SOUTHERN Junior League champions Ferndown Otters remain on course for a successful defence of their title after an impressive second round victory in Bristol.

They finished 16 points ahead of 2004 champions Swindon Dolphins, who were tipped as leading challengers for the title this year.

Swindon led for the first 10 events but Otters clawed back the deficit to take the lead.

Junior coach Emma Hirst said: "We had some really strong opposition so this was a very good result. Everyone stepped up from the first round and we had many outstanding swims."

Ferndown and Swindon can expect to meet again in the final on June 23, when Bournemouth Dolphins will also be in the mix following their 83-point victory margin at Littledown.

Otters could be without three of their girls, who face a difficult choice between the league final and a trip to Sheffield to represent Ferndown Middle School at the English Primary Schools relay finals on the same day.

Otters head coach Tony Watson said each swimmer would be free to choose without pressure from the club either way.

Ten-year-old Todd Price was Ferndown's leading points scorer as the club registered 25 wins in the 49-race programme at Bristol. He won the 10yrs 50m freestyle and butterfly and stepped up an age group to win the 11/u butterfly.

Brother and sister Noah and Naomi Vides were both individual double winners, Noah taking the 10yrs and 11/u breaststroke, Naomi the 12/u butterfly and breaststroke.

Lucy Kirkham was also a double winner in the 10yrs butterfly and freestyle.

Myles Horlock had a winning start to his swimming career when he won the 9yrs backstroke in his first competition.

In the same age group for girls, Christy Cole set a club record in the breaststroke.

Lucy Hargreaves dipped under 30 seconds for the first time to win the 12/u 50m freestyle while Roseanna Bramwell-Reeks won the backstroke in the same age group.

Zoe Taylor was another winner in the 11/u 50 backstroke.

Ferndown also won 11 relays including the cannon.

Result: Ferndown Otters 254, Swindon Dolphins 238, Thornbury 178, Soundwell 120, Bristol North 113, Western-super-Mare 110.