Freddie Ashley-Sparks scored a hat-trick of wins as Bicester Blue Fins finished second in the Milton Keynes & District League’s opening gala at Barnet Copthall pool in north London.

Ashley-Sparks won the age 11 50m freestyle and butterfly, as well as touching home first in the age 12 50m butterfly.

There was double joy for Tabitha Watkins, who won the age 12 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke.

Lottie Wynne-Jones took the age 11 50m butterfly and backstroke titles, while Maddy Powell won the age ten breaststroke.

Sean Lock, Edward Davis and Maddy Powell all recorded individual second places.

Up against teams from Harrow, Hillingdon, Windsor, Wellingborough and Chalfont, Bicester’s age 9-12 squad got off to the perfect start with victory for the 12 year girls team of Melissa White, Tabitha Watkins, Lottie Wynne-Jones and Tansy Ham-mond in the 4x25m medley relay.

Wynne-Jones and Maddy Powell then combined with Alex Pluckrose and Georgina Zilvetti as the 11 year girls won both their medley and freestyle events.

They wrapped it up when Charlotte Kemp, Freddy Bunce, Powell, Tom Whitley, Wynne-Jones, Ashley-Sparks, Watkins and Ethan Cavill stormed to victory in the 8x25m canon freestyle relay comprising the fastest boy and girl swimmers from the four age categories.

Blue Fins finished overall runners-up behind winners Windsor.

Coach Cheryl Davis said: “These young swimmers swam their hearts out.

“The atmosphere poolside was electric and they were all cheering each other on to some amazing performances.

“Some of them are still only eight or nine and for the team to deliver our best result in the first gala of the top league is a brilliant achievement.”

The second round takes place on July 5.