Lancs Age Groups, first place went to Joanne Long in the 200m and 400m Freestyle, Alice Holden in the 50m breaststroke, Louis Szymanski in the 50m butterfly, and Sam Barrow in the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke.

In the Lancashire County Age Groups, James Gibson took first place in the 200m butterfly, 400m individual medley, 400m and 1,500m freestyle.

In the Manchester and District Championships, Sam Barrow was first in the 50m backstroke and Laura Evans first in the 50m breaststroke.

In the Central Lancs Championships, Sam Barrow was junior champion in the 100m backstroke, Joanne Long was junior champion in the 50nm freestyle, and Abigail Coop and Kate Holden were both first in their respective age groups in the 50m breaststroke.

In the Central Lancs Warburtons Galas, Ruth Payne was first in the 200m individual medley, Sam Horrocks was outstanding when placing first in the 50m butterfly and the 50m freestyle, Joanne Long first in the 100m freestyle and 100 breaststroke, and Sam Barrow was first in the 50m backstroke.

Only swimmers placing first have been mentioned, although a great many swimmers achieved places in the top three of the above competitions, with even more achieving a place in the top six

In Radcliffe Swimming Clubs own Annual Championships, three new club records were set by Joanne Long in the Womens Open 100m freestyle, and the womens 50 freestyle.

Joanne was also awarded the Tootill Trophy for the overall top swimmer, while James Gibson was awarded the Howarth Shield for second place.

Centenary trophies for the top swimmers in the 12 year age group went to Abigail Coop and Sam Horrocks.

In the 14yr age group, the winners were Megan Hughes and Sam Barrow.

It has been a great year but even more commitment from both swimmers and parents is needed if it is to continue in 2005.

While parents will have to show more interest and commitment to their childrens involvement if they want them to do well.