SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 45, 22 February 1930, Page 22

SWIMMING

MISS MILLER'S FINE EFFOETB

•** "Head**CENTRE MEETING

CLARIDGE IN FORM

Although rain did not fall, conditions wore .threatening lor the centre championship meeting, which was held last week at tho Itiddiford Baths, Lower Hutt. Nevertheless, there was quite a good attendance of tho public, and, notwithstanding some scratchings in the inter-club events, a good programme was submitted. The chief interest' was attached to the championship events, for which there were more starters than usual, especially in the younger grades. There were several close finishes during the evening, with keen competition for places. Norman Dowsett and G. Bix-Trott made a welcome reappearance, and their, presence added interest to tho proceedings. The Hundred.. • Claridgo, Blakeloy, Dowsett, and J. Cameron were the starters in the 100 yds championship, and they finished in the order named. All got away well, with Dowsett showing up from the dive, but when they started swimming Claridgo immediately clapped on the pace. Bacing to the first turn, he surprised by having a clear lead of f our feet from Blakeley, Dowsett, and Cameron, who turned together. Over tho next lap Claridge still kept moving, slightly increasing Ms lead over the other three, who were practically together. After the final turn the leader held his place, eventually winning by two yards from Blakeley, who was a foot in front of Dowsett, with Cameron a similar distance away. Claridge reversed the trial positions with Blakeley, and on the night was superior. He won tho race in the first lap, by setting up a lead that his jpponents had no chance of reducing. These were sound tactics, and his • win was well merited. • Blakeley did not swini as well as anticipated. He appeared to be watching only Dowsett, and was content to be just ahead of him right through. Dowsett was not in good form. A touch of1 cold prevented him from giving of his best. Even in the first lap it was noticeable that he was not swimming with his usual freedom. Limited training probably accounted for this. J. Cameron swam up to form, and was clo3O up to the place-getters. Claridge Again. , Claridge was again seen in a favourable light when he annexed-the quar-ter-mile championship. • Bix-Trott, Blakeley, and Pelham were his opponents. From the start, Claridge immediately set out to make the pace, and at the 100yds—covered in 64see—he was three yards ahead of Blakoley, : with Pelham "half ■ a yard further back, a yard ahead of Bix-Trott. Over the next lap Pelham displaced Blakoley in Becond place, otherwise the positions were unchanged. When they reached the half-way mark, Claridge was eight yards in front of Pelham, who was a similar distance in front' of Blakeley, with Bix-Trott two yards further, back. The leader had taken 2min 43sec for half the distance. The same order was maintained for the remainder of the journey, Claridge eventually swimming home comfortably with a ten-yard advantage over Pelham. The latter, was the same, distance ahead of Blakely, who just beat Bix-Trott for third place. Claridge had no trouble in winning this race.- His usual tactics of going to the front early, and establishing a lead again proved successful. Pelham. could not hold Claridge over the first portion, but when they settled down ho maintained an even pace. Blakeley and Bix-Trott had an interesting tussle for third place. When the latter moved up to Blakeley with 75 yards to go it looked as if he would gain third place, but Blakeley held on and beat him in the sprint to the rope. Eyland, who was expected 'ES shape well over -this distance, was unfortunately down with a dose of the 'flu. Claridge's time was 4 l-sse"c slower than the centre record, held by EixTrott. Miss Miller's Record. Miss K. Miller lowered her own centre record for the 100 yds ladies' championship by 2sec, and in doing so scored a comfortable win. Miss Fraser and Miss Butcher were her opponents in tho race, second .place going to the former. Both ladies are showing improvement as a result of competing against a top-notch swimmer. , Girls' Events. Miss P. Price won the intermediate girls' championship in convincing style from her sister, who was the only other starter. The time was slow, but the winner was not extended. Similarly, Miss M. House scored a comfortable win in the 50yds junior girls' race from tho Misses Thwaites and. Simeon, rhe winner^ experience iit the national championships stood her in good stead, and her tirne^—3s l-ssec—was a coniinendabip effort, constituting a new centre record. The previous best was 38scc. . ■ ' ' .. Breaststroko Kace. Keith Spry retained the breasfcstroke title without much difficulty. After the first two laps had been covered he took the lead, and won coiifortably Erom Deans, who was five yards ahead )l Hepburn and Tremewan. Spry jwims a fine smooth stroke, getting the Ml benefit of the drive and glide. Although only filling fourth place, Tre-. newan put up a fine swim, considering that he was competing out of his jrade. He is only 15 years of age, and !hows outstanding promise as a breastjtroke swimmer. . Sasy Victory. . Bernie Gallatc registered an easy victory in the 100 yds intermediate )oys' championship. Ho led throughtut, eventually winning as he liked in low time.' Cartwright and Ollivor, vho dead-heated for second place, will yin races next season. Of the' five )oys who contested the junior, chanilionship, Henderson was superior,, and lese"ved his' win.. ..'.,'".' Seen Tussles. The inter-club races drew good fields, ,rid wore productive of some keen tusles. -Warburton and Milne made good ise of their handicaps-in tho final of he men's race, finishing first and secnd respectively, just ahead of Cole>rook, who swam well from a back lark. Miss Miller finished with great ash in the ladies' inter-club event. )ver the first lap she appeared to be roll.out'of the running, but swimming ■eautifully she got up in time to rogiser a. brilliant win by a touch. Miss 'eggy Price recorded a popular win in ho open diving competition, her Jhroo fforts being yerjr consistent.