Swimming: Easy as 1-2-3: England lap up a clean-sweep double

It was a story of one, two and three last night as Manchester played host to one of the most memorable nights in English swimming history. England celebrated their most triumphant Games yet, in a night that yielded a haul of three gold, four silver and four bronze medals.

Last night marked the renaissance of British swimming, a new dawn for the nation that failed to win a single medal at the Sydney Olympics two years ago. The tradition of breaststroke supremacy in England was reaffirmed once again as the home country's representatives scooped all three medals in the 50m breaststroke.

Not since the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland has such a feat been achieved, when Adrian Moorhouse, James Parrack and Nick Gillingham went 1-2-3.

James Gibson was the ecstatic and tearful victor, snatching the gold medal by a mere seven hundredths of a second over team-mates Adam Whitehead and Darren Mew, Gibson clocking 27.72 to win his first major championship title in the closest contest of these Games.

"I'm absolutely delighted to win the gold medal in front of my home crowd," said Gibson. "I was under a lot of pressure, but that was fantastic.

"I don't think I'll experience anything like that ever again. It was the perfect moment, for me, it was such an emotional experience."

Moments later, the feat was repeated in the women's 200m backstroke, where England again stole all three medals. For Sarah Price, it had all gone to plan. These Games were to be the platform where the 23-year-old from Enfield would showcase her immense talent and brush aside her propensity to underachieve at major championships. Last night, it was as much a victory for mind as body as she sealed the 200m backstroke gold in 2.10.58sec, shattering the Games record she had set on Friday, with Jo Fargus and Katy Sexton, who unleashed a remarkable finishing burst over the last 20 metres, taking silver and bronze.

"I'm over the moon with that. I was so nervous, I know how tough these girls are," she said afterwards. "It's unbelievable that we were able to go one-two-three.

"I have so much more confidence in my swimming now. It's all come together perfectly here. It's been a great night for British swimming."

The gold rush continued with Rebecca Cooke carving almost four seconds off her lifetime best to take the 400m freestyle crown, her second gold in as many days. It was a carbon copy of her previous victory as she opened up a lead she would never relinquish, her time of 4:09.49sec leaving her two seconds clear of the field.

"I'm completely ecstatic and overwhelmed by it all," said the Glasgow-based swimmer. "The race didn't feel tough at all, I was always in control. I'm enjoying it so much here. The team have been swimming fantastic, especially tonight."

Scotland secured their first gold medal in the pool since 1974 when the Canadian-based Alison Sheppard stormed to her first major title in the 50m freestyle final. The 29-year- old led from the outset, and fell just short of the Games record she set in the heats, but victory was all that mattered as she touched home in 24.76sec.

"There was so much pressure on me to get gold tonight, but I've achieved it," she said. "I was very nervous, but hugely confident at the same time. You have to take each race separately, but I'm delighted with the gold medal," she said.

Price added to the haul with bronze in the 50m backstroke, while Adrian Turner and James Goddard took silver and bronze in the 200m individual medley. England wrapped up the evening with silver in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay.