CHAMPIONSHIP SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 20051, 17 December 1928, Page 9

CHAMPIONSHIP SWIMMING

OTAGO PROVINCIAL TITLES IMPROVED STANDARD SHOWN Keener competition and much better swimming wore witnessed on Saturday night when the Otago Amateur Swimming and Diving Championships were concluded than wag tho case on the first night, and some fast times were registered, _ though these were intermingled with slow times in several of the championship-events. There was a fair attendance of tho public—larger than on the first night —and spectators were treated' to some really stirring finishes, 'though there were few more sensational and oxciting than that of tho 150yds men’s backstroke championship, in which W. Boyd (Kiwi) retained his title by boating S. Fogg (St. Clair) by a yard. The'latter led practically all the way, but Boyd came with a. great burst of speed over tho last 20yds, and fully deserved his win, which was one of tho best of tho evening. The presence of C. J. M'Lean, who has boon studying at Auckland University, lent added interest to tho men’s event, and in the 220yds ho had a great race with N. H. Bailey, holder of the 100yds and 440yds titles. M‘Lean managed to get the verdict by barely a touch in 2min 64scc, which was_ several seconds faster than’ tho winning time last year, M'Lean also gave St. Clair another title by annexing the 880yds men’s championship_ after a good race with R. J. Fleming. It was here that M‘Lean’s short preparation was in evidence, for the time was slower than his best. This applied also to Miss M. Jepson, who carried off the 220yds ladies’ title without opposition. The men’s diving championship produced some great exhibitions on tho boards, the New Zealand men’s champion, R. C. Cakler being in such great form that ho will have only to retain it to bo-very hard to deprive of his national title. Ex-New Zealand champion, H. Walker, who was second to Colder, also gave a fine display. The Olds Challenge Shield Relay (six men a side) was included on the programme, and produced a good race, but the holders (St. Clair) were just a little too good for Kiwi. In the intermediate division the outstanding performer was Miss M. Mathieson, who is a very likely contender for national honours. She wop the 100yds championship in her division in 80 l-ssec—good time, especially as she was not greatly extended. She has a good stroke, but it was in the breast stroke that her finest- swim was made. She did Imin Bscc for 75yds breast stroke, this being a second unde .' standard time and only 2 3-ssec outs do the New Zealand record. R. Veddes again continued on his_ winning way in the junior boys’ division, though W. Jarvis extended him fully in _ a fast 50yds race—a pair of fine swimmers. The 150yds race in this section will have to be reswum as the result of an error on the part of tho rope judge in putting the rope down too soon, this misleading one of the competitors, who thought he .had finished. Slow swimming was witnessed in the junior girls’ division, though Miss M. Bewley, who won all tho titles, shows a lot of promise. Durand swam well in the intermediate boys’ breast stroke event, and a centre record wag established by J. L. MTmloe and C. B. Lewis in the. life-saving championship. The titles were well divided among tho threo clubs, Kiwi (which scored heavily in tho_ junior division) taking twelve, Dunedin eight, and St. Clair seven. The Dunedin Chib won every diving championship. The meeting was put through with the least possible delay, the centre officials working well to tin’s end. Mr J. Lewis was of considerable assistance as press steward. Results: — 25 YARDS, JUNIOR GIRLS. Miss M. Bow ley (Kiwi) ... 1 Misg I. Gillies (Kiwi) ... 2 Only starters. Miss. Bewloy established a lead from .{hw'start, and swimming with a fast stroke won comfortably by 4yds. Time, 20 l-sscc. 100 YARDS, INTERMEDIATE BOYS. B. Kerr (Dunedin) 1 Only starter. Kerr had a swimover, and though ho swam better than in the 220yds ho did not register much in tho way of time, which was slower than that of tho junior champion. Ho finished well over the last length, however, and might have reduced his time had he had opposition. Time, Imin 18 3-sscc. 75 YARDS, INTERMEDIATE GIRLS’ BREAST STROKE. Miss M. Mathieson (Dunedin) ... 