EMPIRE GAMES BEGIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1053, 18 August 1930, Page 9

EMPIRE GAMES BEGIN

SAVIDAN IS BRILLIANT IN SIX-MILE WIN GIRL SWIMMER SIXTH ! United r.A. —Jiy Telegraph—Copyright TORONTO, Saturday. The Kknpire Games were opened today at Hamilton, Ontario, in ideal weather. Fiftst there was an inaugural flourish of pageantry and an expression of goad wishes from the sportloving world. The Govternor-General Viscount Willingdon, officiated, and the Prime Minister, Mr. R. B. Bennett, and the Premier of Ontario, Mr G. H. Ferguson, were als£> present. Messages wire read rrom King George, the Prinae of Wales, the Ear! of Derby-, and others. Percy Williams, of Vancouver, ffie Olympic sprint champion, was ch*>sen to represent the competitors of a.'l countries at the taking of the Olympic oath, surrounded by flags, including the Union .Tack and 10 other emblems of the British nations. SAVIDAN'S WIN New Zealand had the first win of the day, when J. W. Sav.idan (Auckland) beat all the opposition easily in the six-miles event, and set a new Canadian record. His plodding persistence in pace was heart-breaking to his rivals. His time was a little more than a minute above the world’s record. Not until the third mile did the New Zealander go into the lead and was never again headed. He never faltered and finished strongly with Increased speed, heading Harper to the tape by a good 150 yards. Of the four evetns in which the finals were reached .his afternon. England won two first places, three seconds and two thirds Her athletes also showed outstanding superiority in the preliminary heats New Zealand took one event and Canada one. Three new Canadian .ecords were recorded, in the six-mile run, 440 yards hurdles, and hop, step and jump. While considerable comment was caused by the withdrawal of the Australian and South African competitors from the hurdle race beats without explanation. Savidan’s victory- was greeted with s>tisfaction as a remarkable triumph by the 15,000 spectators. His and Lord Burghley’s showing were the most popular of the day. SPIRIT OF THE GAMES Sports writers from all over the North American continent state that the achievement of both athletes was outstanding. One correspondent telegraphed to his paper as follows: “Perhaps those who dedicated the games earlier in the day could regard thece results, namely, the victories of a nobleman and a builder, as typical examples of the spirit and the interest which they- hope will pervade these contests.” As Australia was not competing in the early events the Commonwealth athletes, after taking part in the parade today, acted the part of spectators. The men are reported to be in good condition and feeling fit. The result of the six-miles flat race was:—Savidan (New Zealand), 1; Harper (England), 2; Eveson (England), 3: Wood (Scotland), 4; Reynolds (Canada), 5. Time, 30m 49 4-ss. FINAL OF 440 YARDS The following qualified for the final of the 440vds hurdle race:—First heat: Lord Burghley (England), 1; Tatham (England), 2; Hickey (Canada), 3. Time, 5Ss. Second heat: Leigh-Wood (England), 1; Connolly (Canada), 2; Neame 3. Time, 58 3-10 s. In the final the result was: Lord Burghley, 1; Leigh-Wood, 2; Neame, 3. Time, 54 4-ss„ a new Canadian record.

The following qualified for the final in the 220yds race:—First heat: Englehart (England). 1; Hamilton (Scotland), 2. Time, 225. Second heat: Walters /(South Africa), 1; Ball (Canada), 2. Time. 225. Third heat: Gerhardt (South Africa). 1; Fitzpatrick (Canada), 2. A. J. Elliott (New Zealand) ran third in a strong finish, but failed to qualify. Final heat: Englehardt, 1; Fitzpatrick, 2; Walters, 3. Time, 21 4-os. 880 YARDS FINAL For the final of the SSOyds, the following qualified:—First heat: Chandler (South Africa), 1: Thomas (England), 2; Gutteridge (England), 3: Pickard (Canada), 4. Time, lm 56 4-ss. Second heat: Hampson (England), 1; Wilson (Canada), 2; Edwards (British Guiana), 3. Time, lm 55 3-ss. The final of the hop, step and jump resulted: —Smallcombe (Canada), 1. Distance, 48ft sin. G. B. Johnson (New Zealand) was sixth. There were 10 competitors. The following were the results in the races held this evening:— 440Yds Free Style.—Noel Ryan (Australia), 1; G. Bridson (New Zealand), 2. Ryan's win was the most sensational of the evening. Monro Bourne led to nearly halfway, when Ryan went ahead strongly. The Canadian was nearly exhausted. Then Bridson came up and finished second, a foot ahead of G. Burleigh (Canada). The tw-o had raced side by side and matched strokes for the full distance. Ryan won by 3yds. Time, 3m 49 4-ss. NEW ZEALAND GIRL SIXTH IOOYds Backstroke.—J. W. Trippett (England), 1; William Frances (Scotland), 2; J. C. P. Besford (England). 3. Time, 65 2-55., a new Canadian record. J. W. Cameron (Australia) finished strongly, less than a foot behind Besford. 400Yds Free Style, Women.- —Joyce Cooper (England), 1; Valerie Davies (Wales), 2; Sarah Stewart (Scotland). 3. Time, 5m 25 2-ss. 200Yds Breaststroke, Women. —Celia Wolstenbolme (England), 1; Marjorie Hinton (England), 2; Ellen King (Scotland), 3. After being with the leaders for half the distance Gladys Pidgeon (New Zealand) fell back and finished sixth. The time. 2m 54 3-ss. is a new world's record for women swimmers. " Springboard Diving.—Alfred Phillips (Canada), 1; Cyril Kennett (Canada), 2: Arthur Stott (Canada). 3; R. C. Calder (New Zealand), 4.

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