City of Southampton Swimming Club are champions of the Speedo National League Division 2 South after a powerful team performance in the title-deciding gala.

But they won't know until next spring whether their dream return to swimming's top flight will become reality.

The club moved to their new Quays home with a three-year plan to gain promotion and did enough in just six months to claim that prize. But their return to Divison 1 - after a seven-year absence - is now threatened by plans to restructure the League. City clinched the win by ten points from hosts and main rivals Crawley - amassing 13 wins and 20 second places in a 50-race contest.

Eleven-year-old pair Luke Fitzhorswell and Emma Wicks laid the foundations with two individual golds each. They both won 50m freestyle races - Luke clocking a personal best 31.54sec. Luke also won in backstroke, Emma in the 50m breaststroke - with a 42.52pb.

Emma Macey (10) added another 11-years win, taking the 50m butterfly in a pb 35.72. Two wins in the 15 years 100m freestyle from Alexandra Hamilton (1min.03.40sec) and Joe Tellett (swimming 'up' a year in 57.40) were backed up by three open category wins. Marie Godwin took the open 100m backstroke, Manousos Syngellakis the men's 100m butterfly and Aaron Rogers the backstroke. Three relay wins saw City defend and extend their narrow lead over the last few events.

If plans for a restructuring of the Speedo League are approved by clubs early next year, City could reach Division 1 just as a new Southern Premier Division is created above them.

The current plan would cut the top division from 30 clubs to 18 - with no room apparently even for the Division 2 champions. The expanded Division 2 and 3 would become Divisions 1 and 2 - each split regionally east/west to reduce the time and expense of travelling.

If the proposals are rejected, City could yet be back where they feel they belong - in the top division, joining Fareham Nomads and clubs from across the south in pursuit of the pre-eminent Portsmouth Northsea. Either way, they will have a second string in next year's league to help develop the club's increasing depth of young talent.

After three straight victories in Speedo this year, coach Alan Ayles is still philosophical: "We've done what was required. Whatever happens about next year happens - we couldn't have done any more," he said.

"The squad's commitment has been excellent and there's a tremendous atmosphere in the club." Ayles, not surprisingly, was this week re-appointed for another year.

They may be a long way from the glories of 20 years ago, when Southampton were one of the top clubs in Europe. But rejoining the South's top 30 is still a big step up - as long as the league's organisers don't take away the ladder.

Result: City of Southampton 208.5, Crawley 198.5, Brighton 176.5, Alton 165.5, Elmbridge 165.5, Croydon 140.5.

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