PERSHORE'S strong squad of young swimmers finished third at the Nuneaton Junior League third round to reach the divisional final.

They scored 191 points to finish behind winners Rugby on 249 and Solihull on 231 but ahead of Dove Valley on 183 and Oldbury on 158.

Pershore head coach Tom Naughton said: "I am absolutely thrilled for these young swimmers who are going from strength to strength.

"This performance has qualified the team for the divisional final in September giving them a chance to gain promotion to the top division.

"All this has been achieved with great teamwork with the young nine-year-old boys being outstanding, particularly when being asked to swim in the 10 to 11 age group.”

Nine-year-old girls Bella Williams, Philippa Taylor, Jessica Cosnett and Emily Gleaves finished in third for all their races.

Boys Archie Day, George Collett, Kyle Bass and Oscar Lane managed top two individually and won the medley relay collectively.

The 10 and under swimmers were Tom Porter, Toby Marchant, Matthew Drayton, Sophia Lawson, Ava Fletcher, Katie Saunders and Anya Wood.

The girls and boys battled hard for fourth in the relays with strong individual swims from Saunders and Marchant.

There were top-three spots for the 11 and under girls with first and second in the relays for Josie Lane, Emma Taylor, Millie Thomas and Mia Underwood.

Pershore's boys battled hard with Bass, Marchant and Porter swimming up a year group to support Nathaniel Bracewell.

The younger boys also moved up to cover the 11 to 12 year boys' relays.

The 12 and under girls Natalija Kelly, Chloe Barnard, Phillipa Taylor and Sophie Smith were second in both their relays.

There were some strong individual swims from Kelly.