ENGLAND CELEBRATE SIX-MEDAL SUCCESS IN THE POOL
England's swimmers continued to challenge the Australians
for the medals as they collected two gold and four silver
on the penultimate night of competition in the pool.
Chris Cook (City Of Newcastle) picked up his second gold
of the Games with victory in the 50m Breaststroke. The 26-year-old
beat off England team mates Darren Mew (University of Bath)
and James Gibson (Loughborough University) to take the title
in 28.01. Cook's double title means coach Ian Oliver has now
coached athletes to six medals from three Commonwealth Games.
"That was so close but to get that second gold, I really
didn't think I could win that," said a shocked Cook.
"I wanted to enjoy it and do the best I could and I wasn't
sure who had it won. I just knew I had to keep it going to
the wall. I'm so happy."
Mew, who missed out on a podium finish in yesterday's 100m
event, came back to take silver in 28.07. Australian Brenton
Rickard denied England the one-two-three they were hoping
for and pushed Gibson back to fourth position in 28.18.
Liam Tancock (Loughborough University), collected the gold
he was denied my team mate Matthew Clay over 50m earlier this
week in style by setting a new Games and British Record of
54.53 to take the top spot in the 100m Backstroke.
"The 50m didn't go to plan, but that 100m was brilliant,"
said a delighted Tancock. "To PB and set a British Record
and Games Record - I couldn't ask for more. I've trained every
day for years for this moment so I'm really pleased.
"For the last couple of years I've been practising the
100m as the 50m isn't an Olympic event. Training for the 100m
has been going well, I've been lowering my times and now I'm
Commonwealth Champion, it's great."
Matthew Welsh of Australia won silver in 54.82 and Scotland's
Gregor Tait took bronze in 54.89. 50m Champion Clay (Swansea)
was just outside the medals in fourth in another personal
best of 54.97.
Melanie Marshall (Loughborough University) boosted her personal
tally in the pool with silver in the 200m Backstroke. Her
decision to withdraw from the 100m Freestyle to concentrate
on the backstroke events paid off as she powered into second
position in a massive personal best of 2:10.87.
England's silver medallist in 2002 Jo Fargus swam a Games
Record of 2:10.36 for gold, but this time for her new home
of Australia. Katy Sexton (Portsmouth Northsea) finished eighth
in 2:15.91 and was unable to improve her placing in the 50m
sprint event where she finished eighth in 30.05.
Marshall collected her second silver of the night in the
4x100m Freestyle alongside Ros Brett, Amy Smith (both Loughborough
University) and Fran Halsall (City of Liverpool) who swam
an exciting race to finished just ahead of Canada in 3:42.65.
Australia, who were chasing the World Record, were impossible
to beat and took gold in a Games Record time of 3:36.69.
The 400m Freestyle proved a real battle for the podium spots
as England's Jo Jackson (Durham Aquatics), Scotland's Caitlin
McClatchey and Bronte Barratt of Australia fought neck and
neck over the full eight lengths.
It was down to the final 50m where the British contingent
made a break from the Australian and McClatchey took the lead
to touch first in 4:07.69 ahead of Jackson who won silver
in 4:08.36. England's Rebecca Cooke was unable to defend her
title and finished seventh in 4:15.61.
"I knew Caitlin would be really strong over the second
half and she's swimming so well at the moment," said
Jackson. "I was pleased to be in there tonight and to
win silver, I'm delighted.
"The Australians are swimming well but we're here to
push them and the Brits are doing just brilliantly."
Mark Foster (University of Bath) has qualified for final
of the 50m Freestyle in the last Games of his 21-year career.
The 35-year-old came back from a slow start to go through
fifth in 22.61. Chris Cozens (Loughborough University) failed
to qualify and finished eleventh in 23.17.
"When I was in The States I covered a lot more distance
in training than before," explained Foster. "I concentrated
on short, sharp sprints and repetition rather than just working
on the starts as I'd done in England and I think that's made
a difference to my back-end speed. I just need to get the
front end working tomorrow night.
"I was a lot more nervous coming out today than for
the butterfly. This morning felt fast but I got the nerves
again this afternoon - you wouldn't think I would get them
any more. It's good to see Schoeman (South Africa) not on
form. It means it's anyone's race in the final."
Matt Bowe (Loughborough University) finished seventh in the
final of the 100m Butterfly in a lifetime best of 53.64 and
after winning bronze earlier this week over 50m, Matt Walker
(Marple) was unable to repeat the performance and finished
fifth in 1:03.71.
Home Nations
In the 100m Breaststroke, Kirsty Balfour of Scotland became
the first Brit to dip below 1:08 and set a new British Record
of 1:07.83 to win bronze and team mate Gregor Tait collected
his second medal of the night as he swam to gold in the 200m
Individual Medley in a new British Record of 2:00.73.
Wales picked up their second medal in the pool courtesy of
David Roberts (S9) who finished third the 100m EAD Freestyle
in 1:01.85.
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