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Twelve New Zealand swimmers qualified for the fourth night of finals at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne today.

Last night’s bronze medalists Cameron Gibson and relay swimmer Alison Fitch qualified for tonight’s semifinals in the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle respectively.

The only Kiwi finalist tonight will be Dean Kent in the 400m individual medley, after qualifying third fastest in this morning’s semifinals in a slick 4:22.75. He led through butterfly and backstroke legs before easing back to be content with second place in his heat.

``It was pleasing today. I wanted a good solid swim especially in the butterfly and backstroke to get a good lane for the finals. After that it was a case of not giving too much away. Tonight I will be giving it everything.’’

Other Kiwis to earn spots in tonight’s semifinals include Glenn Snyders, eighth fastest in the 50m breaststroke, Hannah McLean and Liz Coster who were fourth and fifth quickest in the 50m backstroke and Annabelle Carey who was 13^th qualifier in the 100m breaststroke. Gold medalist Moss Burmester was joined by Corney Swanepoel and Andrew McMillan to be fifth, sixth and 14^th fastest for the semifinals of the 100m butterfly while Scott Talbot-Cameron joined Gibson as a qualifier from the 100m backstroke. Fitch was sixth fastest and was joined by Nichola Chellingworth 10^th quickest for the 50m freestyle.

McLean was pleased to be back in action today after last night’s disappointment in the 200m backstroke.

``I felt quite relaxed out there. It was great to be back competing and not dwell on what has happened,’’ McLean said. ``I swam it the way I wanted and I did not want to go crazy.’’

It was back to business for Burmester who clocked 53.88 to be fastest of the New Zealanders in the 100m butterfly.

``We all wanted to do enough to get through to the semifinals. In my case I am probably a bit less stressed now after the 200m butterfly,’’ Burmester said. ``but it’s been important for me to shut out what has happened. I am taking all the pluses from it but I need to concentrate on the job ahead of me, not what has gone.’’

Fitch set a personal best 26.11s to top the Kiwis in the 50m freestyle, which is not her favourite event.

``I find it hard. It’s definitely not my favourite,’’ Fitch said. ``So it was pleasing to have such a good time. I felt quite relaxed out there and I was a bit surprised that I swam so fast.’’

Gibson was also pleased with her performance although tired after his exploits in winning bronze in the 200m backstroke last night.

``It was late before you get back after warm-downs and drug testing and the drive back to the village. I took a sleeping pill to help me get some sleep because Moss said he got none after his medal. I still felt quite tired this morning and that makes today’s semi more pleasing.’’

Day 4 heat results – qualifying position in brackets:

50m breaststroke: Glenn Snyders 29.21 (8^th qualifier)

50m backstroke: Hannah McLean 29.36 (4th), Liz Coster 29.70 (5th).

100m breaststroke: Annabelle Carey 1:14.48 (13^th)

100m butterfly: Moss Burmester 53.88 (5^th), Corney Swanepoel 53.94 (6^th), Andrew McMillan 56.01 (14^th).

100m backstroke: Scott Talbot-Cameron 57.38 (10^th), Cameron Gibson 58.65 (13^th).

50m freestyle: Alison Fitch 26.11 (6^th), Nichola Chellingworth 26.36 (10^th).; Georgina Toomey 27.46 (=18 – missed qualifying)

400m individual medley: Dean Kent 4:22.74 (3^rd).