SWIMMING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 14

SWIMMING.

THE N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS.

AUCKLAND TEAM'S SUCCESS. GRAMMAR CLUB'S CARNIVAL. With twelve championship titles and the tokens of swimming premiership, the Yaldhurst and War Memorial Shields, in their possession, the triumphant Auckland representative team returned from Wellington last Tuesday morning. On account of the team's success, the sport in Auckland should benefit accordingly and be restored to the position in public favour from which it has seemingly declined in recent seasons. The only swimmer who did not return with the representative team was Miss E. Stockley, who is undertaking an educational tour in the South Island with Miss K. Miller, of Wellington, and the ex-lady diving champion, Miss L. Hood, of Napier. Miss Stockley is acting as ehaperone. In the competition among seniors for the Yaldhurst Shield Auckland gained 44 points, which are distributed as follows:—G. Bridson 12 (two lirsts, two thirds), Miss E. Stockley 11 (two firstß, one third), Mise D. Grant 7 (two seconds, one third), D. P. Lindsay 6 (two seconds), Miss E. Champion and W. Hassan, one each. The remaining six points were obtained by the flying squadron relay and water polo teams who were runners-up in their respective events. As the early stages of the championships have already been dealt with in these columns the last session only remains to be discussed. After his win in the 880 yds men's championship Bridson's success in the quarter-mile event was not unexpected, although he was hard pressed all the way to defeat his rival, A. Stokes (Canterbury), the 220 yds and one mile champion. Both men swam splendidly, for Bridson's time, 5m 24 4-ss, was* only 2-5s outside the New Zealand record which D. P. Lindsay put up in Auckland two years ago. The victories registered by Bridson in the quarter-mile and half-mile championships were especially gratifying in that Auckland can once more claim to supply a middle-distaiK-e champion. At last year's championshi > meeting Auckland lost the Yaldhurst Shield to Canterbury simply because the southern centre furnished the winner and runnerup iu the distance events. The points gained by Bridson and Lindsay, who could only compete in two event 3, materially helped to win the shield for Auckland this year. The only swimmer to break a New Zealand record on the iinal day of the championships was Miss K. Miller (Wellington), who clipped 1 3-5s off Miss G. Shand's mark of Cm 8?. Miss Miller swam strongly and it was apparent that she was aiming to make new figures for the distance.

Although second to Miss Miller in both the 220 yds and 440 yds events, the Aucklander, Miss D. Grant, supplied one of the features of the championship meeting, for she improved out of all sight on her local form. Her times over both distances were seconds faster than those she has returned in Auckland. The speedy Wellington flying squadron team scored a comfortable victory over Auckland in the 500 yds relay championship. Although it had no chance of winning the Auckland team performed disappointingly, as R. Sillars who was sent down Irom Auckland to ewim specially in this race, did the fastest "hundred." his time being (51 4-ss. lhe Auckland champion, J. P Farrell 2h- b f d i jUSt mana K e d to touch ahead of R. Pelham, who is by no means a fast sprinter. Farrell might have done better time had he not taken things so easily over the first fifty yards liack of combination and a palpably ;; f t f 7" d « ne about the defeat of the Auckland team by the Wellington A team in the final of the water polo championship. The team muet be given credit for reaching the final as it was by no meane the strongest that could be put in, for through the absence of some of the most prominent local players, who could not make the trip it was composed mainly of supporters travelling with the swimmers. Aβ already mentioned, the forwards, M Honeyfield J. D. Farrell, and G. Brideon, played badly, and by weak throwing and handling lost several certain goals. Honeyfield and Farrell would have no chance of gaining a place in a reallv strong Auckland team. The goalkeeper, U. Hyauiason, was quite unused to his position, but he came through all his matchee well, bringing off some good saves. J. Enright played his usual fine game, while G. Hedges and H. Moore were solid. The local Centre has always been keen to capture the water polo trophy, but it has not the funds to defray the expenses of a representative combination. To ensure representation by ae strong a team as possible at future championship meetings the water polo selector should, say about a month previous to the championship, ask swimmers likely to go as competitors and others who intend to accompany the team to attend practices at least twice weekly. By this means a strong combination, capable of extending the best opposing it, could be obtained.

Brilliant Swimming. The brilliant swimming of Miss D. Robertson, the New Zealand intermediate girl champion, and G. Bridson was the outstanding feature of the Grammar Club's eecond carnival, held on Wednesday evening. Remembering her splendid performances at the Dominion championships, a large number of unofficial timekeepers had their watches on Mies Robertson ' (ecr) in the 10Q yards ladies', handicap. All clocked her to do an exceptionallyfast time, but it came as a surprise when her time was announced as 65 2-5s (breaking Mies Stockley'e New Zealand record by one-fifth second) and that of Miss D. Grant (ls)j with whom she deadheated, as 66 2-ss. There is much doubt as to whether Mies Robertson's time was correct, as most of the private timekeepers seemed to take her time at 6C 2-5s and 66 3-ss. Moreover, Miss Grant has never been known to better 68s, although she was certainly sprinting better than ever before. There is a certain amount of doubt about the time credited to her. From all appearances a mistake was made in computing the times, which most likely should be: Miss Robertson, 66 &ss; Miss Grant, 67 2-ss. Whatever time was, ehe must be regarded as the coming senior champion and record holder of the Dominion, while she shows promise of making New Zealand's name still larger in the sport overseas. Mja&

Robertson intends shortly to attempt to lower her intermediate record of 68 2-ss. She should have no difficulty in doinpr' this, while it would cause nosurpriee if I she improves on Miss Stoekley's senior mark. In -winning hie heat of the 220 yds open handicap from scratch, G. Bridson was responsible for another splendid swim for his time, 2.31, equalled the Dominion record which A. Stokes put up in winning the 220 yds men's event at the national championships. Before the season closes Bridson should improve still further on this time. A large party of local swimmers will leave for Helensville on Saturday to participate in the annual long distance race in the afternoon and a carnival in the evening. Both these fixtures have been arranged by the Helensville Club. The Aucklanders will return to town on Sunday evening. The Waitemata Club will hold its second carnival of the season on Tuesday evening next, when the 100 yds New Zealand champion and record holder, W. Cameron, will appear in special events. The following programme has been drawn up: 100 yds, first-class invitation handicap, 100 yds ladies' handicap, 440yde open handicap, 50yds junior boys' and girle' handicaps (under 15), 66 2-3 yds novice handicap, and novelty and divin« events. * °