LEYLAND took second place in their North Lancs Swimming League match against the Chorley and Preston swimming clubs at Leyland Leisure Centre.

The very familiar team began with two convincing wins for Catherine van Russelt and Dan King in the under 12 Girls and Boys Freestyle.

A race with an extremely close finish came next, with a good result for Jill Ashworth in the under 14 Breaststroke.

Then, in the Freestyle relay, Linda Strettle finished level, followed by Charlotte Raimond also level, with Alaina Lovatt easily in the lead and Rachel Horrocks winning by a big margin.

Leyland were leading in points after the first five races. Catherine van Russelt came a good second in the under 12 Butterfly.

Then in another close race, there was a win for Jonathan Bruce in the under 12 Butterfly.

The under 14 Medley Relay brought another win.

Jane Phillipson started the race well -- all level -- Jill Ashworth swam her usual reliable race and finished in the lead, then Suzanne Corbett went well into the lead and Helen Ward gave Leyalnd an exciting finish holding off all opposition comfortably.

Next the boys finished second -- Ian Aguilar, Danny Crook, Adam Thompson and Jonathan Bruce.

The Boys under 12 Freestyle Relay brought win for Leyland with Jonathan Bruce in the lead, James Green increasing the lead, and Dan King and Dan Potts holding increasing the lead.

Then, another very close-race with an excellent win for Suzanne Corbett in the under 14 Fly.

Adam Thompson achieved the same -- a very close finish with a win in the under 14 Butterfly.

There was a tough competition for Rachel Horrocks in the Open Freestyle, but she took first place for Leyland. Emma Moon and Dan king had close races in the under 12 Backstroke.

Then Jill Ashworth had another confident win in the under 14 Freestyle.

After 24 races, Chorley held the lead with 76 points, Leyland were second with 68 points, and Preston third with 48 points.

In this section of 12 races, Leyland had won six.

Nicole Aguilar came second in the U12 Breaststroke, then Fabien Davies U12 Breaststroke had a very good win.

The next win in the U12 Medley Relay was very convincing, a margin of half a length, for Dan King, Fabien Davies, Jonathan Bruce, and Dan Potts.

Jane Phillipson came a close second in the U14 Backstroke.

Carole Wilcox swam very well to take the Open Ladies Backstroke in a new personal best time and Gareth Rowe finished level first in the Open Mens event.

One race left -- the six length Mixed Cannon Relay -- and Catherine van Russelt put Leyland into the lead, Jonathan Bruce increased it, as did Suzanne Corbett.

The margin was maintained by Danny Crook and Linda Strettle and there was never any doubt about Mark Wood coming in first.

The match result and final points totals were Chorley 119 points, Leyland 108 points and Preston 71 points.