1 Miss C. Long (Kiwi) 2 Only starters. Miss Mathieson swam a great race, and using a fast, powerful stroke, sho opened up a lead from the start, and; staying on well, finished strongly to win, by syds in very fast time. Time, Imin Bsec. 50 YARDS, JUNIOR BOYS. R. Geddes 1 IV. Jarvis 2 A. Bnckland ... ... 3 Also started: S. Jarvis. This was an exciting race, botli Geddes and W. Jarvis swimming splendidly. Geddes turned a yard ahead of W. Jarvis, but the latter spurted over tho last bit, and in a fast finish Geddes won by a foot, Buckiand being 3ydg back third. Time, 32 4-ssec. 220 YARDS, MEN. C. J. M'Lean (St. Clair) 1 N. H. Bailey (Kiwi) 2 H. ,1). Gillies (Kiwi) ... 3 Only starters. This was one of the closest races of the evening, M'Lean and Bailey racing together ail the way. The swimmers got away to a good start, and the first two lengths were cut out in good time, Bailey gaining a yard at the second turn. M'Lean made it up, however, and the pair turned together at the 100yds mark, the 100 being carved out in 70sec. At this stage Gillies was about 6yds back, but he stuck to. tho leaders gamely, though lie did not threaten either of them. M'Lean spurted over the last 50yds, and led Bailey by a yard at the last turn. Bailey quickened his stroke, however, and a thrilling finish resulted in victory for M'Lean, the previous holder of the title, by a touch, Gillies being 10yds back, third. Time, 2min 54scc. 100 YARDS,-JUNIOR GIRLS. Miss M. Bewley (Kiwi) ... 1 Miss I. Gillies (Kiwi) ... 2 Only starters. This was a very slow race, though Miss’ Bewloy, who has a fair stroke but a rather irregular leg action, was not extended. She led all the way, and won comfortably by 6yds from her clubmate. Time, 2min 4 3-5 sec. 100 YADRS INTERMEDIATE GIRLS Miss M. Mathieson (Dunedin) ... 1 Miss D. Murdoch (Dunedin) ... ...2 Miss P. Lang (Kiwi) ' 3 Only starters. Miss Mathieson used a long, steady stroke and getting away fast, led by a yard at the first tum, the other pair being together. The order was unchanged at the end of 66 2-3yds, but Miss Mathieson had increased her lead to 3yds. She sprinted over the last length and won nicely by 6yds in very fair time,' which was only l-ssee slower than Miss Jepaon’s in the ladies’ 100yds.. There was. a good race for second place, ’ but Miss Murdoch drew away over the last 20ydS, and beat Miss Lang by a yard. Time, 80 1-5 sec. 150 YARDS MEN’S BACK STROKE. W Boyd (Kiwi).... ... ... 1 S. Fogg'(St. Clair) ... .... 2 G. Collett (Kiwi) 3 Also started: M. Taylor (Kiwi). This was one of the most sensational races of tho evening, Boyd snatching 'ksm 'JB«Bhs 'wee we Jditer eg*

pcared to have the race in hand. I'ogg began at a fast bat, Boyd falling into a steadier stroke. Fogg led by 3yds at the end of two Japs, but Boyd dm nob allow him to increase it, his sound judgfent playing no small part in his victory. Fogg, however, still had a ,couplo of yards to spare with less than 20yds to go, and then lioj'd came to light with a great challenge, which the tiring Fogg was unable to withstand, Boyd-winning by a yard, Collett being third, 12yds back. Time, 2min I6scc. MEN’S LIFE SAVING (First and Fourth Methods). J. L. M'lrvdoo and C. B. Lewis (St. Clair 1.. 1 H, Devlin and A. Harrod (St. Clair) 2 Only starters. Won by 10yds in last time. Time, Imin 27 4-ssec—-which bettered the previous centre record of Imin 35sec. . 220 YARDS, LADIES. Miss M, Jepson (Dunedin) 1 Miss Jepson had a swim-over, but the time she registered was a long way below her best. She sprinted well at the finish, however, and would probably have dono better time had __ she been extended. Time, 3min 23 2-asec. MEN’S DIVING. 11. C. Calder (Dunedin) ... 1 H. Walker (Dunedin) ... 2 A. M. Rix (Dunedin) ... 3 The only competitors. Some very fine diving was witnessed, especially on the part of Calder, the New Zealand champion, and Walker, the ex-cham-pion._ Rix, too, dived very well con- ■ sidering that he is still an intermediate. Calder showed that he is still in great form, and in several _ numbers it was difficult to find fault with him, his flight oiul entry being both exceptionally good. Ho was getting the height, and, as usual, had great balance in the air. His somersault backward off the 10ft board (this was ono of the post dives) was a well-nigh perfect effort, his entry leaving little to bo desired. As voluntaries Calder did a one s cre ' v backward and a half-borer n-ward running, both off the top board, and both were good efforts. Walker dived very consistently, and in any other centre his performance would have been good enough to win a trrie; but Calder was just a little too good. As one voluntary Walker did a one and a-half somersault forward running, and executed it very well. The diving throughout was well up to, best championship standards. 