MICHELLE Parsons and Michelle Kimberley competed for Team SIS in the semi-finals of the Daily Telegraph sponsored Female Dream Team competition at the David Lloyd Centre in Cardiff on Sunday.

Following their successful performance in the heats, the two Michelles, together with their teammates Alex Robinson from Derby, and Jacqui MacQuinsten from Exmouth, were in confident mood, knowing that three of the five teams competing would automatically qualify for the final in Birmingham on Sunday October 28.

The first event was the gym relay and one of the team's stronger events. The girls were a little shocked then to find themselves in fourth place after this event and having performed so well previously at this discipline.

Determined to get themselves back up the leader board they set off on the 1.75-mile run, the start of which coincided with a torrential downpour. They showed their determination by finishing second in the team event with Kimberley fourth and Parsons tenth.

Back inside and into the pool, in a change to the running format seen in the heats. The girls produced a much improved time overall with all four going faster to finish fourth overall.

Next came the individual tests. MacQuinsten managed a phenomenal lift of 75kg in the one rep max test weighing at well below 60kg.

Parsons almost bettered her personal best on the 2000m indoor rowing machine test, while Kimberley and Robinson produced personal bests in the bleep test, which was extended from the usual 20-metre distance to 24 to further test athletic endurance.

Even after these fantastic performances the team found themselves trailing in fourth position going into the final event the sprint relay.

With only three to qualify and behind third place by 7.5 points it meant that they needed to beat the third-placed and home team of David Lloyd Cardiff.

After an exciting race the girls showed their mettle by not only beating their rivals but also winning the sprint relay race itself to guarantee a place in the final.