CITY of Oxford A had to settle for fifth place when hosting tough opposition in the second round of the Milton Keynes Junior League at the Leys Pool.

Among Oxford’s rivals in this Division 1 match were national junior champions Guildford, plus Southern Division finalists Barnes and Teddington.

City’s 12-and-under girls’ medley relay team of Lara Mills, Evie McClean, Grettel Goodgame and Libby Gotta achieved a fingertip, second-place finish behind Guildford in the first event of the night.

McClean swam a brilliant race to clinch first place in the breaststroke in 37.06secs, having been just pipped into second place in the 50m butterfly.

Other second places for City came from Pearl Sophastienphong (aged nine girls’ 25m butterfly), Megan Peake (aged 11 girls’ 50m backstroke), Ella Joyce (aged ten 50m backstroke), plus Rosie Hilton-Dew and Oliver Conway in the respective girls and boys 11-and-under 50m breaststroke.

Guildford won the event, with Oxford also trailing Teddington, Barnes and Windsor.

City of Oxford B finished a creditable third in the Division 2 gala at Wellingborough, after recording six victories

The 12-and-under girls’ relay team – Ayanna Fulga, Grace O’Gorman, Maddie Watkins and Saskia Boyns – won both the medley and freestyle races.

Meanwhile, the 11-and-under girls – Freya Little, Ellen Bagley, Abigail Hobbins and Liva Barlow-Olsen – took their medley relay.

There were also three individual winners – all in 50m breaststroke events – from Thomas Johnson, ten, Grace O’Gorman, 12, and 11 & under swimmer Ellen Bagley.