CITY of Oxford went through to the Arena League national finals, after a nail-biting South regional final against Guildford, hosts Wycombe, Sevenoaks, Thanet and Bromley.

With head coach Amanda Booth making tactical changes, City scraped into second place behind Guildford.

It is these two teams who will compete in the national finals in April.

But it was mighty close.

City finished just two points clear of third-placed Wycombe, while Thanet, who had won the previous round, were pushed into fourth.

A remarkable total of 40 individual and team personal best times, which led to 29 top-two placings, led to City stealing the runners-up spot.

Their main successes came from the boys 15 and under squad.

Nick Skelton (100m freestyle) and Billy Wootton (100m breaststroke), then combined with Max Bolcato and George Rudd to win the 4x50m medley relay.

Ethan Bird, Kayden Sillah, Lachlan Middleton and Matthew Critchley won both the boys 11 and under medley and freestyle replays.

Gala result: 1 Guildford 222pts, 2 City of Oxford 193, Wycombe 191.

Meanwhile, Witney secured a highest-ever finish in the league.

The west Oxfordshire club finished sixth in the Division 2 for the West Midlands region in the final round at Hinckley.

The girls 15 and under relay team comprising Georgia Duff, Ella Edwards, Ellie Browne, Maddie Good and Lauren Mellings were once again undefeated as they won both relays – medley and freestyle – across all three gala rounds.

Maddie Good was crowned swimmer of the match for her victory in the 15 and under 100m freestyle and second place in the 100m breaststroke.

Reuben Coppuck and Sienna Saunders were runners-up in their individual and relay races.

Other Witney winners were Georgia Duff and Lauren Mellings.

Gala result: 1 Orion 202pts, 2 Hinckley 200, 3 Wantage 199, 4 Arnold 169, 5 Flitwick 150, 6 Witney 127.