Diving: Waterfield makes splash as Daley has rare failure

Pete Waterfield produced a shock when he relegated world champion Tom Daley into second place in the 10-metre platform at the British Gas National Cup in Sheffield yesterday.

Daley was making his first appearance since claiming the world title in Rome last summer and the focus in the build-up to the Ponds Forge meet was on the 15-year-old and his new dive, "the Twister". However, 2004 Olympic silver medallist Waterfield produced a series of superb dives and earned seven perfect 10s en route to a clear victory with 523.65 points – 40 ahead of the Plymouth teenager.

Daley was clearly frustrated with himself after over-rotating on his fourth dive when he was awarded sixes by the judge as he failed to win a national competition for the first time since 2006. He said: "I'm going to be disappointed with second place but I guess it has to happen some time and I'm glad it's at a nationals rather than an international competition. I'm sure the world champion is meant to win the British Championships but that is why diving is an on-the-day sport."

For Waterfield it was a welcome return to the platform competition, his first since Beijing. As well as his 2004 Olympic silver with Leon Taylor in the 10-metre synchro, the 28-year-old has collected world medals and a Commonwealth title.