Niamh Robinson and Natasha Rogan recently made their County debut at the ASA National County Team Championships.

The Pioneer 79 swimmers were selected to represent Lancashire at the event in Sheffield and helped them become Division 1 champions for the 13th year in a row.

In the 100m Butterfly, Niamh (15) was beatenn by 0.71 of a second, but  Niamh’s time of 1:01.62 earned her a new personal best by almost two seconds and 19 points for her county.

Niamh was back on the blocks for the 100m Breaststroke and she finished third in a phenomenal new PB of 1:09.79, earning a further 18 points for Lancashire.

Natasha’s first event was the backstroke leg of the girls’ 12/13 years 4x50m Medley Relay, along with Holly Rowlinson, Ellie Molyneux and Athena Clayson.

Natasha (13) swam a very strong first leg for the team, finishing the 50m in a new PB of 30.71.

The team battled it out with Middlesex throughout the final three legs, however, it was Lancashire that managed to hold on and take the top spot, finishing in a very fast time of 2:00.73.

Natasha’s next event was the 12/13 year girls 100m Backstroke. At the 50m point Natasha looked dominant, turning first in a time of 31.39, and she continued to hold her lead up the next 25m, but after the turn the field caught her up and after a nailbiting final 25m, Natasha came fourth in another PB of 1:05.43, picking up 17 well-earned points in the process.

In the 14/15 year girls 4x50m Medley Relay, Niamh teamed up with Hannah Kelsall, Emma Whittingham and Samantha-Jo Hollings.

Niamh’s 50m Breaststroke leg was excellent, taking over in fifth position and leaving her team in second, although the Lancashire lasses finished sixth overall in a time of 1:59.29, earning 15 points.

After an extremely close battle between Lancashire and Somerset, it was Lancs who prevailed to retain the Division 1 title. Finishing with 506 points, they beat Somerset (472) and Yorkshire (427).

With 105 clubs affiliated to the County of Lancashire, having two swimmers selected was a great achievement for Pioneer 79 and the club, which is based at Accrington Academy, is proud of both girls. The Lancs team comprised of 24, four boys and girls in each age group.