Brown and Halsall complete freestyle doubles

Posted: Friday 20th March 2009 | 19:47

ADAM Brown and Fran Halsall have both completed 50m and 100m freestyle doubles at the British Gas national championships.

DOUBLING UP: Fran Halsall completes 50m and 100m freestyle double (SWpix.com)

Brown, 20, clocked 48.84 seconds, but was pushed all the way by backstroke specialist Liam Tancock, who again impressed in a rare freestyle outing to capture silver - 0.03 secs off the pace.

"I was pleased with how things went - not being a freestyle swimmer it was great to make the final and pick up a medal," he said.

"I just got in there - the time was a personal best I think, so that was a good positive to take.

"I was really pleased with the week - I have posted fast times and I have the British record in the bag in the backstroke.

"I am really looking forward to getting out to the World Championships now. I'm really enjoying what I am doing and training really seems to be paying off in the pool."

Halsall just missed out on a British record, but had enough in the tank to see off Loughborough University team-mate Caitlin McClatchey, by 1.03 secs.

Katherine Wyld, who took silver in the 50m freestyle, took bronze, while 200m and 400m freestyle champion Jo Jackson was fourth.

RYAN BANGS in Sheffield