AUSTRALIANS AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 854, 24 December 1929, Page 11

AUSTRALIANS AGAIN

SWIMMERS TO FACE BRIDSON HERE EXTRA CARNIVAL APPROVED Noel Ryan and Owen Griffiths, the Australian touring swimmers, are being brought back to Auckland next month—to meet Gordon Bridson, the Aucklander who has so astounded the swimming organisations of New South Wales. Approval of the Mount Eden Swimming Club's invitation to the Australians was notified by the New Zealand Council to the club officials this morning. The club proposes to conduct a carnival at the Tepid Baths on January 16, the secretary, Mr. TI. Moore, informed The Sun. The extension of a New Zealand tour shows the faith the club has in the extent of public interest in another meeting between Bridson and Ryan. The Australians were to have returned to Sydney on January 10. Two carnivals held by the Auckland Centre to open the tour were poorly attended owing to the earliness of the season, but new interest has been added by objections from New South Wales to the matching of Ryan with Bridson at the beginning of the tour. New South

Wales swimmers claimed that Ryan, who is distance champion of Australia, had suffered from the sea voyage. Ryan was beaten decisively by Bridson three times, at Auckland and at Whangarei, although the Aucklander was having his first competition swims of the season. The sea voyage was not unusual.

The Australians also protested against the inclusion of Ryan in a half-mile race on the second, evening at Auckland, but this race was provided at Ryan’s own request. Bridson’s ability has really been underestimated in Australia, but the New South Wales Association is now seeking to have the Aucklander compete in Australia at the end of this season. Owing to the lateness of the Australian invitation, Bridson is not likely to be able to make the tour. At Wellington on Saturday evening, Griffiths, who has competed successfully during the tour, covered 220yds in 2m 28 l-ss—a time four-fifths of a second better than Bridson's New Zealand record. WATER POLO GAMES Ponsonby A defeated Grammar in the main game conducted by the Auckland Water Polo Control Board at the Tepid Baths last evening. The champion team of last season. Mount Eden, Avon narrowly from Ponsonby’s B team-. Details: Ponsonby A, 1 v. Grammar,’ o. Strenuous play took place throughout the first spell, but neither side had scored at the interval. Soon after the second spell had begun, Foster slammed in a good goal for Ponsonby. Two players, Kronfeld (Grammar) Farnell (Ponsonby), were ordered out of the water. Ponsonby had the better of the game near the end. Referee: Mr. C. Gildea.

Mount Eden, 3, v. Ponsonby B, 2. — A fairly bright game resulted. Witten proved to be useful for Mount Eden and he secured two goals in the first half. In exciting play after the interval, Bellam (Mount Eden) scored and Keane (Ponsonby) gained two goals. Referee: Mr. L Brighton.