Thomas takes title

Petria Thomas set the standard from the off

By Charlie Henderson BBC Sport Online in Manchester

Womens' 50m butterfly result

Petria Thomas has made up for the dissapointment of bronze in the 200m freestyle with her first medal in Manchester in the 50m butterfly.

The Australian, world champion at both 100m and 200m, stormed to victory in a new Commonwealth record of 26.66 seconds.

The over-whelming pre-race favourite touched home ahead of her compatriot Nicole Irving and Scotland's Alison Sheppard.

"I'm really happy with the performance," said Thomas who has now won five Commonwealth titles since 1994.

"Commonwealth gold and a personal best at the same time - that's not bad work."

Sheppard's bronze was reward for all the work she put in to an event she only started racing last year.

"I'm really pleased because it's my first individual butterfly medal and it's a bonus," Sheppard said.

"It certainly takes the pressure off as I look ahead to the 50m freestyle on Saturday."