AUCKLAND’S TRIUMPH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 585, 11 February 1929, Page 13

AUCKLAND’S TRIUMPH

SWIMMING CONTEST

TWO SHIELDS COME NORTH BRIDSON’S SECOND WIN (Special to THE SUE) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Finishing solidly, Auckland took the Yaldhurst Shield at the New Zealand Swimming Championships, defeating Wellington, who were runner-up, by a seven-point margin. The War Memorial Shield also went North, the total showing that there are more promising youngsters in Auckland than in tlie rest of the Dominion. The shield points at the beginning of the day were: Aucklad 2S, Cantei'bury and Wellington 21 each, and though Wellington scored 16 with wins in the ladies’ 440, Flying Squadron and Polo, the Queen City team managed to hold its lead. Otago suddenly came into view, taking first and second in the men’s dive and Miss Copplestone scored two firsts for South Canterbury in the ; 220yds. Breast-stroko and the ladies’ dive, so that the position was very safe, i Keen to win the shield, two useful short-distance men had come down from Atfckland overnight to swim in tho Flying Squadron. They were Sellars, who does 61 seconds, and Plank, a 62-second man. But despite this reinforcement. the race was a sad fizzle. Canterbury decided not to enter, its shield chances having passed completely, and both Wellington and Auckland possessing very strong teams. For three of the relays It was a good race. Burrell, of Auckland, starting bettei* than tho Wellington A man, Pelham, and being a foot or so in front by the time that the hundred yards was completed. Blakeney, Wellington’s next made, made up all but a touch against Cellars, and McHardy, doifig 61 seconds. gained a yard on Plank. Clarifise, the next Wellington man into the water, simply rushed away from Enwright. The local man was timed to do &9 seconds, and finished eight yards ahead. Vv itli this lead the immensely powerful W. Cameron was once more disinclined to exert himself and swum home untroubled and easing up to win by nine or ten yards from Bridson. The Wellington B team, the only other squadron to start, was out of it after two minutes.

A GREAT RACE The great thrill to-day was the Men’s Quarter-Mile with another contest between Bridson, of Auckland, and the Canterbury crack. Alec Stokes. Both boys went out to do their best and the race was completed within 2-ssec. of the recoi-d held by Dave Lindsay. Claridge, of Wellington, who was swimming for shield points and seeking third place, went out to make the paeo and break up Enwright (Auckland) right from the start. Stokes followed him at the first touch, with Bridson inches away. Claridge still led at tho 100yds, Bridson being his nearest attendant, but at the 150 Stokes was a touch ahead, Claridge a yard behind Bridson and Enwright four or live yards back. Gowan was last. Stokes, who was watching Bridson like a cat, still led at the 200, but at half-way the big Auckland boy went shooting past him and at the 250 turn was a yard ahead, with Claridge three yards behind Stokes and Enwright live yards behind. From that moment the two leaders drew further and further away. The history of the race was very much that ol’ the half-mile last Wednesday. At each turn, Bridson’s powerful thrust allowed him to gain a couple of feet upon Stokes and the Canterbury lad had to give extra effort to hold up. They hung together until the 350, where Bi'idson opened out, only to have Stokes cling to him. Bridson’s turn for the* last 40 yards gave him the lead that won tlie race, for Stokes, with a splendid finishing dash, was swimming him down moment by moment when they reached the rope. The Canterbury man had cut down his deficit of a yard to a matter of less than a foot and in another ten yai'ds he might have got there. Claridge was ten yards back. The time was 5.24 4-5. The Ladies’ 440 was the best of good things for Miss K. Miller whose quick, sturdy style carried her home against the game opposition of two Auckland girls, Misses Grant and Champion. Miss Grant was all out fo hold her famous opponent Tor as much as 100 yards, and after that Miss Miller gained every lap, finishing a good ten yards ahead with Miss Champion, who is not swimming very well this year, five yards further back. The time, 6.6 2-5, bettered the record which Miss G. Shand, of Canterbury, has held for five years. MISS COPPLESTONE WINS

Another easy title was given to Miss Copplestone when she finished the Ladies’ 220yds. Breast-stroke in time well outside standard. Miss Copplestone touched about 20yds ahead of Miss Hall, a Wellington girl, who was the only other competitor, but the difference did not matter, for Miss Hall was disqualified, the judges disapproving of her kick. Results are as follow: 440yds Women’s Championship—Miller (W.), 1; Grant (A.), 2; Champion (A.), 3. Time, 6m 6 2-ss. X.Z. record. 440yds Men’s Championship—Bridson (A.), 1: Stokes <C.), 2; Claridge <W.), 3. Time. 5m 24 4-ss. 220yds Women’s breast-stroke championship Copplestone (Ash.), 1. 100yds Intermediate Boys’ Championship—Magee (A.), 1. 50yds Invitation Race—Cumnon (W.), 1; Dowsett (Wa.), 2; Sellars (A.), 3. Men’s Diving Championship—Calder (CO. 1: Walker (CO, 2: Hassan (A.), 3. Women’s Diving Championship—Copplestone (Ash.), 1; Ilodd (11. B.), 2; Smith <C.). 3. 500yds Flying Squadron—Wellington A, 1; Auckland. 2; Wellington B, 3. Water Polo (final) —Wellington beat Auckland, 7 —2. Yaldhurst Shield—Auckland. 44 points, l; Wellington, 37 points, 2; Canterbury, 24 points, 3. War Memorial Shield—Auckland, S points, 1; Otago, 3 joints, 2; Canterbury, 2 points, 3.