BEN Mallen was in brilliant form against some of the best young swimmers in the North West.

The 11-year-old member of the Ramsbottom Rascals club from Tottington, won the 50m breast-stroke in the prestigious City of Liverpool Junior Inter Swimming League competition on Sunday.

Little Ramsbottom were up against top squad clubs Salford, Wirral, Stockport, Warrington, Bolton, Chester as well as the hosts.

It was generally a miserable afternoon for the Rascals, who certainly didn't enjoy the carnival atmosphere of the keenly-contested events at Everton.

Rascals coaches refused to be downbeat, despite the club coming last, more than 200 points behind the winners Liverpool.

It was a major achievement to actually reach the finals, and as well as protect battleship Ben's personal triumph. Team manager, John Taylor pointed out, Nicola Meadows showed star quality, clocking a back-stroke, personal best.

Ben was in top form again on Monday, as the Rascals beat close rivals Stretford, and now look odds on to win the Central Lancs Junior league divisional title.

In the exciting gala at Ramsbottom, where there was standing room only, the Rascals won 58-48.

Team manager, Alan Curruthers said: "After we won this trophy several times on the run, we donated a new one, which we have never won until very probably now!

"Our team captains did particularly well, and I'd like to praise Donna Moffat who is in fine form.

The Rasals sent a strong team to Great Harwood to take on the Otters, Radcliffe and Howebridge Aces needing a big jubilee competition win, to secure a top four slot.

They triumped by 19 points ahead of Radcliffe with Individual wins for Matt Clegg, Luke Guest, Mick Evans, Gemma Bromley, Nick Pinder, Tommy Mason, Naomi Wroe, Kevin Metcalfe, Laura Spencer and Jonah Heys amongst others.

Head coach, Rick Wesolowski said: "It's been a busy period. We did really well to make the finals at Everton, and the experience will do us the world of good. Some of our younger swimmers were competing in their first gala.

To beat Stretford was a brilliant result, and puts us in good stead for Saturday's Speedo competition in Warrington, where we will be looking to consolidate last year's promotion."