WHEN CHAMPIONS MEET.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1047, 9 February 1911, Page 6

WHEN CHAMPIONS MEET.

NEW ZEALAND SWIMMING LAURELS CHAMPION WINS QUARTER MILE. A.BRILLIANT FLYING SQUADBON. Tho second day's racing in connection with the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Championships took place at To Aro Baths yesterday afternoon. A cold southerly wind made things a little unpleasant for tho swimmers, hut was not sufficient to cool their enthusiasm. Tho racing, although not as good as regards times as on tho opening day, was more exciting. The attendance, which numbered about 1000, was souio hundreds below Saturday's total. Tha crack Auck- V land swimmer, Malcolm Champion, again demonstrated his superiority against allcomers by winning the 440 yards championship with e*c. Even without Champion, Auckland would hare carried tho championship, their second-string, Wclson, proving too good for the rest of the field. The northern city has a promising successor to the present champion in distanco events in Welson. C. Brice, winner of tho 100 j yards championship en Saturday, accounted for tho 50 yards scratch race, which attracted most of tho best sprint men in New Zealand. Brice was out in front at 25 yards, and ho eventually won by about two feet, a foot separating Roberts, second, and Bridges, third.THE BEEASTIsTROKE CHAMPIONSHIP. ■ Tho entrants for the 220 yards brcaststroko championship were: C. Atkinson, Canterbury; W. Cookson, Canterbury; W. E, Horton, Auckland; W. B. Jcrrom, Auckland; N. M'Cartney, Napier; and G. L. Bull, Canterbury. A good start was effected, and Atkinson and M'Cartney soon, went to tho front. At tho end of the first 50 yards these two men wcro together, but Atkinson gained on the turn, and at the completion of 100 yards he was leading M'Cartney by 5 feet, Cookson being well up third. Atkinson continued to forge ahead with a powerful stroke, and he was about 3 yards to the good at tho 150 yards turning point. Ho held this lead throughout the rest of the journey. On turning into tho fina.l 20 yards stretch, Cookson, Who had been gradually wearing M'Cartney down, was in second place. He finished about 10 feet behind Atkinson, M'Cartney being third, another yard back.' Jerrom was fourth, Horton filth, and Bull sixth. The standard time, 3min. 30sec, was broken by tho first three men, Atkinson's timo being 3min. 17 4-ssec.; Cookson's, 3rain. 22 3-ssec.; and M'Cartuey's, 3min. 27 3-sscc. . • •

THE 440 YARDS SUPREMACY. Tho starters in tho 440 yards championship were: C. Atkinson (Opawa), M. E. Champion (Auckland),. E. J. Dawson (Dunedin), B. C. Freyberg (Wellington), J. Grant (Hawera), K. Healy (Wellington), A.- Jl'Jlillan (Dunedin), C. H. H. Rich (Canterbury), P.' Schwartz (Canterbury), F. Seymour (Napier), G. Seymour(Napier), and C. Welson (Auckland). After two fals» starts, Freyberg and Welson got away best, but tho end of 50 yards saw Champion and Freyberg in the lead, with Welson close behind.them..' This was still the'order at 100 yards, where Champion and Freyberg turned together, liy the time 150 yards had been negotiated Champion had Frcyberg's full strength, and whilst Freyberg was "all out" Champion took things easily over,the next 50 yards, and even then ho was 4ft.' ahead of the Wellington. man at the 200 yards turn. Welson was going very well at this' stage, but Dawson; gave up. ; At the 300 yards turn Champion had opened up a gap of five or six yards, and* Welson had come up into second place, the Seymours and Healy following, whilst Freyberg and tho others were hopelessly out of it. Champion held his lead without difficulty', and paddled homo a winner from Welson by three yards. Welson swam a fine race and made Jotof.ground in the final 140 yards. He had about .five yards the best of Healy, who finished third, after' having been in the ruck throughout. F. Seymour was fourth; GvSeymour fifth, and Freyberg sixth'.; Tho winner, smin:'sSsec, Welson Gmin.'llsec, Healy *6min. 7 2-ssec, and Seymour Cmin. ISsec, all qualified for standard badges. Champion cut out tho first 100 yards in C9sec.,' the 220 yards in 2min. 45sec:, 250 yards in 3min. 14sec, 300 yards in 3min. 57 3-ssec, 400 in smin. 23 2-ssec, and the'full distance in smin. 58scc, or 3 2-ssec. longer I than the Now Zealand record.' ' :

