YORKSHIRE not only smashed their Northern opposition in the Amateur Swimming Association's Masters Inter-County Meet at the John Charles Centre of Sport in Leeds, they also easily dethroned Warwickshire as national champions.

Traditionally, it has been a close-run thing between Cheshire and Yorkshire for the regional title – but not this time.

Yorkshire claimed a best-ever 18 victories, nine seconds and eight thirds to score 235 points, Cheshire being second with 189, ahead of Northumberland & Durham (130) and Lancashire (118).

City of Bradford had two representatives on the Yorkshire team – national record holder Chris Brown and 20-year-old Sam O'Donohue – and both were victorious.

Brown competed in the 50 metres backstroke, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and two team events, and won his favoured event, the 50m backstroke.

O'Donoghue, making a welcome return to competitive swimming, swam in the 50m breaststroke and backstroke and two team events, winning the backstroke.

Both train with Bradford Aquatics competition programme.

Subject to ratification, Yorkshire's David Emerson claimed a new British record in the 50-54 years' 50m butterfly in 27.11. Cheshire's Neville Barton also claimed a record in the men's 60-64 years' 50m breaststroke

Also representing Yorkshire at the event were officials Aileen Ibbotson, Christine McCabe, David Alexander and Steven Eddison.