WORCESTER put in a strong performance in round one of the National Arena Swimming League at Derby.

Faced with a tough draw against two of last year’s finalists, the swimmers rose to the occasion to finish a highly creditable third.

City of Derby won with 262 points ahead of Calverton and Bingham 241, Worcester 191, Northgate 161 and Ludlow 141.

There were several international swimmers on show in the premier team competition in the West Midlands.

Of all the five clubs, Worcester were the only one not to win a single race.

But the whole team swam well, close to or inside their personal best times.

Through consistency, strength in depth and fighting spirit, the swimmers all but guaranteed their place in the prestigious Division One again next year.

Head coach Mark Stowe said: “There was a real intensity in the swimmers’ performances.

“With the swimmers recording personal bests in over 40 per cent of the races, we progress to round two full of confidence.”

There were many fine performances, though those of Sam Allen and Alice O’Toole stood out.

Allen recorded a monster best of one minute 5.90 seconds to finish second in the 13 and under 100-metre freestyle.

O’Toole was on fire in the 13 and under 100m backstroke with an impressive 1.12.66.

Many of the squad made their first appearance in the national league.

In the 11 and under age group, there were encouraging debuts for Harry Sykes (second in the 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle), Sebastian Jerrum (second in the 50m butterfly) and Chloe Mabbett (second and third respectively in the 50m freestyle and backstroke).

In the 15 and under age group, Greg Everest produced a personal best of 1.08.86 for second in the 100m Backstroke.

The busiest swimmer of the night, Tabitha Monkhouse, picked up gutsy second and third places in the 100m butterfly and breaststroke, having already swum the open 100m butterfly in a best of 1.11.72.

In the relays, the 13 and under age group enjoyed the greatest success with both the boys and the girls picking up second places in the 4x50m medley and freestyle.

Cara Lee, Lydia Tainty, O’Toole and Becky Hodson were only denied first places by an exceptional City of Derby quartet.

The boys proved the surprise package of the night with Chris Edwards, Matthew Rochell, James Marsh, Jack Weston and Allen combining brilliantly.

The club were well supported and, with the captains unavailable for the gala, Poppy Bramford, Hollie Horton, Rupert Monkhouse, James Allen and Everest all led by example.

Anyone interested in joining the club can email Stowe at coach@worcester.co.uk or call 07986-749401.