SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 22

SWIMMING

• V "He*OEH"

NATIONAL MEETING LOCAL COMPETITORS CHANCES DISCUSSED Although somewhat early in the teason to offer comment on the prospects of local competitors for honours at the national championships in February next, there are judications that in come events at least good showings can be looked for. The only senior championship held by Wellington is thQ flying eouadron, for teams of five, and a review of that event has already appeared in this column. In the individual races for men swimmers, a measure of success may be looked for in the sprints, in which events Wellington can olFer pretty solid opposition to outside cud-ant... Going on last season's form, W. (.'ai/Kiioii. will be .irfct siring, and Jit and well his entry into the tenior ranks should be an auspicious 'one. After his line effort in the centre's 100 yds championship last season in fresh water, it was expected he would record great time at Dunedin, but although he hoisted new figurea for the distance, he did not appear to show his true form. Probably the lack of strenuous opposition accounted for this, but nevertheless the performance was good enough to rank him as a serious contender for the senior title next February. C. Claridge will be a good support to Cameron, and is capable of fully extending the best when in racing trim. The speed is there, but he has a tendency to swim erratically, and this will tell against him. in a race where every fraction of a, second is valuable. It was due to this fault that he failed to gain a place in the. filial last searon. He was going strongly in the lead in his heat, and looked an easy place-getter, but over the final stretch fouled the rope lanes and lost his chance. Rix-Trott has only to reproduce his form of two seasons ago to bo another worthy representative for Wellington. His prominence on that occasion was one of the features of the championship at Auckland, and there is no denying his talent. His falling off-last season can possibly be accounted for, and happenings during the next few months will probably prove that it was only temporary. .Murrell is not as good as he was, and although not a veteran, has had ten years of solid swimming. Thi» includes all branches of the sport, and his speed has been affected. Properly trained, he might stage a come-back. Enwright just beat him for the 100 yards title when the championships were held here in 1922. M'Hardy showed promise a few seasons back, and made a bright showing at Christchurch, but has not progressed. He had a spell in favour of rowing last summer, and this may be beneficial. Leask and Blakeley have shown considerable improvement during their careers at the sport. They are hot yet up in.the championship class, but their timo will come. They are both young swimmers, and if their future improvement is as pronounced as the past, another few seasons will see them right in the front rank. Contingent on solid training, Cameron, Claridge, and Eix-Trott look to be the elect for Wellington representation. ■ Distance Events. In the distance events the mantle will probably fall on Claridge, Pelham, and Eix-Trott, unless the last-named confine himself to the shorter distances. On last season's form Claridge showed • out best, and swam better than he had done for some time, although the opposition locally was not. outstanding. At Dunedin he and Pelham found'the opposition of Lindsay and Stokes, too strong, and were not in the condition of their opponents. .Pelham has some fine performances to his credit over -the middle distances, and a reproduction of these would see him showing up favourably. His difficulty is to find the time for the necessary training. RixTrott's swimming at Auckland has already been referred to, and' he only requires to strike form, to be in the picture. Assuming that-Lindsay returns to Christchurch —and it is possible that he will—Canterbury will hold a strong hand. Stokes is a fine second string to the champion, and will be in the condition to. give of his best. Auckland will rely on Bridson, and this young swimmer is sure to be prominent, with possibly Cunnold'to assist him. With these proved distanco swimmers against them, the local men will find it hard to be in a place. Water Polo. As far as water polo is concerned, the local representatives will have conditions in their favour, and provided the necessary practice is indulged in, no excuses can be offered if' a . good showing is not made. Actually the team will have its greatest opportunity of winning the coveted banner so long hold by Canterbury, and an improvement on last season's form is all that is necessary to bring this about. From all accounts the team at Dunedin mado a capital showing, a lack, of combination in the earlier games enabling weaker teams to draw with them. This fault should not be present this season, and the polo sub-committee (Messrs. Coira, Claridge, and Shannon) will no doubt see that the necessary practices aro held. All of last season's teams will be available, and with plenty of additional talent to choose from, two teams will probably bo entered. Auckland are as keen to win tho banner as any province could be, and can be relied upon to send down a strong team, capable of extending the best. They have been very consistent in the past, and on some occasions victory seemed to be within their grasp, but the fates were against them. Canterbury have put up a wonderful performance in this competition, having won it every year since 1909 with the exception of 1915, when Hawkes Bay were successful. In the most of these successes Atkinson, has been an outstanding player, and al-, though he may be the means of the Bay centre again showing up with a team, Canterbury will feel his loss severely. The latter province will also lose the services of E. Wbeeley, who is retiring, but tbo younger talent coming on will be no mean opponents. In One respect the Canterbury players have always showed to advantage, and that is in combination. This, together with the ability of their players to handle the ball, has been the feature of their play, and despite the absence of ' a great general like Atkinson, the team can be looked to for another exhibition in keeping with their great record. Otago have made progress in the ganio during the last season or two, and are already getting into form with the ball, with' a view, no doubt, of sending up a team. Otago .' drow with Wellington last season, and can be expected to improve, and their' presence in the competition would be welcome. Altogether the water polo contests promise to bo one of the interesting tit-bits of tho national championships. Ladles' Club. The annual meeting of the Ladies' Club was held on Monday last, when there was a fair attendance of members. A strong committee has been set up for the ensuing season, and together with energetic .official. , are aiming to foster the interests of Hie, i-lnb. Plenty of competition is likely lo be provided, and members and.intending'members will be well catered for in that icnpect. Monday nights arc reserved for ladies nt the Institute baths, and the officials will be pleased to welcome any now talent oo those nights.