TWO York City Baths Club starlets have helped Yorkshire's swimming team to the ASA National County Team Championships for the first time in 14 years.

The victory - knocking Roses rivals Lancashire off top spot for the first time since 2002 - featured teenagers Harry Devlin and Jason Robson and was overseen by York City BC coach Heather Robson, who was Yorkshire's team manager.

York City BC spokeswoman Lyn Fenby said: "Yorkshire knocked Lancashire off the top spot that they've held since 2002.

"Our two boys are chuffed to have been part of the victory and the club are so proud of them, as we are of coach Heather."

Coach Robson said of the historic triumph: "This was the first time I've team managed for Yorkshire so it was an honour to be asked.

"To be part of a very focussed, enthusiastic group of young swimmers and coaches at a national event and win convincingly made it an epic day to remember."

Devlin, 16 and Jason Robson, 13, both competed in the 100 metres breaststroke in their respective age groups.

Robson clinched first place in his heat and Devlin touched in fifth in his race.

Malton schoolboy Robson also swam in the 12/13-year-old boys' 200m medley relay, helping Yorkshire to another first place.

Yorkshire were runners-up last year and have only fallen outside of the top three just once in the past 14 years.

However, despite being arguably the strongest team on paper, the title of national county champions has eluded them since 2001, until now.

Devlin travels almost daily from his home in Leeds to train with YCBC.

He said: “I have competed in the inter-counties since 2012 and never won the event until this year.

"To be held off from the title for those four years, by Lancashire, and then to beat them this year to take the title, makes it all extra special.

“It’s one of the best competition atmospheres and it’s a big meet-up for competing swimmers to aim for.

"We really enjoyed the whole experience. The team atmosphere makes it even more enjoyable and winning by over 50 points, the first time in the four years that I’ve been there, made it even more worthwhile.”

More than 900 swimmers from 36 counties from across the UK competed in two divisions on Sunday.

Yorkshire and 19 other county teams competed at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, in division one.

Yorkshire won eight races in total, including Robson's two wins, which helped to take their points tally to 544, surpassing Lancashire's total of 486.