Butterfly ball of a swim for Lydia

9:09pm Wednesday 1st August 2007

LYDIA McManus found herself in the fastest British women's butterfly race in history at Sheffield - and almost won a medal.

After reaching the 16-17yrs youth final of the 100m butterfly, the Ferndown Otters' 16-year-old powered down the first length to turn third in 29.64 behind Borough of Stockton's Jemma Lowe and Jess Dickons, both senior internationals and former European junior champions.

Lowe went on to win the youth title in 58.91, making her the first British woman to go under 59 seconds, and was later to lower the British record again to 58.73 in the women's semi-final.

Meanwhile, McManus approached the last 25 metres still in contention for the bronze medal.

She couldn't quite hold on to the place but ended up in a fine fifth position in a time of 1:03.61, more than a second quicker than her previous best.

She said: "I went into it feeling pleased that I had got into the final and just trying to do a PB.

"Although I was in lane one, I knew I was up there and that if I held my stroke for the last 50, I could even get a medal.

"I didn't get one but I'm pleased and surprised to get such a high placing."

The following day, she joined team-mates Emily Freeman (backstroke), Fran Hughes (breaststroke) and Nicole Scott (butterfly) to reach the final of the 4x100m youth medley relay.

In the final they placed ninth with splits of 1:08.17 (Freeman), 1:15.60 (Hughes), 1:05.11 (Scott) and 59.24 (McManus).

Ferndown's Fran Hughes was the second youngest of the 10 finalists in the 14-15yrs 100m breaststroke, finishing seventh in 1:16.12.

She also made the 200m final, placing ninth (and second 14-year-old) in 2:45.49.

All but one of Ferndown's youth swimmers recorded personal best times.

Zoe Watson lopped eight seconds off her previous best for the 800m freestyle to finish as the fifth 14-year-old in 9:19.66.

She also dropped two seconds in the 200m freestyle to 2:11.62.

Emily Freeman improved her best times in the 100m and 200m backstroke and 200m freestyle, Cat Close in the 200m backstroke and Hannah Jenkins in the 200m freestyle.

Otters chief coach Tony Watson said: "Last year we under-performed at the youth championships but I took those lessons on board and I think the swimmers were better prepared this time.

"That's a testament to the coaching team back at Ferndown, who looked after them when I was up here at the age groups.

"I'm really pleased with the work we have done and the way the swimmers have competed."

Danielle Francis was the most in-form of Bournemouth Dolphins' youth swimmers, slashing 15 seconds off her PB to come seventh in the 16-17yrs 1500m freestyle in 17:30.84.

She also improved in the 100m and 200m free, rising from 33rd to 13th in the 200m rankings.

"Danielle has made a big step forward and will now move into a specialist programme to challenge at senior level next year," said chief coach Graham Bassi.

Chris Campbell was the fastest 15-year-old in the men's 50m butterfly with a personal best 26.46.

He also set PBs in the 50m freestyle (26.09) and 100m breaststroke (1:12.21).

Kim Rowles, who was battling a cold as well as her rivals, and Jasmine McCormack had what Bassi described as a "week of learning".

"We have had a mixed week but I'm sure they will bounce back from the disappointments," he said.

Rowles narrowly missed a place in the 200m individual medley youth final.

Bassi was impressed with the form of 18-year-old William Harrison, who joined Dolphins two months ago after moving to Bournemouth from Lancashire.

Swimming for his old club Colne, he clocked 24.34 to reach the 17-18yrs final of the 50m freestyle. He improved to 24.26 to finished seventh.

Bassi added: "The past 10 days of age group and youth championships have encouraged me that our hard work is paying off.

"Four medals and 20 top 10 placings at the age groups put us among the top 15 clubs from 45th last year.

"We must now move forward and challenge for a place in the top 10 clubs next year."