HISTORIC NIGHT IN THE POOL FOR TEAM ENGLAND
England's Becky Cooke became only the second swimmer in history
to defend an 800m Freestyle Commonwealth title as she joined
Simon Burnett at the top of the podium on day four of the
Games.
Cooke (City of Glasgow) was unable to make her trademark
early break but forged ahead at the 300m mark and managed
to keep Australian Melissa Gorman at bay to take the title
in 8:29.50. Kerri-Anne Payne of Stockport Metro was just outside
the medals and finished fourth in 8:38.24.
"I knew it was really close at the beginning so I couldn't
get my usual lead and had to wait until 300m. I just had to
keep my composure," said Cooke.
"I'm quite emotional. I think it's more of a pleasurable
feeling than my first title four years ago. I have a hard
couple of years so I'm just so happy.
"My coach Steve Hill has been coaching me since I was
12-years-old and I followed him up to Glasgow three years
ago, which is quite a way from home. But it's worked and I'm
really happy with my performance tonight."
Burnett (Wycombe) beat his South African training partners
to win his first individual gold of the Games in the 100m
Freestyle, and become the first Brit ever to do so. Burnett,
who trains alongside Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling in
America, dominated the second length of the race to set a
new British and Games Record and touch clear in 48.57. Neethling
won silver in 49.20 and Schoeman took bronze in 49.24.
"I knew Roland had a tight window and he likes to take
it out," explained Burnett. "I knew if I could stay
near him I could come back well.
"That hurt. It was a tough race. I really wanted to
go under 48.5, but I got that individual gold, so I'm delighted."
Burnett praised team England who have allowed him to return
to America to compete for his University, when his South African
counterparts have not been give the same approval.
"I'm going back to The States tomorrow as my University
has its National Championships this week, he said. "Team
England have been great and really supportive. They respect
my responsibilities to my university and have let me go."
In the 100m Butterfly, Terry Dunning (City of Birmingham)
swam below the minute-mark for the third time in Melbourne,
but couldn't beat the Aussies in a fast race that saw the
Games Record fall to gold medallist Jessicah Schipper. Dunning
touched home in fifth place in 59.34.
England's Breaststroke trio of Darren Mew (University of
Bath), James Gibson (Loughborough University) and Chris Cook
(City of Newcastle) will be looking to fill all three podium
spots tomorrow night after qualifying for the final of the
50m event. Mew qualified second fastest in 28.14, behind Brenton
Rickard of Australia who touched home in 28.13.
"It's not going to be easy tomorrow," admitted
Mew. "But hopefully, we've all got a bit more in the
tank and can go for the one, two, three."
"It felt great going into that after last night,"
added Cook, who won gold over 100m yesterday. "I Just
relaxed and enjoyed it and it was really fun."
In the 100m Backstroke, sprinter Liam Tancock (Loughborough
University) was just off the British record to qualify second
fastest for the final in 54.92. England team mate Matt Clay
(Swansea) has also made it through with a lifetime best of
55.59.
"I'm very pleased with that swim," said Tancock.
It all went alright and I hope there's a little for left in
the tank for tomorrow, I might even have a go at that British
Record."
Kate Haywood (Loughborough University) has qualified for
the 100m Breaststroke finals in sixth position in 1:09.28
and will face a tough test tomorrow with Australians qualifying
in the top three spots.
"I worked it quite hard and didn't go the time I wanted,
but it's enough to get me through," she said. "I
need to keep it controlled and stay relaxed for tomorrow's
final. I think I tried to rush the last 25m tonight to catch
up with Jade."
Katy Sexton has sneaked into the final of the 50m Backstroke
after qualifying in eighth position in 30.12 and Matt Bowe
(Loughborough University) is sixth fastest through to tomorrow's
100m Butterfly final in a lifetime best of 53.53.
England's Fran Halsall and Amy Smith couldn't progress past
the 50m Freestyle semis and finished eleventh and twelfth
in 26.34 and 26.44 respectively,
Scotland were also celebrating tonight after sealing an exciting
one-two in the 400m Individual Medley, forcing Australian
Travis Nederpelt to bronze. For David Carry it was his second
individual gold in the pool as he took charge on the freestyle
leg to touch home in a new Games and British Record of 4:15.98.
Loughborough training partner Euan Dale won silver in 4:17.15.
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