HALESOWEN Swimming Club claimed fourth place in the second round of the National League.

In the face of tough competition in Nuneaton, Hales found themselves in a battle for third spot after the opening relay events.

By the halfway point they were off the pace by 11 points and eventually had to settle for fourth despite closing the gap considerably over the second-half of the event.

Ben Meakin was Hales’ star of the show, winning both his individual freestyle and butterfly events.

Mark Laing won the 100-metre freestyle race and the U11 relay team including James Cuthbert, Jack Simpson and Euan Vaugan-Hawkins won the freestyle and medley events.

Final scores: 1 City of Coventry A 237; 2 Leicester Penguins A 229; 3 Long Eaton 174; 4 Halesowen 168; 5 Leek 140; 6 Chase 101.