SALISBURY swimmer Phil Muspratt battled illness last weekend to snatch a bronze medal at the City of Sheffield Premier Open.

The level 1 competition attracted some of the best swimmers in the country and due to his illness Muspratt decided to skip the 100m freestyle to focus on the 50m.

The decision was justified after sneaking into the final with the tenth best time he produced a fine performance to claim the bronze medal.

"I am pleased with how I swam today, I'm far from 100 per cent and I managed to medal at a level 1 open meet. I really upped my game in the final in a tough field."

Muspratt will next be in action this weekend along with Rob Langan in the British Masters Swimming Championships.

The event, also held at the Ponds Forge International Pool in Sheffield, is one of the biggest events on the national calendar and attracts hundreds of swimmers.

Langan, after his three gold medals at the Welsh Masters National Championships, will be hoping to repeat his success on the big stage. He will be competing in his three main events; the 200m, 100m and 50m backstroke.

"I have chosen to focus on these events as they'll be my target events at the European Masters Championships in London. I want to simulate what the Euros will bring so that I can prepare myself as best as I can." Langan said.

Jones & Co sponsored Muspratt will compete in five events, one more this his usual four at a major competition.

"I've entered the 100m and 50m backstroke as well as the 200m, 100m & 50m freestyle," he said. "My focus as always will be on the 50m and 100m freestyle, but I want to get as many races in as I can. Even though this is the British Championships it is just race practise to me. When I got back in the pool last May I said it'll be 12 to 18 months before I am back up to speed to where I was and that's still the case."