HALE-MILE RACE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 71, 24 March 1934, Page 20

HALE-MILE RACE

MASTERTON CARNIVAL

A contingent of town swimmers attended the Masterton Club's carnival on Saturday night last, when conditions were very favourable. . Under the expert management of Mr. W. Dickson, the function was conducted in a very successful ' manner, despite the large programme of events. Except for the championship event, the visitors did not show, up prominently in the inter-club events, their handicaps proving a little too severe. However; all appeared to enjoy the gathering, and the; visit was voted as being one of, the best yet undertaken.

The main event of the evening was the 880 yards centre championship, for which a large field faced the starter. J. Blakeley, the title-holder, was not present, but his absence allowed a fine race. At the. finish, the winner, K. Thwaites, was definitely superior to his opponents. The race itself was full of changes and the interest of the spectators was fully maintained over the whole distance, which' is not usual in long-distance events. At the start, Plank, Pelham, Barnes, and Thwaites moved together, but at the 150-yard mark, Barnes had taken the lead from Plank and Pelham, with Thwaites a short distance behind. The leader slightly increased his margin and at the furlong was two yards out from Plank, Pelham, and Thwaites, with . Milligan six yards further away. Shortly after this, Pelham and Plank made a forward move, closing on the leader, Plank eventually taking the lead. This he maintained for a few laps, but eventually withdrew, leaving Barnes again in front from Pelham and Thwaites, with Milligan steadily making up ~4eeway. The pace was fairly solid, and was beginning to tell on the two leaders, Barnes showing signs of tiring, and Pelham ultimately retiring; With three-quarters of the distance covered, Thwaites took the lead from Barnes, while. Milligan was improving his position. From this time on, the race was in the safe keeping of the leader, who swam steadily and finished with a margin of 30 yards from Barnes, who narrowly defeated Milligan for second place. Although the time was not outstanding (it would have been if the official figures were • correct) it was really good from the place-getters' point of view. K. Thwaites confirmed the excellent showing he made in the recent 220 yards championship, and, although his win was not altogether expected, his performance was very well received. His improvement this season has been rapid, and, as he is still a young swimmer, he should go on to better things. In this event he swam like a veteran, revealing the right temperament, and swimming a very heady race. At no stage was he disturbed by the various positions of his opponents, but, maintaining his own pace, and clocking each lap regularly, he was able finally to outdistance the rest of the field. It was a splendid performance for a second appearance in championship events, and Thwaites is to be congratulated on his success.

Barnes would have been closer to the winner had he used the same tactics. He swam really well over the early stages of the race, but made the fatal mistake of trying to be in the lead all the time. Had he swum to schedule, he would have been hard to dispose of, but at the same time he revealed form that stamps him as a prospective distance swimmer, and the experience gained in the race will undoubtedly be of benefit to him in the future. Allowing for the good swims of Thwaites and Barnes, the most impressive performance of the other competitors was that of young Milligan. This lad, who has competed in comparatively few races, took on championship company, and to gain a place at his first start (being practically unknown except to his club mates), is a feat of which he may well feel proud. But for fouling the lanes just near the finish, he would have secured second place. He, too, swam like an experienced competi: tor, using good judgment throughout,' and is sure, to be one of the most prominent swimmers within the next few seasons. AH three place-getters • gave evidence of solid training, and this factor undoubtedly contributed to their success.