Waterfield and Mears off to a winning start

FORMER Olympic silver medallist Peter Waterfield and Southamton team-mate Chris Mears secured the men's 3m synchro title on the opening day of diving's British Gas National Cup in Sheffield.

STRONG START: Peter Waterfield combined with Chris Mears to secure his first title of 2010 at the British Gas National Cup (Getty Images)

The pair edged Callum Johnstone and Ashton Hall into second with a points score of 350.07, while Oliver Dingley and Jack Laugher took third.

"This was our first competition together and although we have performed the list better, we are happy to have won," said Mears.

"We train together and we are looking to continue the partnership through 2010.

"It is really good to be back competing and to be alongside someone like Pete is great.

"He always gives me tips on how to improve. It is a great experience to be up there next to an Olympic silver medallist."

Nick Robinson-Baker won his first individual title for almost two years in the men's 1m individual final, beating Sheffield club-mate's Tom Owens and Johnstone.

Victory was a major boost for Robinson-Baker, following the news that synchro partner Ben Swain will miss the 2010 season through injury.

"This is my first individual title in one and a half years and it feels fantastic," he said, after his winning 376.90 points score.

"It is good to know that I can perform on my own and not just when I have my synchro partner next to me.

"My prelim wasn't great but I just knew I had to get through to the final. My performance in the final was much better and I'm happy with how I performed."

Alicia Blagg, just 13, took a surprise victory in the women's 1m individual when she beat Hayley Sage, a member of Great Britain's diving team at the 2008 Olympic Games.

"I went into the event wanting to enjoy it and have fun and I did," she said, after claiming her first senior title.

"I finished first this morning and that made me a little nervous for the final but I spent the break trying to relax."

Rebecca Gallantree and Stacie Powell's new partnership got off to a winning start as they claimed the women's 10m synchro.

"The last time I competed in the 10m synchro was in 2006 and it was good to compete in it again," said Gallantree. 

"We started training back in September and it was great to use our list at a national competition.

"I think our synchro was good but I think we could have scored better. We are a new pairing and we are hopeful for the future of the partnership."