WORCESTER booked their place in the Nuneaton and District Junior League Division One final with a fine round-three display at Leamington Spa.

Known as the Diddy League, Worcester made the final of the Midlands’ premier team competition for 12 and under swimmers for the first time in nine years.

In the latest round, Worcester A faced bigger clubs Boldmere and Leicester Sharks alongside Wombourne, Blythe Barracudas and Wyre Forest.

Five swimmers won against formidable opposition and 14 placed second.

Wins came for David Annis in the 10 year 50-metre freestyle (33.55 seconds), William Thomas in the nine year 25m breaststroke (24.33), Michael Agoston in the 10 year 50m breaststroke (46.79), Alex Rosser-Barnett in the 12/u 50m butterfly (32.66) and Issy Wilkinson in the 10 years 50m backstroke (40.25). 

There was also success for the boys’ 12/u 4x50m freestyle relay team with Daniel Day, George Glover, Henry Halford and Rosser-Barnett taking first place.

The gala proved a tight affair between Boldmere (235 points) and Leicester (234) with the former snatching victory by one point.

Worcester (209) managed third ahead of Blythe (141), Wombourne (138) and Wyre Forest (106).

The A team should qualify for the final, edging out the likes of City of Coventry to compete against Leamington, Boldmere, Northampton, Leicester and Stafford Apex in September.

Worcester B comfortably retained their place in Division Two after promotion last year and look set for their highest placing in the league. 

Drawn against Telford, Kingsbury A, Oldbury and Oswestry, numerous strong performances showed the strength in depth at Worcester currently.

There were wins for Grace Earp in the nine year 25m backstroke (24.40), Mia Rooke-Hodges in the nine year 25m freestyle (21.81), Hannah Alfrink in the 10 year 50m backstroke (43.55), Izzy Trow in the 12/u 50m backstroke (35.43), Rosie Wikeley in the 12/u 50m freestyle (32.39), Nathan Redfern in the 11/u 50m backstroke (41.56) and Adam Rutter in the 11/u 50m butterfly (40.48).

Worcester B pushed hard throughout but eventually Kingsbury A proved too strong and took the win.

Kingsbury scored 224 points, Worcester B 190, Oldbury 180, Oswestry 164 and Telford 158.