MEDALS were hard to come by at the second North-East Counties ASA Kellogg's Frosties age group championships in the international pool at Leeds.

Chester-le-Street ASC was the most succesful local club with eight medals. The haul included one gold, four silver and three bronze.

Steven Gawman led the way with victory in the boys' 13 years 200 metres freestyle to add to the 200 and 400 individual medley golds he won in the first NEC gala at Sheffield a week earlier.

Gawman had nearly a full second to spare in winning the 200 free from City of Leeds pair Liam Smith and Michael Rix.

The versatile Gawman added two silvers to his collection, finishing second to James Carter (Middlesbrough) in the 100 breaststroke, and to Hartlepool's Chris Alderton in the 400 free.

Chester-le-Street clubmate Stephanie Proud won two silvers. She was second to Danielle Berry (City of Newcastle) in both the girls' 12 years 400 freestyle and 200 IM events.

David Proud won two bronze medals, third in the boys' 15 years 400 free and 400 IM. There were bronze medals also for Chester swimmers Lorna Robinson (girls' 11 yrs 400 free) and Rachel Lowther (girls' 15 yrs 400 IM).

Matthew Clark, of Derwentside ASC, won bronze, third in the boys' 13 years 200 butterfly. Clark was third fastest in the heats of the 100 breaststroke, but slowed in the final to finish fourth. Clubmate Katie-Marie Hall was just out of the medals, fourth in the girls' 16 years 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

Local placings: Chester-le-Street: Boys: 11 yrs., C Croxford 100 free (14), 100 bk (14); 13 yrs., J Barnett 200 fly (7), 100 bst (20), 400 free (12), 200 free (8), 100 fly (6), S Gawman 100 bst (2), 400 free (2), 200 free (1); 15 yrs., D Proud 200 free (4), 100 bk (7), 400 free (3), 100 fly (13), 400 IM (3), A Armstrong 100 bk (11), 100 fly (11), 400 IM (6), S Carlton 400 free (16), 400 IM (10).

Girls: 11 yrs., L Robinson 400 free (3), 200 IM (6); 12 yrs., S Proud 400 free (2), 200 IM (2), E Renshaw 400 free (12), 200 IM (20), S Johnson 400 free (15), 200 IM (13), L Tate 400 free (20), 200 IM (26); 15 yrs., R Lowther 400 free (6), 400 IM (3).

Derwentside: Boys: 12 yrs., C Tilley 100 bst (15); 13 yrs., M Clark 200 fly (3), 100 bst (4), 100 fly (7); 14 yrs., G Lidster 100 bst (11), 200 free (27), 100 fly (6), D Priestley 100 fly (21); 15 yrs., I Anderson 100 fly (16), K McArdle 200 bst (12). Girls: 11 yrs., S Mitchell 200 IM (24); 16 yrs., K Hall 200 free (4), 100 bk (4).

Durham City: Girls; 11 yrs., R Neely 200 IM (9); 13 yrs., A Richardson 100 bk (12).