McLean shines as Earswick finish top

12:01pm Saturday 17th May 2008

New Earswick Swimming Club's Friendly Team won their toughest battle of the season when they competed at Scarborough Indoor Pool.

The fixture saw Bridlington, Driffield, New Earswick, Scarborough I, Scarborough II and South Hunsley come together to fight it out for Friendly League glory.

And not only did the team win, but Helen McLean also scooped the Star Performer Trophy for her outstanding performances in the pool.

After some excellent displays in the first set of team relays, New Earswick were in third place in the standings, behind Bridlington and South Hunsley.

Hannah Bircumshaw took first place in the nine years 25-metre breaststroke and, as a result, New Earswick went into the lead by one point.

Katie Buchanan was the next person to win an individual event, when she touched home in the nine years 25m butterfly event.

New Earswick's 11 and under breaststroke relay team of Chloe Hopper, Ellie Jackson, Emma Nuttall, Hannah Bircumshaw, Beth Taylor and Carys Ward took first place, when they finished an impressive nine seconds ahead of second-placed Bridlington.

The girls' open age group, of K Reed, C Barkway, L Bee and R Openshaw, followed suit when they also won the breaststroke team event, and Erin Leary was victorious in the nine years 25m freestyle, impressively winning by a second.

The girls' open age group 50m breaststroke event saw Katherine Reed finish in first place, after a tough encounter with rivals South Hunsley.

New Earswick were thus an impressive eight points ahead of second-placed South Hunsley going into the final set of team relays.

The 13 and under girls' freestyle relay team finished 11 seconds in front of runners-up Bridlington to continue the point scoring and, after numerous personal best times were recorded, it was announced that New Earswick had been victorious.

Finals standings: New Earswick 176pts, South Hunsley 165, Bridlington 157, Scarborough I 140, Driffield 128, Scarborough II 104.

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