Barbados on Thursday when Jessica Sousa took silver in the girls' 100-metre backstroke.

There was in fact, a double celebration for Sousa, who had first set a new national record in the morning heats.

Kiera Aitken also turned in an impressive performance in the final of the 13-14 200m freestyle.

But there was disappointment for the boys' 15-17 4 x 100m freestyle relay team, which finished in the bronze medal position only to be disqualified on a relay takeover.

The team of Andrew Shaw, Stephen Troake, Matthew Hammond and Graham Smith had clocked a time of 3:48.64 before they were told their result would not stand.

Sousa's good day began with a fine swim in the heats which also gave her a qualifying time for the CAC Games in Venezuela. In the final she stroked to a time of 1:11.92 to take second place.

Aitken's time of 2:20.91 in her event, meanwhile, also established a new age group record and earned her a seventh place finish. Her good form continued in the 50m freestyle where she made her fourth final, again with a new age group best of 28.71, beating Tamika Williams' effort in the Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics in July 1993.

Seven swimmers in all were set to compete in eight of last night's finals.

Among them were two making finals for the first time in the competition.

Michael O'Connor qualified with a time of 2:34.69 in the heats of the boys' 13-14 200m backstroke while Roy Allan-Burch clocked 28.57 to contest the boys' 11-12 50m final.

Graham Smith, meanwhile, was back in the water contesting the boys' 15-17 200m individual medley, Stephen Fahy was in both the 200m individual medley and 50m freestyle in the 18-21 age group, while Ashley Aitken, a 100m breaststroke medallist, was competing in the girls' 11-12 50m freestyle.

Tamika Williams was aiming for success in the girls' 18-21 50m freestyle.

Team manager Colleen Nelson said they were hopeful of adding to their medals haul. "It's been a long, hot, tiring week,'' she said, "but one full of great swims. Coach Gareth Davies is delighted with the performances which have exceeded expectations and resulted in personal bests for most.''