The Elizabeth College intermediate and senior relay teams. Back (left to right): Joe Ogier, Adrian Aplin, Joshua Lewis and David Hall. Front: Stewart Hume, Matthew Allen, James Jurkiewicz and Jacob Cherry. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0715021)

DESPAIR turned to terrific excitement for the Elizabeth College relay teams at the weekend.

Following initial fears that their chance to compete at the English Schools Swimming Association Team Nationals finals would be scuppered due to adverse weather conditions, they eventually grabbed their unexpected opportunities with both hands.

As master in charge Brain Allen explained: ‘To reach a national swimming final is a goal that makes all the training and years of hard work worthwhile, so you can imagine how the team felt when they heard the announcement that Birmingham Airport was closed due to snow.

‘They were devastated.’

As the day went on conditions did improve and, thanks to Flybe putting on an extra flight, the team at last arrived in England for the finals.

The senior team were seeded in 17th place in the freestyle relay, which meant that they did not qualify for the Gloucester finals in that event but, due to the poor weather and road conditions, one team were unable to make it so the college team were in.

The finals involve two heats of swims with just the top eight swimming again in a final.