Canada's Brown wins 200m breaststroke

MELBOURNE, Mar 21 (Reuters) Michael Brown won the men's 200 metres breaststroke final to provide Canada with their first gold medal in swimming at the 18th Commonwealth Games today.

Brown got his hands on the wall first to snatch the gold by the narrowest-possible margin in a time of two minutes 12.23 seconds.

Australia's Brenton Rickard finished second in 2:12.24, just 0.01 behind the winner, with another Australian, Jim Piper, third in 2:12.26.

Brown swam a superb tactical race and the only time he was in front was right at the finish. Rickard led after 50m but Piper, who was disqualified from the 100m semi-finals four days ago for an illegal dolphin kick, looked to have the race at his mercy when he led at halfway and again when they turned for home.

REUTERS PM SSC1429