JUNIOR swimmers from Halesowen made the trip to Nuneaton for the first round of the junior league first division on Saturday, April 18.

The draw promised tough competition and that is exactly what faced the team right from the first event.

By the halfway mark it as clear that fifth spot beckoned and despite some battling performances the team were unable to improve further by the end of the gala.

The only individual winner on the night was Job Bailey in the boys age 10 and under backstroke. Runners-up in individual events were Hannah Willis in the breaststroke and freestyle, Jacob Smith in the breaststroke and Anthony Demitry in the butterfly.

The boys age nine relay team, including Theo Evans, Jack Everton and William Walker, grabbed second spot in both medley and freestyle events with the boys age 10 team including Adam Ryan, Noah Taylor and Jamie Worton also securing second spot.

Special mention also goes to Darcy Crump and Anthony Demitry who were representing the club for the first time.

A day later saw Halesowen travel to Droitwich for the A final of the Worcester Winter League.

Following a busy weekend of swimming, the team performed solidly to finish fourth overall.

Star of the show was Josh Bradley with double event wins in the backstroke and breaststroke. Other individual winners were Chloe Finch, Kate Morrice and Mark Laing in the Freestyle and Lily Merrell in the breaststroke.