SWIMMING.

Auckland Star, Issue LVII, 1 March 1926, Page 13

SWIMMING.

PONSONBY SCHOOLS' GALA. ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIP GATHERING. THE LEYS CUP TO SMYTH. Showery and unsettled weather rulr-rl on Saturday for the annual Ponsonby schools' swimming championships. held in the! Shelly Beach baths, under the control of the I Ponsonby Amateur Life Saving and Swimming Club. A break in the weather early | in the afternoon was sufficient inducement for a large number of people to come out. with the result that there was an excellent attendance of parents, friends, and children. | The swimming, on the whole, was decidedly good, and gave an excellent idea of the | creditable work being done by the Fonsonby I Club In its scheme of teaching the younger generation to swim rather than devote its time to competitive endeavours as is the case with other clubs. The children competing on Saturday ranged In age from 10 to 14 years, and the style of the young people gives cause for praiseworthy comment. Mr. 1). B. Anderson, who is retained by the club, is responsible for the instruction in I swimming, and he expresses every satisfaction with the result of his numerous pupils' work. There were nearly 300 competitors in Saturday's championships, which represented a decided increase on the entries for the meeting held two years ago, last year's championships having been postponed owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic. The chief event on the comprehensive programme was the 100 3 - ards Dr. T. W. L«ys Memorial Cup, open to boys under 14 years from any primary school. This event attracted nine entries, and provided a great race. The winner, Smyth, swam a well-judged race, and got the verdict by a yard from Currey, who had led nearly all the way. The winner was some feet back over the last 15 yards, and then challenged and passed Currey In great stvlp. Prior to the race j reference was made to the generosity and i . goodwill of the late Dr. T. W. Leys, and the fact that Mr. W. Cecil Leys had prej sented the cup in memory of his father, whose interests were closely centred in the club. The 100 yards Ponsonby schools' championship provided a good race, and was won by Smyth, who swam an excellently-judged race. In the 100 yards girls' school championship Miss M. Bell proved far superior to her four opponents, and won by nearly half I a length in excellent st.yle. The remaining j events were keenly contested, and provided i much excitement. An exhibition of swimming was given by Mr. D. B. Anderson, and was greatly appreciated. I The Long Shield, for the school gaining I the most points, went to Curran Street, with 172. Bayfield 4S, Richmond Road 19, and PoDsonby 10. The results are as follow :— 100 YARDS DR. T. W. LEYS MEMORIAL Cup (Boys under 14 years). L. Smyth (Curran Street) 1 R. Currey (Parnell) 1 K. Sherress (Richmond 3 There were nine starters. A beautiful start saw five of them go out to the front at a fast pace. Currey held a slight advantage at the three-quarter mark, with I Smyth close behind, and Sherress in next I position. Cnrrey lost at the turn, but was I not long in picking it up and going out I ahead of omytli, with Sherress a good third. Currey increased his lead, and looked a certain winner, but Smyth challenged with 13 yards to go. and. in a great spurt, went out to win by a yard. Sherress was four yards back, third. Time, S3 2-ss. 100 YARDS POXSON-BY SCHOOLS' CHAMPIONSHIP (Boys). L. Smyth (Curran Street) ] K. Sherries (Richmond) 2 R. Hill (Bayfield) 3 The seven starters got away well, and Sherriss went to the front, with Smyth at his heels. Four competitors were close up at the rum, and Sherriss went out over the last lap. A good race down, the bath ensued, and then Smyth again showed excellent judgment and shot out. to get the verdict by a touch. Time, S5 1-os.

I 100 TAIM>S POXSONBY SCHOOLS' CHAMPIONSHIP (Girls). M. Bell (Bayfield) 1 M. Hutton (Bayfield) '- S. Drennan (Curran Street) <! Miss Bell led all the way and won slowing up by half a length. Her superiority was most noticeable, ami her style and stroke were features. Time, 9!ss. 50 YARDS (Boys, 14 years and over). R. Hill (Bayfteld) 1 W. Moyes fßayfieM) 2 P. Pet ley fßlchmond) 3 1 There were six starters. The competitors I were all together for half ihe distance, ond then Hill went out to win by 10yds. Time, 105 2-ss. 50 YARDS (Boys. 13 to 14 years). First heat.—J. Dick (Curra-n Street, 1; IG. Roberts (Ponsonby), 2: R. "White (Curran Street). 3. Time, 38 3-ss. j Second Heat.—M. Hansen (Richmond). 1; IK. Sherriss CRicbmond, 2; \V. Christianson (Richmond). 3. Time, 37 2-ss. Final.—-Slierriss. 1: Hansen. 2: Dick, 3. A good race. Won by 3yds. Time, 365. 50 YARDS (Girls, 13 to 14 years). ■A. Levy (Bayfield) 1 S. Denham (Curran Street) 2 E. Wilson (Curran Street) 3 Miss Levy swam an excellent race and led all the way, to win slowing up. Time, 45 l-ss. 00 YARDS. HEDLUND CUP. (Girls under 12 years.) P. O'Neill (Curran Street) 1 B. Bell-Booth rCurran Street) 2 G. Bell (Bayfield) 3 Won easily. Time 42 3-os. 50 YARDS, GIRLS. (12 to 13 years.) Final.—X. Reid 1, D. Russell 2, E. Bryant 3. Won easily. Time, 43 1-os. 250 YARDS FLYING SQUADRON. (Boys). Curran Street 1 Richmond Road 2 Bayneld :i An exciting race. Curran Street won by 9 yards. 50 YARDS INVITATION, GIRLS. (Under 12 years). M. Bell (Bayifield) 1 E. Bell (Bayneld) 2 The winner had no difficulty and won easily. Time, 47 4-3s. 50 YARDS BOYS. ; (11 to 12 years.) ■ S. Gardiner (Curran Street) '1 ; J. Johnson (Richmond) 2 1 G. Pung (Ponsonby) 3 Time, 30s. I 50 YARDS, BOYS. '■ (12 to 13 years.) First Heat —A. Beagles (Richmond) 1, I. Neilson (Richmond) 2. Time, 47 1-os. Second Heat.—L. Smyth (Curran Street) 1, .T. Burt (Curran Street) 2. Time, 465. Final.—Smyth 1, Burt 2. NEAT HEADER (Girls). M. Bell 1 I NEAT HEADER CBoys). I J. Johnson 1