Darlington Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College senior (16-19yrs) boys medley team will be hoping to improve on its third place of last year when he competes in the English Schools national relay team final at Crystal Palace on Saturday, writes ERIC WILKINSON.

It will be represented by Murray Goodrick, Matthew Bowden, Luke Monument and Michael Dowson, the latter replaces Robin Butterfield

The freestyle team, which was seventh last year, has also qualified again. It too has one change and comprises Matthew Bowden, Luke Monument, Alan Farmer and Robin Butterfield, who takes the place of Murray Goodrick.

Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, who were fifth in the senior girls medley and 11th in the freestyle last year, have also reached the finals again.

Other local schools competing are: St John's Bishop Auckland junior (12-14yrs) boys medley and girls medley and freestyle; Emmanuel College, Gateshead, junior girls medley; Woodham Community College intermediate (14-16yrs) boys medley and freestyle; Lanchester St Bede's, intermediate girls medley and freestyle; Hummersknott, Darlington, intermediate girls medley and freestyle.

Mark Wilkinson (Thirsk White Horse) was in fine form to win seven events, ten years 100m individual medley, 200m butterfly and freestyle, 50m backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle at the Harrogate open meet. Rebecca Golightly (Wear Valley) was first in five races, 13 50m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, butterfly, individual medley and Dayne Hitch (Durham) had four wins, 11 50m and 200m backstroke and freestyle.

Laura Welford (Loftus Dolphins) 16 50m backstroke, 50m and 200m freestyle and Scott Hathaway (Wear Valley) 13 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, scored hat-tricks. Other winners included Jenn Cornes (Moors) women's 50m breaststroke and Ryan Johnson (Harrogate), 11, 50m butterfly.

Sedgefield followed up its 8-3 win at Rotherham by beating Manchester 7-4 in the national youth (Under-17) waterpolo championship at Catterick Camp to qualify for the semi-finals. Its goalscorers were Mark Jones (4) and Adam Burton (3).

This was an improvement on its performance against the same team last year when it also reached the semi-finals. It is hoping to continue its steady improvement and go one better this year by reaching the final, but first it must beat either Cheltenham or Kings School, Grantham, both strong teams with a good track record for many years.

The annual Derwentside open distance meet takes place at Hebburn, this weekend.

A series of age group graded open swim meets with age group category awards based on British age group points is to be hosted at six venues by North Tyneside, May 5; Blyth (L and SC), June 2; Tynemouth, June 30; Richmond and Dales, July 7; Middlesbrough, July 8; City of Newcastle, July 15. All heat declared winner bagcat events will be available over the series (excluding 800m and 1500m). Age groups: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and over.