Bermuda's swim relay quartet of Graham Smith, Ronald Cowen, Roy Allan Burch and Michael O'Connor went close, but not close enough in their bid to qualify for the Commonwealth Games last night.

While they failed to make the mark for next month's Games the foursome did set a new national record during the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association's national championships at BASA Pool.

Smith, Cowen and Burch have all met the qualifying time for their respective individual events but BASA was hoping to qualify a team in the 4x100 metre relay.

Needing a time of 3.55.63 to qualify, the four, roared on by fellow swimmers and spectators, set off with Cowen on the backstroke. Smith then swam breaststroke, O'Connor the butterfly and Burch freestyle.

But try as they might they could not make the time, coming in at 4.00.25.

National swimming coach Richard Godwin declared himself happy with the performance, despite the fact that the goal was not achieved.

"I was very pleased with both Ronald and Roy's time, they hit the target I had in mind for them," he said.

"Michael O'Connor swam very, very well for the first 50 metres but had a little difficulty on the second one.

"I think Graham is not rested as much as he should be. He probably needed to be at least two or three seconds quicker."

Godwin said the foursome could try to make the time as often as they wanted and he said they could still qualify before the championships were over.

"In the course of the weekend we may try another attempt. But that relies on all four gentlemen concurring that they want to do it," said Godwin.

Smith, who has flown home from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia along with fellow Commonwealth qualifier Kiera Aitken for this weekend's event, said the fates had been against them.

"We had a couple of bad things happen," said Smith. "If we do it again I am pretty sure we can make it.

"I was kind of off with my stroke in the breaststroke. I think it's one of those strokes that's either there or it's not.

"Michael's goggles unfortunately came off too, so there were a few things that weren't in our favour."

However, he said he would be happy to give it another go.

"I am pretty happy (to try again)," he said. "That's basically why I came back."

Next weekend is the deadline for qualifying for Bermuda's Commonwealth hopefuls, with the team expected to be announced around June 19.

And Godwin said he believed that there may be a few other names to add to the current squad which also includes diver Katura Horton-Perinchief.

"I think Michael O'Connor might give it a good shot in the 100 metre 'fly and maybe the 50 metre 'fly as well," he said. "And there are other people who are making the effort in this final attempt."