THE FLYING SQUADRON. , The most exciting event seen in T?ellington for many days was the 500 yards Flying Squadron-Race, in which only' Wellington and the Waitemata cracks competed, the Canterbury team scratching. The first 100 yards was fought out between Roberts (Wellington) and Stewart (Waitemata), the two men swimming neck and neck the whole journey. Freyberg and Purdy entered the water as the first two men touched, the Wellington man being about six feet to the good at the end of the second hundred.' Healy set out on his journey with Freybcrg's lead good, but O'Hare, who chased him on behalf of Waitemata, equalised thinfcs for his side, wearing Healy down and beating him by a few inches. This meant that Stranger. (Wellington) and Welson (Waitemata) left the board at practically the same-time. A great dash over 100 yards, both men swimming beautifully, ended in a dead heat, and then began tho final struggle, which was practically a scratch race of 100 yards between Brice, thp last of the Wellington team, and Champion, Waitemata's last man. Tho excitement was intense as the-two men ploughed through the water at top speed, and it increased when, it was seen that Brice was a vard to the good at the 50yds. turn. In the final • 50yds., Champion made a great effort, and succeeded in cutting down his opponent's lead, but the Wellington man held oh, and.won by inches amidst great .excitement. It was truly a splendid finish, and worthy of the cheers it won. Brice put ud the remarkably fine time of 62 4-ssec. Stranger did his 100 in 655e0., Roberts in 65 2-5 6ec.; Freyberg 66sec. and Healy 68sec..It is safe to say'that no single club in New Zealand could furnish a team such as that entered by the Waitemata Club against the Wellington Province.

'WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIP. In tho third heat of the water polo championship, ' Canterbury' "A" were matched against-Wellington-."B." The visitors pres«d at the outset, Kirkwood, the Wellington goalkeeper, being called' upon to save twice. Two isolated rushes by Wellington both called on Dingle, the Canterbury goalkeeper, but he saved prettily. Canterbury kept up the pressure,, and Atkinson sent in a warm one,which was kept out. He followed with another shot, which went over.the crossbar.. At length, passing'between Kelly, Bridge, and' Wiggins resulted in-tho last-named- ecqring. this,' Canterbury attacked again, 'and' Gemmcll ■ sent a shot over the bar. A good: rush by • Kelly right up the centre was- - followed by a shot, 'which hit: the posts. Canterbury came on once more, and Kirkwood saved a hot shot by Gemmell. Almost immediately Jenkinson made a fine effort for Wellingtons but Dingle saved brilliantly. Half-time sounded with score:—Wellington, 1; Canterbury, 0. .-The ■ second spell opened in favour of the visitors, Kirkwood being called: on to save'a couple of warm shots. One shot by Schwartz went a couple of inches outside the post; and another went orvr. the bar. At length after a long attack; Canterbury were rewarded, 'Atkinson scoring as a result of a pass from Rich," wio was playing a very heady game. The visitors narrowly missed another goal before time was called,'with the score one all. Tho match will have to be decided ono way or the other before' Raturdav : when the winners will meet Wellington "A", in the final. -'■ . . " DETAILS OF. THE RACING. Detailed results of the racing are — lOOvds. Open Handicap. TronhiMvalue J3.fc.imd £l.ls. . First, ani second in each heat to start in final.—FiW heat: B. Wood. 13scc, 1; A. G. AntonISsec., 2; W. O'Meara, ITsec., 3 .\!tn started: H. Ostler, IFsec. Time; Imin lGsec. Second heat: W. Gregor, l"*oe i'. K. Forth. lOsec, 2; .1. Hannav, 13spc" V Also started: L. Moltzen, 13see".; J. Kn'ud son, Usee; J. Stevens,.lQsoc; J.. 8.-Ware-ham, 9sec. Time, ,S2sec. Third-.-heat: E. E. Jenkinson, fisec, 1; T, H. M'Lean

