Impressive Miley books her berth for Budapest

HANNAH Miley successfully defended the 200m individual medley title and made a pitch for a place in the GB team for the 200m freestyle relay thanks to a typically impressive opening session of finals for the Scot at last night's British Gas Swimming Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Coached by her father, Patrick, the 20-year-old made sure of her place in the British team for the European Championships in Budapest in August by taking the 200m IM in 2:12.32.

Just 40 minutes earlier, she finished fourth in a 200m freestyle won in 1:57.87 by double Olympic champion, Rebecca Adlington. Miley was one of a quartet to finish under the two-minute barrier in 1:59.52. "I've been working hard over the last few weeks, although it's not been too easy because the Inverurie Pool was shut for six weeks due to refurbishment," explained Miley. "But I was lucky to be able to use the Pool at Robert Gordon's University in Aberdeen. It also meant I managed to do some more land work."

The final of the 400m freestyle turned into a real tussle between two Aberdonians, Robbie Renwick and David Carry. Renwick, now coached by Eileen Adams at City of Glasgow, took the honours with a time of 3:50.32. But with the top two set to be selected for the European Championships, Carry, the reigning Commonwealth Games Champion, was delighted with his silver in 3:50.55. It was one of the best swims for the 28-year-old since he moved to Stockport Metro after the last Olympics.

"When I joined Stockport we had a two year plan," said the two-time Olympian. "There is a great team headed by coach Sean Kelly and the whole atmosphere is a real inspiration. I've been training really hard and I want to be in contention for medals this summer, both at the European Championships and then for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October. After that, the goal will be the London 2012 Olympics."

Renwick trailed Carry at halfway, but took the lead at the three-quarter mark and held off a late surge by his older rival. It was a great win for the 21-year-old whose main event is the 200m freestyle, the distance over which he reached the Beijing final.

Adlington, who had a tough 2009 amid all the post-Beijing euphoria, was thrilled by her 200m freestyle victory and her first-ever qualification for the Commonwealth Games after missing out in 2006 due to glandular fever. Her Olympic golds came in the 400m and 800m.

"I'm really pleased with the time and my performance," said the 20-year-old. "It's always tough when you come out for the first swim. But I'd love to do the 4x200m freestyle at the Europeans. We have such a great team."

Scot Caitlin McClatchey, a regular in the British team for the past five years, was just squeezed out by Miley for the fourth place. She clocked 2:00.13.