A talented swimmer from North Watford has reached a final in his first event at European championship level.

Ollie Taverner finished eighth in the 50m breaststroke at the European Junior Championships in a time of 28.46.

This was just 100th of a second outside the 18-year-old’s time in his heat on Friday, which saw Taverner qualify equal sixth fastest for the final in Kazan, Russia.

Teammate Archie Goodburn finished second in the final in a lifetime best of 27.89, with Russian Vladislav Gerasimenko securing gold and defending the title he won last year.

The Mount Kelly School student was selected for his first appearance at an established international event following an impressive performance at the British championships in April, the pinnacle being qualifying for the men’s 50m breastroke final after setting a personal best of 28.34.

Taverner was back in the pool yesterday but was unable to progress in the 100m breaststroke, finishing seventh in the fourth of five heats in 1.04.30.