City of Oxford were beaten only by reigning champions Guildford City A when they competed in the first round of the Premier Division South contest at Tunbridge Wells.

The City swimmers were in sparkling form and produced some excellent performances to finish in second place with 213 points, behind Guildford’s 262.

Fabian Whitbread won the men’s open 200m individual medley in 2mins 5.89secs while David Murphy landed the men’s open 100m breaststroke in 1.04.72.

City other individual wins came from Natasha Fenton in the girls’ 13 and under 100m breaststroke (1.16.89), Annie Sharp in the girls’ 15 and under 100m backstroke (1.6.98), Delphine Little in the girl’s 50m butterfly (34.07),and Callum Smart in the boys 15 and under 100m breaststroke (1.11.52). The ladies open and girls 15 and under relay teams both won their freestyle and medley relays.

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In addition to the ten top places, City amassed 19 second places.

The second round will see City head to Beckenham, in south east London on Saturday, November 8.

Meanwhile, Bicester Blue Fins got their West Midlands Premier Division campaign of to a great start with victory at Worcester.

Blue Fins beat the host club, Gloucester City, Long Eaton A, Redditch and Belper Marlin to claim their first success in the top flight, following back-to-back promotions.

Tom Thornley and Lottie Wynne-Jones each grabbed three wins, with Thornley breaking the club record in his successful boys’ under 15 100m backstroke.

He also triumphed in the 100m freestyle and the open 100m butterfly.

Wynne-Jones claimed victory in the girls’ 11 and under 50m backstroke and butterfly, plus the 13 and under 100m butterfly.

Both were involved in Bicester’s successful relay teams, Wynne-Jones teaming up with Tia Falkner, Alexandra Pluckrose and Maddy Powell to take the girls’ 11 and under 4x50m freestyle and medleys.

Thornley was part of the successful boys’ 15 and under medley relay team with Kieran Bird, Callum Laird and Josh Rowland.

There were also victories for Tabitha Watkins, in the girls’ under 13 100m breaststroke, and William Whitley in the boys’ equivalent race.

Bird won the boys’ under 15 100m butterfly title, with Oliver Inness triumphing in the 13 and under 100m butterfly and Maddy Powell storming to first place in the girls’ 11 and under 50m freestyle.

 

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