Bermuda?s swimmers have had mixed results on the opening two days of the World Championships in Montreal.

As expected, none of the local squad have so far progressed through to the semi-finals in an event which has attracted the elite of world swimming.

But Ronald Cowen made his mark in the 200 metres freestyle yesterday morning when he finished second in the fourth heat, clocking one minute, 57.53 seconds to place just behind Uzbekistan?s Petr Vasilev (1:54.46).

In the women?s 100 metres backstroke Kiera Aitken placed fourth in heat five in a time of 1:05.18, more than two seconds behind winner Melissa Ingram of New Zealand (1:03.41).

Graham Smith had to settle for sixth in the fourth heat of the men?s 100 metres breaststroke as he was timed in 1:08.51, three seconds adrift of first-placed Tianyi Han of China (1:05.92).

Heat eight of the men?s 50 metres butterfly saw Bermuda?s Michael O?Connor place seventh in 25.84 while in the third heat of the women?s 100 metres butterfly Ashley Aitken was eighth in 1:06.32.

Netball girls

beaten twice

Bermuda have endured a poor start to the World Under-21 Netball Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Island team went down 45-33 to the USA in their opening game last Thursday before being annihilated 98-6 by Jamaica the following day.

In their fixture against the Americans, Bermuda were up 9-8 at the end of the first quarter but were then behind 20-16 at the half. At the three-quarter stage, the USA had extended their advantage to 36-23.

Bermuda were held to one point in the first quarter of their game against Jamaica, the latter reeling off 30 points in the first segment. By the half, the powerful Caribbean team had stretched their lead to 50-1 and that became 70-5 by the end of the third quarter.