Kscc., 2. Also started: H. Mullins, Bsec.; if- Jenkroson, Bsec; L. Annand, 7sec;; E. Eonayne, 3sec; G. E, Paterson, 630 c.; W. 7 C n a r* G^-- T T -Wellwood, 6se'c. Time 70sec. H. Jenkinson finished third, but was disqualified for crossing the field, w 1 >i?r Jeaki nson and Wood, dead heat 1; M'Lean 3, -•-•Wood looked to the raco well m hand ten yards from home, but Jenkinson came fast, and deadheated with. him. Jenkinson's time was 69 l-ssec., and Woods's 76 l-ssec. Anton did not start in the final.

50yds. Scratch Raw. Trophies, fir«t value ,£1 lis. 6d., and second 15>\ First and second to start in.' final.—First heat: - C. Brice, Thorndon, 1; F. Bridges Na P. icr -y C. V. Fordham, Swifts, 3. ' Also smarted: P. \. Mason, East Christcliurch. Time, 28, 1-5% .Won b r a touch. Second heat: A. O'Hare A\aitemata, 1; G. Seymour, Napier, 2 Also started: J. D. Stewart, W'aitemata; 11. AoJson, Thorndon; J.'Graat, Hawera. ' Time, 2D 2-ssec. Won by inches. Third heat: F. Roberts, Thorndon, 1;' M. C. Stranger, Wellington, 2; G. L. Bull, Richmond, 3- Also started: H. Walden, Napier; C. Kelly, Wellington. Won by a touch. ■ Walden was blocked ont of the: race in'the last ten yards, and wnsal- : lowed to start in the final. . Final; Brice, 1; Hoberts, 2; Bridges, 3. Time, 27 -1-5 ' sec. A fine start was effected, and: when half the journey was' over, Brice was leading by a yard. He held his advantage to the end, and won by 2ft. A foot : between Roberts and Bridges. : . - 220 yds.. Breast" Stroke ' Championship >of New Zealand. Prizes: First, Associ- . ation's gold medal;' second, ■ trophy, value .£1 Is (presented by Mr. H. W. • Lloyd). Holder, C. Atkinson, Canter- ' , bury. N.Z. record, 3min. 10 ,2-ssec. . ' btandard time, 3min: 30sec. ■v- ' C._ Atkinson, Opawa,-Canterbury' 1 ' W. Cpokson, E. Christcliurch, Cjntby.: 2 N. M'Cartney, Napier • 3. Also ..started: ■W. R. Ilorton, - Waitemata, Auckland; W, B. Jerrom, ..Wait6• nl^i,v 1 ' L. Bull, Richmond, Canterbury, ■ Tune, 3min. 17 4-ssec. ' Won by about - 10ft., a yard separating second and third. Comic Event,' Musical Lifebuoys. Prizßi trophy value £1 is.—L. Annarid, Canterbury, 1. • ■ 200 yds. Open Handicap. /'Prizes—-Tro." pliies value. £2 2s. and' ;fil I Is.—First heat: K. D. Russell, 42sec., 1; K. Forth, 2Ssec., 2; J. Stirling, 30sec., 3. Also/ started: F; Delaney, 42sec.; G. Kill, 31 sec.j .'T. J. King,-17sec.; V, L. Allan, 23sec.; A..Crowther, 20ssc. Time, "min. 8 4-ssec. - Delaney gave up. Second heat: A. M. Smith, 18sec., 1; W. Wilson, 16sec., 2; F. Bridges, 4sec., 3. " Also started': J.. B. Wareham, " ISsec.,; ' L. Salek, _ 16sec.; G. Gemmell, lOsec.; IT.. C. Stranger, scr. Stranger gave up at-100 and, Wareham at 190. , Time, 2min.. 48 sec. final: Smith, 1; Forth, 2; Stirling,■ 3. No. time taken. . Smith won by, a yard- after a fine race over the last 40 . •yards between tha first three men..Russell was' disqualified for starting before his time.. . 440 yds." Championship, of New Zealand. , Prizes—First, Association's Gold Medal; second, trophy; value.*El Is., presented by Stewart, Dawson and - ■ Co. Holder,'M: E. Champion, Auckland. New, Zealand record,' smin: 1 • ; 54 ■ , 3-ssec. ' Standard . time, ■- 6min. , 15sec.-' ; ■ \ ,■ ■ M. E. Champion, .Waitemata, Auckland , 1 C. W'elson, Waitemata, Auckland ..... " 2 ; R. Healy, . Thorndon, Wellington ...... '3'' Also.started: C. Atkinson, Opawa, Canterbury; E. J. Dawson,\ Dunedin; B. C. Freyberg, Swifts; J. Grant, Haweraj A. MTlillan,'Dunedin; C. H. H.. Rich, Opawa; P. Schwartz, Aldington; F. Seymour, Napier; G. Seymonr,. Napier. ■Time, ! smin: sSsec. Champion: - won - easily by three, yards, five yards separating Welson and Healy. - The first five • ■ men qualified for the standard. Dawson : and Grant retired.' ■; ,500 yds. Flying Squadron Inter-provincial Teams' Race. Five men in- tach : ' team, each man to swim 100 yards. Prizes— I Trophies, value £2 12s. 6d. for winning team. . • Wellington: ,F. Roberts, B. C. Frey- !• borg, E. Healy, ■ 11. C. - Stranger, ' and C. S. Brice .:... 1 Waitenata'-Club (Auckland): ; J." D. .. Stewart,' H. -Purdy, 'A; O'Hare, C. '.

