SOME of England’s biggest city swim squads proved too strong for Swim Bournemouth at the Arena National Junior Inter-League final at Corby, Northants.

But the Southern Junior League (SJL) champions are still officially the eighth best 9-12yrs team in country after coming eighth against seven other league winners.

Age group coach Anne-Marie Taylor said: “This is our second time in the national final in three years and it puts Swim Bournemouth on the map.

“We’re a small club compared to teams like City of Leeds and Northampton. The kids were excited to be there, especially now we have guys coming through who have never done this.”

To reach the final, Swim Bournemouth not only had to retain their SJL title but finish in the top four in the southern semi- final.

The national showdown was spectacular with music, colour, dancing on poolside and a gallery packed with supporters from all eight clubs.

In the pool, wins proved elusive but Amy Brown and Tiger Kelleway both achieved second places – in the girls’ 10yrs 50m breaststroke (41.21) and the boys’ 12/u 50m freestyle (28.27).

Boys’ captain Kelleway also registered one of his team’s three third places in the 12/u 50m backstroke (34.31).

Also third were Matthew Workman in the 9yrs 50m freestyle (34.21) and Ollie Fairman in the 11/u 50m breaststroke (40.45).

Result: 1 Guildford 315, 2 Stockport 280, 3 Northampton 232, 4 Southport 217, 5 Norwich 213, 6 Leeds 193, 7 Boldmere 185, 8 Swim Bournemouth 131.

  • Robbie Hemmings contributed four golds, a silver and a bronze to a Poole tally of 44 medals at the Swim Bournemouth Level 2 Open Meet at Littledown.

He won the 9-10yrs 50m freestyle and backstroke and 200m backstroke and butterfly.

Gold also went to Chris Parsons in the 14yrs 200m butterfly and Heidi Taylor in the 9-10yrs 200m medley.

Host club Swim Bournemouth’s swimmers claimed 141 medals including 51 golds, 17 of which were won by Matt Collins, Henry Stanbrook and Amy Brown.

Collins’ magnificent seven came in the 14 yrs 50, 100, 200 and 400m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 100m butterfly and 200m backstroke.

Stanbrook won the 15yrs 100 and 200m butterfly and freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 200m medley and Brown the 9-10yrs 100 and 200m freestyle and 50m breaststroke and butterfly.

Jess Richens won all three 15yrs breaststroke events and the 50m backstroke.

Triple winners were Hannah Stonier in the 13yrs 50, 200 and 400m freestyle and Izzy Pryce in the 13yrs 50 and 100m breaststroke and 100m freestyle.

Evie Peckham won five of Seagulls’ 12 medals including gold in the 50m freestyle.

Gold also went to Seagulls’ Jacob O’Hara in the 200m breaststroke, Emma Garland in the 50m breaststroke and Amelia Reynolds in the 400m freestyle.

Other Swim Bournemouth winners: 11yrs Ella Bowman 50m breast, 100m free; Ollie Fairman 200m back; Rosie Holland 50m fly. 13yrs Toby Kitchener 400m medley; Morgan Long 50m free. 14yrs Megan Leaper 100m free; Harriet Perfect 100m free, 200m back; Callum McGregor 400m medley; Kelvin Wong 100m breast. 15yrs Batian Thorpe 400m free; Eleanor Devine 50m free. 16/o Alan Wong 100 & 200m back; Elisabeth Hood 400m free; Martin Bleaken 50m free, 100m fly; Jack Simpkins 100m free.