880 YARDS, MEN. C. J. M‘Lean (St. Clair) ... 1 R. J. Fleming (Dunedin) 2 Only starters. Fleming gave M'Lean a good race, the pair being together all the way. Fleming turned the last time just ahead of M‘Lcan, but the latter had something in reserve, and sprinting nicely won by a touch in an exciting finish, though the time was slow_ and below M'Lean’s best. Time, 14min 37 4-ssec, 100 YARDS INTERMEDIATE BOYS’ BREAST STROKE. C. Durand (St. Clair) ... 1 J. Crowley (St. Clair) ... 2 A. Rennie (Dunedin) ... 3 Also started: J. Robertson (Dunedin). Durand established an advantage from tho start, and swimming nicely won by 7yds, Rennie being another 4yds back. Time, Imin 34scc. 50 YARDS JUNIOR GIRLS’ BREAST STROKE. Miss M. Bowlcy (Kiwi) ... 1 Miss 1. Gillies (Kiwi) ... 2 Though Miss Bowley won fairly comfortably after swimming quite a fair race, Miss Gillies stuck to her pluckily and finished syds behind tho winner. Time, 63 4-ssec. 150 YARDS, JUNIOR BOYS. Tho starters were: R. Geddes (Kiwi), W. Jarvis (Dunedin), and S. Jarvis (Dunedin), and that was-the finishing order. No race was declared in this event, it being decided (quite properly) _to reswim tho race, the reason being that with still,3oyds to go,one of, the rope stewards thoughtlessly : low-' ered tho rope, and W. Jarvis, who was then a few yards behind Geddes (who had led all tho way) started to sprint. At this stage Jarvis was within striking distance of tho leader, and a good finish was assured. When tho rope was lowered, however,W. Jarvis thought it was the finish, whereas ho really had to swim to the end of tho baths and turn back. As soon as ho discovered his mistake the plucky youngster began again, but ho had no chance then, and Geddes, who had swum a really good race, won with 15yds to spare. The sturdy little nine-year-old, S. Jarvis, was a similar distance back third. Time, 2miri 2 3-ssec. Tho judges conferred, and subsequently it was announced that the race would ho reswum. OLDS CHALLENGE SHIELD (sixmen relay). St. Clair (C. B. Lewis, S. Fogg, A. Harrod, B. Ford, O. J. M'Lean, and J. B. Simpson) 1 Kiwi (W. Boyd, G. Collett, H. D. Gillies, A. E. Short, W. Hamilton, and N. H. Bailey) ... 2 Only starters. St. Clair, the holders of the shield, had tho more evenly balanced team, and though Boyd established a of a yard over Lewis, Fogg more than compensated for this against Collett, whom lie passed after a, few yards, giving St. Clair a 2yds’ lead. Ford increased this to 4yds over the second last length, but Bailey swam a fast last length for Kiwi, though Simpson touched 2yds - ahead of him after a good race. Time, Imin 51 4-ssec. HANDICAP EVENTS. 33 1-8 Yards, Interclub.—First heat: I. Turnbull (4’sec) 1, R. Wilson 2, S. MTCenzie (2)sec) 3. Also swam; E. Hiseoke (7-Jsoc) and A. Rennie (sisec). Turnbull and Wilson both swam well, the former lasting long enough to win on the touch, the third man being a yard back. Time, 20 l-sscc. Secbnd heat; J. Swan (s)sec) 1, F. Thwigg (sisec) 2, W. Hamilton 3. Also started: L. Ferguson (3isec), M. Taylor (2jsec), H. D. Gillies (Isec), and J. B. Simpson (scr). Won on the touch, a yard between second and third. -—Final.— J. Swan ... ... ... ... 1 S. M'Kenzio ... 2 R. Wilson 3 Swan led all the way and. won by half a yard, a similar distance between second and third. Time, 21 3-ssec. 66 2-3 Yards, Dual Relay.—Mrs V. Jenkins and R. Fleming (s£seo) 1, Miss j). Murdoch and 11. C. Calder (3_sec) 2, Miss M. Matheson and J. B. Simpson (scr) 3. Others: Miss J. Taylor and M, Taylor (6|see), Miss M. Morgan and W. Boyd (')sec), A close finish. Won by a touch, a touch separating second and third.. Time, 40Jscc. - WATER POLO. St. Clair A heat Dunedin in the first match of the first round of the water polo competition for tho Stuart Banner ; 10 goals to 0, after . a, ranch better game than that 1 provided at tho previous carnival. Play was sound rather than brilliant, blit Some good work was shown by the St. Clair side, as a whole, their, combination being considerably superior to that of their , opponents, whose throwing, too, was not as swift and accurate as that of the .winners, for whom goals were scored by J- B. Simpson (3), J. L. M'lndoe (31, C. B. Lewis (2), and A. Harrod (2). Mr P. S. Mathieson refereed. '