• Welson. and M. E. 'Champioa -S 1 : Time, Smin. 27 2-ssec. Won by a touchV ' New Zealand Polo Championship. Win- . ncrs to hold N.Z.A.S.A.'"Banner for 12 months and receive trophies value £5' ss. Present" holders (First and • second heats decided on Saturday).— ' Third heat: Wellington '"B" . ~1,, goal; Canterbury "A". team, i goal:; One * of the above teams; must win before, the final is: decided' on ".Saturday,,-. . /'• FINAL DAY'S CHAMPIONSHIPS. 'The programme for. the." final 'day's racing, 011 SaturdayVincludes the' .heats ah'd final of'the 220 yards'championship, 880 yards championship, and ; the final.. for the water polo championship.. THE DUNCAN SHIELD. The Canterbury swimmers 'who -are • competing at the New; Zealand Championship meeting are engaged in piling up points for'the W._K. Duncan Shield, which trophy was presented to the centre in memory of the later, inter-club handicapper in Christchurch," who died in August last. "The shield'is to.be won by the Canterbury club which gains most points at-the New' Zealand; cha'm- ' pionships tach year, the winning club holding it for a year, and • having ' its.'[ name engraved on the trophy, l'ointa are allotted as under of a New Zealand championship, 8; second in New ' Zealand championship, *4;; third in New = Zealand; championship,' 2;- establishing' a New Zealand record,' 3 extra; breaking the New Zealand standard," 2 extra; winner of an inter-club (handicap, 1 extra. Up to date the points scored at the present championship l . meeting - are:— Opawa, 15, and East. Christchurch, 6.