City of Southampton stand on the brink of a return to top-flight swimming for the first time in seven years after a second straight gala victory in the Speedo National League's Division 2 South.

They go into the final six-club gala next month chasing promotion back into Division 1 South and a first step towards regaining the glories of 20 years ago when Southampton had one of the leading swimming clubs in Europe. Their second Speedo win was convincing enough to suggest they are ready for a league where the south's top clubs (including locals Fareham Nomads) annually chase the preeminent Portsmouth Northsea - consistently one of the best three clubs in the country. City ran up a 45-point margin at Maidenhead.

A total of 19 wins and 15 seconds in 50 races demonstrated the growing strength of this City squad. Joe Tellett scored two victories swimming up an age-group (15 years 100m freestyle, 1.00.38, and backstroke,1.08.21) and Alexandra Hamilton won the same two races in the 15 years girls as did Aaron Rogers in the open category (55.71 and 1.04.31). City's fourth double-winner Emma Wicks in the 11 years 50m freestyle and breaststroke. Other individual winners: Lois Farrier (open butterfly), Michael Tuck (15 years 100m breaststroke), Luke Horswell (11 years 50m freestyle) and star 10-year-old Emma Macey, a three-time winner at the Poole open meet a week earlier and first home in the 11 years 50m butterfly this time. Seven relay wins completed the set.

Result: City of Southampton 232, Brighton 186.5, Erith 185.5, Staines 162, Slough & Maidenhead 162, Colchester 120.

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