CONSISTENT FORM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 304, 23 December 1943, Page 7

CONSISTENT FORM

SWIMMING" HONOURS SEVERAL DUAL WINNERS The form of the first night was sustained when the Auckland swimming championships were concluded at the Olympic Pool, Newmarket, last night. The majority of the previous winners were successful again over a different distance, while one, B. Clench, with two successes last night, made his tally three. The outstanding reversal was the victory of N. Griffin over K. Grey in the 220 yards ladies' freestyle championship. This was the first time that Miss Griffin had beaten her rival, who has come through the various grades as champion. It was expected that the longer distance would suit Miss Griffin, who is stronger physically than her rival, but it was tactical judgment and not staying power which brought Miss Griffin success. With Miss Grey on the blind side, Miss Griffin took the lead in the first lap, but the former champion made up the leeway, about a length, and they touched together after the second lap. On the next Miss Griffin again drew into the lead, and with a much better turn increased it to a couple of feet over the length of her body. There was a lap to swim, but the race was already won. Miss Grey, though she finished as well as her opponent, had no chance of making good the water she had lost. Both swam the last 50 yards in their polished style, and without any apparent quickening of effort, and Miss Grey picked up slightly to finish just over a length behind. None of the competitors who had opposed this pair on the first night reappeared. Best Race of Night There were nine competitors in the 100 yards men's freestyle, one of the few events necessitating two heats, and it pi-ovided a splendid race in contrast to many of the two-competitor events. Clench won the fastest heat (655) and went a second faster to take the final narrowly. Later in the night lie had a duel with Peter Mathieson in the 440 yards breaststroke, and deposed the former champion by a touch. A. Woolley, who won the 220 yards intermediate boys' freestyle, was given a good race by B. Davidson, and his winning margin was much smaller than in the 440 yards. P. Martinson, best junior girl, had a duel with Jv- Russell before she won again, and N. Bridson, the intermediate girl champion, was not extended to take the 220 yards freestyle. She could have improved on her time of 3.11 2-5, which was 5s slower than Miss Griffin's time. Determination was shown by R Lucas to win the 220 yards junior boys' freestyle. He took the lead at the start but was closely pursued throughout by M. who touched first at the turn for the final lap. Lucas caught UP again and won a splendid race by a touch. Among other duel winners were Miss R. Stackpole, Miss N. Shaw, Miss M. Pasalich and Miss V. Radoyich. The diving competitions and exhibition diving added interest and set a good standard. Results were as follow:— lOOyda Men's Freestyle.—First heat: C. Ewen 1 o Williams 2. W. Martin 3. Time 66 2-55. Second heat: B. Clench 1, G Sellars 2, P. Mathieson 3 Time, 655. Final: Clench 1, Ewen 2, Williams 3. Won by a yard, with a foot between second and third. Time. 645. 440 yds Men's Backstroke.—P. Mathieson 1. The onlv competitor. Time. 6.22. 220 yds Ladies' Freestyle.—N. Griffin 1, K. Grey 2 Won by four feet. Time. 3.S 2-5. '220 yds Intermediate Boys' Freestyle.—A. Woolley 1 B Davidson 2, G. Johnson 3. Won by five feet, with four competitors practically in line for third place. Time, 2.54. 100 yds Junior Girls' Freestyle.—P. Martinson 1, I Russell 2 Won by a foot. Time. 81 1-Ss. ■220 ydS Intermediate Girls' Freestyle-N. Bridson I, G. Hill 2. V. Gardmer 3. Won by 10 yards. Time, 3.2 2-5. 100 yds Ladies' Backstroke.—R. Staekpole 1, J. Warbrick 2. Won by 10 yards. Time, 84s. 100 yds Intermediate Boys' Breaststroke.—B. Mar100yds' Intermediate Boys' Backstroke.—V. Elsenhut 1, M. Thompson 2, G. Moyses 3. Time, 1.24 ~7syds Intermediate Girls' Backstroke.—N. Shaw 1 B Kearney 2, J. Forbes 3. Time, 725. 440 yds Men's Freestyle.—B. Clench 1, P. Mathieson 2. Won by a touch. Time, 6.27. 100 yds Ladies' Breaststroke.—M. Fasallch , 1, J. Warbrick 2. Time, 1.26. 920vds Junior Boys' Freestyle.—K. Lucas 1, M. Fitness 2, P. Hood 3. Won by a loot. Time, 3.41 2 *looyds Men's Breaststroke.— J. Shanahan 1, R. Lovett 2, J. Scholcs 3. Time. 1.20 2-5. t nriiK' DivinK. — J. Phillips 1. Men's Diving.-J. Stewart (256.9pt5) 1, H. Nuteford (218) 2. G. Caldwell (192) 3. 75yds Junior Girls' Badovlch 1 D Scholes 2, Y. F.eed 3. Time, 1.23 4-5.