Burnett hits top gear to capture 50m title on final day in Sheffield

From Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat, in Sheffield

COMMONWEALTH champion Simon Burnett finally hit top gear to lift the 50m freestyle title on the last day of the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield.

BACK ON TOP: Commonwealth 100m freestyle champion makes up for his fourth in the 100m by capturing the 50m freestyle title in Sheffield (Getty Images)

The 26-year old impressed in the 100m freestyle qualifying earlier in the week but failed to compete in the final, finishing an agonising fourth in 50.03 seconds with defending champion Adam Brown romping to victory.

But Burnett turned the tables on Philadelphia-based Brown over the shorter distance, blitzing to victory in a season's best 22.53 seconds to collect his first national title for six years.

Defending champion Brown was left to settle for silver while Grant Turner added to his 100m silver with bronze. Burnett admitted victory was the perfect antidote to his frustrating 100m result.

"I am actually really happy with this meet and even if it wasn't a Commonwealth Games meet I'd be really, really happy with it," said Burnett, who is the British 100m freestyle record holder.

"I'm happy that I dealt with the disappointment after the 100m, I said about five words for the rest of the night.

"So to be able to come back and show I really want it and compete at this level is brilliant."

Meanwhile, 100m breaststroke silver medallist Michael Jamieson clawed in Robert Webb in the closing 25m to capture his first British title in the 200m breaststroke.

The Scot touched home in 2:11.14 minutes - the third fastest time in the world this season - to seal his selection in the European squad while Webb finished 0.38 secs back in silver and compatriot Kris Gilchrist another 0.08 back in bronze.

But while victory was Jamieson's first British title, he admitted his initial reaction had been a negative one.

"Typical me. I was disappointed at my first British title, but I've been in the line-up a few times so to be on top was great," said Jamieson.

"It was a personal best but I know I can go quicker than that, so I was a little annoyed.

"But it is brilliant to have myself and Kris up the top of the podium again - it's always good to see a couple of Scots up there."

Finally, Daniel Fogg brought the curtain down on the Championships with victory in the lung-busting 1500m freestyle.

The 22-year old struck bronze 12 months ago but without British champion David Davies in the field, the door was open for Fogg to step up to the top of the podium.

And the Loughborough based swimmer did so in style, dropping nearest rival Thomas Allen at the half way point before finishing in 15:18.73 mins.

17-year old Allen held on for silver in 15:32.35 mins while 14-year old local swimmer Matthew Johnson took bronze in a lifetime best 15:36.11 mins to the delight of the Sheffield crowd.

AS IT HAPPENS: Day six from the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield

The nation's leading energy supplier British Gas is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, and have pledged £15m to support the sport at all levels - from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming