WORCESTER Swimming Club's A' team began their Nuneaton and District Junior League campaign at home.

In the premier team competition for Midlands swimmers aged 12 and under, Worcester aim to repeat last year's first-time appearance at the finals.

Drawn against 2007 champions Northampton, the city swimmers rose to the occasion to secure second place.

Worcester managed 209 points compared to Northampton's 244 with Wyre Forest (194) and Stourbridge (171) well behind.

There were many fine displays, especially from the nine-year-olds making their debuts.

Annabel Wills won the 25-metre breaststroke in 22.17 seconds and then led the 4x25m freestyle relay team to victory with a time of 20.29.

Sophie Tothill managed 19.41, Emily Cowin 20.87 and Megan Bennett 19.88.

The most successful age group was the 10-year-old girls with close wins for Emma Lovesey (butterfly), Kate Lovesey (backstroke) and Verity Tipper (breaststroke) with Helen Rimell making up the winning medley relay team.

However, the most successful individual was Severin Narraine who had comfortable wins in the 12 and under boys' 50m backstroke (34.91) and breaststroke (38.7).

With national qualifier Harry Ackland back from boarding school, both 12 and under boys' relay teams also won.

Narraine and Ackland were joined by Nathan Pallett and Matthew Rochell in the freestyle team plus Yannick Packeree and Chris Edwards in the medley team.

The team stars performed to their usual high standards with Tabitha Monkhouse and Sarah Cowin winning the 12 and under girls' 50m butterfly and breaststroke.

Monkhouse, Sarah Cowin, Cara Lee and Robyn Wyton were too good for even a strong Northampton team in the front crawl and medley relays.

Packeree won the 11 and under 50m butterfly and Jack Weston the 10 and under 50m backstroke.

Head coach Mark Stowe said: "It was a great start to the league. Everyone swam well, especially the nine-year-olds on their debuts, and it augurs well for the next round when it looks like we will be up against another of last year's finalists, Leamington Spa."

Worcester also achieved great results at the Shrewsbury Open.

Jonathan Edwards was top boy in the 13-year-old category and younger brother Chris finished second in the 11-year-old group as well as picking up several other medals.

Wyton gained medals in the 200m backstroke with an eight-second personal best, 50m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.

Hayley Weaver put everything into her 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly in a bid to obtain a district time.

James Stevens gained a two-second personal best on his 50m freestyle time.

Tipper achieved three personal bests in the 200m backstroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.

Anyone interested in joining the club can call Stowe on 07986-749401.