Skipton's team are a splash hit (From Craven Herald)

Skipton's team are a splash hit

11:45am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport

Skipton swimmers and spectators brought the house down on Saturday evening when the club won the Airedale & Wharfedale District Amateur Swimming Association’s Winter inter-club gala at Aireborough Pool, Guiseley After missing out for the last three years it was a timely and well-deserved success.

They saw off the determined challenges of Kippax, Bradford Swimming Club, East Leeds, Bradford Dolphins and Bingley who all put on a fantastic display of swimming.

The gala featured many close and competitive races. The event consisted of a girl and boy selected from each age group eight, nine, ten, 12 years and under, 14 years and under and open age group competing in all four strokes, the medley relays, freestyle relays and then the finale the 8 x 1 mixed cannon where one girl and a boy from each age group swum in ascending age order. There was a separate presentation for the cannon relay and Skipton also won this to crown a very successful evening.

East Leeds and Skipton battled throughout the gala for the top spot.

Eventually Skipton’s depth in the team and the strong relay performances saw them come out on top. “Every swimmer played their part in the win, did what was asked of them and put in 100per cent effort,” said Skipton’s head coach Ian Scrivin.

Max Carling (12) and Dylan Ains worth (12) both stepped up to the boys 14 years and under team due to a shortage in that age group category and performed well. Mia Douglas (10) received the trophy, presented by Janet Frost, on behalf of the club.

Mia had the honour of collecting the cup because she had been drafted in at the last minute to fill in, for what washer first competition for the club.