BOTH Poole and Swim Bournemouth will be heading for Sunday’s junior league national semi-final in Nuneaton after days of doubt and debate over who really won the Southern Junior League (SJL).

But the contest will be swum “under protest” pending a resolution of the dispute by league officials.

Until last weekend, both teams believed that Swim Bournemouth were the champions after beating Poole into second place by eight points in the SJL final at Bristol on September 9.

But a recount was ordered after Bournemouth voluntarily declared that they had swum an unregistered swimmer due to an administrative error.

This led to a points deduction and an invitation to Poole, as the new champions, to take their neighbours’ place at Nuneaton.

But after days of discussion, league officials yesterday told Swim Bournemouth coach Sam Woodward that his team could take part after all.

Woodward told the Daily Echo: “According to my calculations, the two two teams’ scores were level after our points deduction.

“We also had most wins in the gala, most points after the first two rounds and we won the cannon relay.

“So I believe we are still SJL champions.”

Poole coach Barry Alldrick said: “We have been told we are SJL champions for the first time and I’ll be delighted if that is confirmed.

“But both teams swam their hearts out in the final so I would have been sorry if Swim Bournemouth’s youngsters were not also involved.”

The local rivals will face the champions of five other leagues, including defending national champions Guildford City.

The others are Camden Swiss Cottage, City of Derby, Leicester Sharks and UEA City of Norwich.

The top four at Nuneaton will progress to the National Junior Inter-League final at Corby in November.

• Poole’s world junior finalist Jacob Peters is among 37 swimmers named in British Swimming’s World Class Potential squad for 2017-18.

The selection will give Britain’s fastest-ever 17-year-old in the 100m and 200m butterfly access to training camps and international competitions, financial help and access to the country’s best sport science and medicine.

Head of elite talent development Tim Jones said Peters was among a group of swimmers with the potential to “add fire power” to the British team for the Tokyo Olympics.

“We have added athletes who not only stepped up to be counted at the World and European Junior Championships but have also shown the desire to make the important junior to senior transition,” he said.

“Over the next 12 months we will continue to expose this group to a variety of uncomfortable and challenging experiences to ensure they are adequately prepared for the rigours of senior international competition.”

• Poole’s 10 to 11-year-old boys struck gold twice to lead the club’s 16-medal haul at the South West Relay Championships in Plymouth.

The quartet of Charlie Meek, Xavier West, Zack Studley and Max Looker won the 10-11yrs freestyle with Liam Duffy replacing Meek in the medley relay.

Poole also won seven silver and seven bronze medals in the 24 events to finish third in the medals table behind Mount Kelly and City of Bristol.