Bicester Blue Fins got their National Arena League season off to the best possible start with a win in their first West Midlands Premier Division gala at Worcester.

Blue Fins beat Worcester, Gloucester City, Long Eaton A, Redditch and Belper Marlin to claim their first victory in the top flight, following back-to-back promotions in recent years.

Tom Thornley and Lottie Wynne-Jones each grabbed three wins, with Thornley breaking the club record in his successful boys’ under 15 100m backstroke.

He also triumphed in the 100m freestyle as well as the open 100m butterfly.

Wynne-Jones claimed victory in the girls’ under 11 50m backstroke and butterfly, as well as the under 13 100m butterfly.

Both swimmers were also involved in Bicester’s successful relay teams, Wynne-Jones teaming up with Tia Falkner, Alexandra Pluckrose and Maddy Powell to comfortably take the girls’ under 11 4x50m freestyle and medleys.

Thornley was part of the successful boys’ under 15 medley relay team alongside Kieran Bird, Callum Laird and Josh Rowland.

There were also victories for Tabitha Watkins in the girls’ under 13 100m breaststroke and William Whitley in the boys’ equivalent race.

Bird won the boys’ under 15 100m butterfly title, with Oliver Inness triumphing in the under 13 100m butterfly and Maddy Powell storming to first place in the girls’ under 11 50m freestyle.