TONIA COUCH was dramatically pipped to the British Diving women's platform title by former Plymouth Diving team-mate Sarah Barrow.

In a see-saw contest at Ponds Forge in Sheffield on Saturday, Couch led for most of the way before Barrow scored heavily with her final dive to clinch the championship.

Barrow, now with City of Leeds, registered 73.60 in the final round to eclipse Couch, who finished second, to the gold medal by 1.7 points.

Meanwhile, Couch's Plymouth Diving team-mate Brooke Graddon was back in fifth.

Barrow has returned from injury this season and took gold with 325.95 points and said: "That was exciting. I knew what points I needed after Tonia dived, and it put the pressure on me, but I responded well under pressure.

"It was good to put in another consistent list and that was the aim. I have spent a lot of time away this season at events in Russia, China and the US, and it is giving me an improved level of consistency.

"I missed last season with a back injury but I have done a lot of work to put that right and now I am beginning to see the results. My aim now is to compete at both the Europeans and Commonwealths."

Couch won the silver with a total score of 324.25. Monique Gladding (City of Sheffield) took bronze with 320.85.

Meanwhile on Friday, the women's 10m platform synchro competition was tight, but after a strong final dive Couch and Barrow took the gold.

The pair led going into the final round and with a good back 2½ somersaults 1½ twists piked they took the victory, scoring 307.32 overall.

"It was really exciting to dive that well," Couch said. "It is only our second competition together and to dive so well and get such a high score is great for the future.

"I am looking towards the Commonwealths. I know we will push as hard as we can towards the medals. I had a great performance at the World Cup and Sarah and I have been diving well together, but this has been a good step forward towards Delhi."

Barrow added: "That performance with Tonia has shown that I am on the road back to my best. We wanted to go over 300 – that was our main goal. We showed consistency throughout, but there is always more work to do. We can always work on our entries."

Megan Sylvester and Monique Gladding won the silver with a score of 299.52. Helen and Carol Galashan won bronze in 278.79.

Results: Women's Platform: 1 Sarah Barrow (Leeds) 325.95pts, 2 Tonia Couch (Plymouth) 324.25, 3 Monique Gladding (Sheffield) 320.85, 4 Helen Galashan (Leeds) 300.00, 5 Brooke Graddon (Plymouth) 290.60, 6 Jenny Cowen (Leeds) 260.90, 7 Rosie Medlock (Southampton) 255.40, 8 Bethany Watts (Southampton) 187.00

Women's Platform Synchro: 1 Sarah Barrow and Tonia Couch (Leeds and Plymouth) 307.32pts, 2 Monique Gladding and Megan Sylvester (Sheffield) 299.52, 3 Carol Galashan and Helen Galashan (Leeds) 278.79