Six-shooter Lenton sunk by Schipper

MELBOURNE, Mar 19 (Reuters) Australian Libby Lenton's hopes of winning six gold medals were shattered on the fourth day of the Commonwealth Games swimming competition today.

World champion Jessicah Schipper overpowered her compatriot to win gold in the women's 100 metres butterfly, clocking a Games record of 57.48 seconds with Lenton touching in 57.80.

England's Simon Burnett upset favourites Ryk Neethling and Roland Schoeman to win the men's 100m freestyle in a new Games best of 48.57 after taking silver in the 200m.

Schipper never trailed Lenton, whose dreams of winning a record seven Commonwealth golds were ended by Scotland's Caitlin McClatchey in the 200m freestyle on the opening night.

''It's amazing,'' Schipper told reporters after bringing the hosts their ninth swimming gold on the fourth day of competition.

''I always wanted to be a 'Madam Butterfly'. I can't believe it.'' Burnett, who trains with Schoeman in Arizona, produced a superb second 50m to reel in the South Africans, Neethling taking silver in 49.20 and Schoeman bronze in 49.24.

''I was disappointed with my 200m,'' Burnett, who won relay gold in yesterday's 4x200m freestyle. ''The relay last night was amazing but I got the individual gold I was dreaming of.'' Burnett credited Schoeman for his rapid development after winning England's fifth swimming gold.

''Roland's been great,'' said the 22-year-old Burnett. ''He's helped me so much in the last year. He's almost been instrumental in helping me tweak my stroke. I owe a lot to him.'' Scotland's David Carry won his second gold medal and his nation's fourth, by surging to the men's 400m individual medley title.

Carry, who won the 400m freestyle on day one, powered back from fourth over the final 100m of freestyle to finish in a Games record of 4:15.98 with team mate Euan Dale second in 4:17.15.

Rebecca Cooke retained the women's 800m freestyle title she won in Manchester four years ago, clocking 8:29.50 to give England a sixth gold medal.

Reuters DH GC1602