KIERAN Bird was agonisingly close to a place in the men’s 400m freestyle final at the Commonwealth Games.

The former Bicester Blue Fins swimmer was fourth in heat two at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, touching the wall in 3mins 50.30secs.

Bird’s time means he is the last reserve for tonight's final.

The ex-Cooper School pupil is back in freestyle action tomorrow in the heats for the men’s 4x100m and men’s 200m.

Meanwhile, former Chinnor forward Max Clementson tasted defeat in the Rugby Sevens as England lost 34-0 to Samoa.