Bicester's swimming stars Kieran Bird and Thomas Thornley are chasing national success in the Sainsbury’s School Games in Manchester.

Less than a month after leading Bicester Blue Fins to success at the ASA National Championships in Sheffield, the pair again face national competition after being selected to represent England East at the Games.

More than 1,600 athletes will compete in a variety of sports over four days, with swimming starting tomorrow at Manchester Aquatics Centre.

Thornley was delighted with his selection.

“I feel very privileged to have been asked to compete,” he said.

“It will be a great opportunity for me to develop as a swimmer and as an athlete overall.

ATHLETICS: Alchester’s Nigel Lambert has a battle on his hands to clinch the Vet 70 honours at the final race of the Motavation Series in Oxford tonight (7).

Lambert is level with Kidlington RAC’s Michael Collins at the top of the standings on four points.

In the women’s race, Alchester duo Sarah Rendell and Sam Usher are fourth and fifth respectively in the V35 standings ahead of this evening’s race, which starts from Oxford Harlequins RFC in Marston Ferry Road.

Alchester A are second in the women’s team standings, but 75 behind defending champions Headington Road Runners A.

Meanwhile, Sam Usher was the highest-placed Alchester athlete at Sunday’s Headington 5, finishing 65th in 32mins 29secs.

HORSE RACING: Italian Beauty recorded her third win this season for Twyford trainer Tim Jarvis with a game success at Newbury.

The three-year-old, whose two previous victories had come on fast going, battled through the heavy ground to held off Elusive Ellen by a neck in a seven-furlong fillies’ handicap under Patrick O’Donnell.

AUNT SALLY: Latest results from the Bicester & District League, sponsored by Hook Norton Brewery.

Premier & Div 1: Black Bull A 1, Launton S&SC A 2; Nut Tree 3, Red Lion Wendlebury 0; Crown A 3, Shakespeare 0; White Lion A 2, Highfield SC A 1.

Div 2: Muddy Duck 2, Red Lion Finmere 1; Bull Launton 2, Ashton Club 1; White Horse B 3, Bull & Butcher B 0; Prince of Wales 1, Black Bull B 2.

Div 3: White Hart Originals 2, Fountain A 1; Bull & Butcher A 2, White Horse A 1; Red Cow 2, Barley Mow 1; Bell Bicester 2, Ex Services 1.

Div 4: Highfield SC B 3, White Lion B 0; Chearsley Cricketers 2, White Hart Wanderers 1; Swan Islip 3, Hundred Acres 0; Plough Marsh Gibbon 1, Crown B 2; Fountain B 2, Safari Garden 1.

Div 5: Red Lion Stratton Audley 3, Crown Gawcott 0; Eight Bells 2, Nightingale 1; Black Bull Divas 1, Poachers Pocket 2.

Sixers: F Hillier (Launton S&SC A), R Girling (White Lion A).

GOLF: Latest results from Bicester ladies’ section.

Ladies August monthly stableford: 1 C Roberts 35pts, 2 L Watkins 33, 3 L Ryder 30.

Par Plate: 1 A Reid 0, 2 L Watkins -2, 3 L Bosher -4 (cb).

Anniversary Cup: 1 K Paton 41, 2 T Cox 37, 3 J Beever 36.