BROMSGROVE Swimming Club battled against injuries and a depleted U15s boys squad to finish third in the second round of the Speedo League division two.

The club, who had to find eleventh hour replacements, finished on 175 points, 20 adrift of second place Derby Phoenix, who were a further six behind winners Luton.

Many top swimmers who would ordinarily bring home wins were having to settle for second places such was the extent of opposition.

Bromsgrove hosted the six-team gala at the Dolphin Centre, in School Drive, last Saturday and Steve Craner opened the evening by blasting his way home in the Open 4x1 in 1min 4.1secs. Steve joined Simon Smith, Stuart Corbett and Neil Goodman to win the open men's 4x2 medley relay.

Simon went on to take the men's open 4L backstroke in a personal best time of 1min 2.32secs.

The girls nine to 11-year-old 4x1 freestyle team of Victoria Law, Philippa Bussey, Katy Masters and Naomi Barratt looked extremely strong but were pipped at the final flag for second place. Elsehwere, Emily McNally won the U13s girls' 4L freestyle as Bromsgrove led the gala after ten events.

Newcomer Gemma Hutchings joined Amy Marshall, Loren Harrison and Claire Ashford in the U15s girls' 4x2 medley, achieving the runners-up spot.

William Baker helped clinch a top three result for the nine to 11-year-old boys' 4x1 medley with Chris Perkes, Connor Simmons and Stuart Clare.