SOUTHAMPTON diver Pete Waterfield has become the first diver to ever score maximum points with one of his dives ...in an event he still only finished second in!

The 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medallist was competing in the Men's Platform event at the British National Championships in Manchester at the weekend.

Waterfield, who competes for the Southampton Diving Academy at The Quays, scored a record-breaking 102 points - maximum marks from all seven judges -with one of his dives.

But he still didn't win the event as Synchro partner Leon Taylor took gold by breaking his own personal best score by nearly 30 points to win with 719.75.

But his performance was still good enough to book his place in the World Championships in Barcelona next month.

Waterfield said he was "absolutely delighted" about his maximum and added: "I don't even mind coming second because that dive was very pleasing and I have also qualified for the Worlds."

Indeed, Waterfield joined his fellow international Taylor on the teamsheet for this July's championships and at the same time made up for the disappointment of not qualifying for Mens 3m event on the opening day of competition.

Waterfield added: "I came off a big year last year and I've found it hard trying to find the same type of form.

"But if we (him and Taylor) go to the World Championships in this type of form we will be a match for anyone."

There was also more good news for Taylor and Waterfield in the Men's Platform Synchro final as they took the title with 374.19 points, beating Blake Aldridge and Gareth Jones.

It was another British record as the pair beat their previous record of 355 points at competitive level.

Waterfield's tournament had started with him finishing fourth in the Men's 3m final.

He failed to defend his title when he messed up one of his dives and finished with 554.55 points to miss out on the medals.

But the Southampton man finished his Manchester visit in style yesterday when he took gold in the Men's 1m final.

Waterfield won comfortably with 33,687 points to win from City of Sheffield's Aldridge, who had 31,005 points.

Waterfield now progresses to Barcelona, which will be his first of two chances of qualifying for the Olympics in Athens in 15 months time.

Divers finishing in the top 12 in Barcelona will qualify their country in their event, while those competing in the synchronised events will have to finish in the top eight to qualify.

Should Waterfield fail to reach those standards, his second and final chance to qualify for Greece will take place at the FINA World Cup in Athens in February.