Advertisement

Dolphins seal win in the pool

Dolphins seal win in the pool

The Australians withstood a strong challenge from Team USA to claim another team victory - and the $250,000 prize money - at the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series at HBF Stadium tonight.

Australia had a 34-point lead going into night two and managed to hold on against the Americans, who performed strongly tonight and walked away with the $110,000 second prize in their event debut.

The final points tallies were Australia (626), the US (586) Japan (548) and China (520).

And shoulder surgery has not stopped Cate Campbell from continuing her dominance at the event, as the world champion took out the 100m freestyle last night and was named female swimmer of the meet.

Japanese star backstroker Ryosuke Irie took out male swimmer of the event Campbell followed her 50m freestyle win from last night with victory in the 100 in a solid time of 53.13sec., just ahead of sister Bronte (53.14).

It is a great sign for the elder Campbell, who believes she is only swimming at between 70 and 80 per cent after shoulder surgery in September.

“I’m reasonably happy,” she said.

“It probably wasn’t the best race I’ve put together in my life, but I got some points for Australia so that’s all that counts.”

She wasn’t surprised she had just touched Bronte out on the wall.

“I’ve seen first-hand the kind of stuff she’s putting together at training,” she said.

“I knew it was going to be incredibly tough, and to be perfectly honest, I didn’t expect to get there.

“It’s really encouraging. “It’s also fantastic to get out there and have good swims.”

James Magnussen’s unbeaten run at the event was then ended by American Josh Schneider, who took out the 50m freestyle in 22.38.

Cameron McEvoy was third behind Magnussen, who blamed his poor time on a delay in the starter gun going off.

“That was pretty bad,” Magnussen said.

“They held that start for about an hour and a half so I didn’t get off to a cracker.

“I don’t think that’s a good indication of where I’m at.

“I think it would have thrown everyone though.

“The whole race was pretty slow because of it.”

Night two opened with the men’s 200m freestyle, but McEvoy had to play second fiddle to Japan’s Daiya Seto.

Fellow Australian Thomas Fraser-Holmes finished fourth ahead of 11-times Olympic medallist Ryan Lochte.

Emily Seebohm showed her class in the 100m backstroke with a quick 58.89 swim to take the comfortable victory ahead of Madi Wilson.

WA’s Tommaso D’Orsogna finished third in the 100m butterfly behind Tim Phillips (US) and Australian teammate Jayden Hadler.

Japan’s Seto continued his dominant form with a win in the 200m individual medley, ahead of Lochte.

Jessica Ashwood and Bronte Barratt took second and third behind Chin’a Yuhan Zhang in the 400 freestyle.

Japan's Irie made it two from two over rising Australian Mitch Larkin when he took the win in the 200m backstroke.

Exciting teenager Mack Horton left his rivals in his wake as he took out the 1500m freestyle in a sub 15-minute time, with teammate David McKeon third.

A strong finish from Keryn McMaster gave Australia maximum points in a tight 400 individual medley.

The Americans upset a Magnussen-led Australia in the men’s 50m freestyle relay, but the Australian women hit back in the 50m medley relay with the A and B teams taking first and second respectively ahead of the US.

Earlier London Olympian Johnno Cotterill scored four goals as the Aussie Sharks, scored a comprehensive 14-5 victory over the US in men’s water polo action.