Development plan for swimming coach Furniss
Despite some spirited performances from the youngsters, they struggled against the big city clubs.
Facing LVSC swimmers were the winning teams from the other five north of England leagues.
Some of the competitors came from swimming ITCs (Intensive Training Centres) and elite council-funded swimming programmes who are able to draw upon talent from a larger number of clubs in their surrounding areas than the Vulcans can access.
It is a measure of their success that Lincoln Vulcans, who exist without any sizeable financial contributions from local authorities, can challenge and perform at the highest levels against such clubs.
It is also an indication of the size of the task facing Vulcans as they seek to develop their own infrastructure to move the club and swimming in Lincolnshire forward to a higher level.
"It is clear from the standard of the competition that the lack of a credible and progressive development pathway for swimmers in Lincolnshire is now hindering the county's ability to develop athletes," said Furniss.
"Especially if we want to race against those counties that already benefit from these established structures.
"If Lincolnshire is serious about wanting to compete on the national stage, it must now make some brave decisions about the structure of swimming in the county.
"We must work better together, otherwise no Lincolnshire club will achieve the levels of national junior and senior success that the county is capable of producing."
It was a view shared by the club's chairman David Hendel.
"The day was a great team-building exercise with all the usual noise and excitement that the Junior League final brings," said Hendel.
"However, we now recognise that to move the club to the next level we must work ever harder on starts, turns and finishes, stroke technique, training, nutrition, rest and teamwork.
"The strength of the other northern teams has given us a really clear standard to try and attain.
"Now we must all strive to reach these new heights."
Vulcans arrived at the event fresh from their recent and resounding victory in the final round of the Lincolnshire League.
The swimmers were full of hope despite movements in the squad due to the change in age cut-off for the Northern final – a challenge which meant that several swimmers moved up an age group for the gala.
The size of the task became apparent once the swimmers lined up on poolside.
Many swimmers were dwarfed by the sheer height of the competitors from some of the other clubs when they lined up on the blocks.
More swimming in today's Echo
Fred Furniss.
Comment on this story