WINSFORD Swim Team retained their Crusader League title as a reward for outscoring their rivals for first place during the campaign’s concluding gala on Saturday.

Their swimmers won 36 of the 51 races at Winsford Lifestyle Centre to topple Halton from the table’s summit.

It means they keep the Division One trophy for a fourth successive year.

“They all had fire in their bellies,” said head coach Dan Goodwin.

“It was clear from the start how determined they were, and our swimmers fought for every point. It made the difference.”

Halton started the meet as leaders, with a 17-point advantage, after posting the highest total in each of the previous two fixtures.

Winsford bridged that gap, and moved clear themselves, after recording a victory in all but two of 17 relay races.

Teams from Leek and Wellington also took part.

Goodwin said: “To win any team event is always a good measure of a club’s strength in depth.

“Our swimmers seem to up their game in these competitions, where the racing is often fast and furious and where every point matters.

“As a coach, it’s great to see the camaraderie on pool-side and the atmosphere generated by our supporters on the balcony.

“That’s the fun bit for me; seeing swimmers race out of their skin and enjoying it too.”

A victory on the night, by 38 points, left Winsford 21 points clear of Halton in the final standings.

Leek finished third, and Wellington fourth.

Goodwin added: “The league has three rounds, so everybody that represented us contributed to the success.”