FAST TIMES IN SWIMMING

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26030, 6 February 1950, Page 9

FAST TIMES IN SWIMMING

Miss M. McQuade’s New Record N.Z. WINS MEN’S RELAY From Our Own Reporter AUCKLAND, February 6. Although the water in the Newmarket Olympic pool is regarded as being slew, two Empire records were broken when the swimming sectionof the Empire Games began on Saturday evening. Outstanding performances were given by the younger swimmers, especially of Misses Marjorie McQuade, aged 15, of Australia, Winifred Griffin, holder of all the New Zealand junior freestyle titles, Lucien Beaumont, aged 17, of Canada, and the New Zealand distance champion, F. R. Lucas. Only two finals were decided. In the women’s 440 yards relay, the New Zealand team swam with rare promise to fill second place to the Australians, who included three Olympic representatives, in Marjorie McQuade, Denise Spencer, and Judy Joy Davies, the team being completed by Denise Norton. The winners bettered the Empire Games record of 4min 48.3 sec. P. Salmons (Canada) had the fastest time of the evening in his. heat of the 110 yards, 60.7 sec. The surprise of the second heat was thC showing made by the young Quebec swimmer. L. Beaumont. He touched just ahead of F. H. O’Neill (Australia), but it will not be surprising if O’Neill improves on his time in the final. Young Swimmers Young swimmers dominated the 110 yards women’s freestyle. The first heat was a thrilling tussle between Winifred Griffin and Joan Harrison (South Africa). The New Zealander had a lead of two yards in the second lap and though the young South African was closing the distance at the finish, touched first by a foot. Miss Griffin equalled the Empire record of 70.1 sec. Norma Bridson, one of New Zealand’s most versatile and consistent performers, gave a splendid performance to lead the second heat in 71sec. The first Empire Games record was credited to Marjorie McQuade (Australia) in the third heat, the young Olympic swimmer going away from the field in

the second lap to return 69.45ec, onefifth of a second better than the previous record. In this heat the New Zealand senior champion, Kristin Jacobi, fell back in the second lap and, timed at 73.45ec, did not’ qualify. Lucas, who has a perfectly relaxed and most proficient style, swam an excellent race ip the 1650 yards, and was in front all the way. Donald Bland (England) finished only a touch behind. Barry Kelleway, aged 15, is Australia’s hope in this event, as Garrick Agnew was withdrawn. Kelleway was first home in his heat by 70 yards from Colin Chambers.

Good Performances in Relays Swimming of the highest standard was produced in the women’s relay. New Zealand led for two laps but Australia gradually forged ahead’ to win by five yards in new Empire Games record time. With a well-balanced team in Barry, Lucas, N. Chambers, and Amos, New Zealand sprang a surprise in. the 880 yards men freestyle relay and won by 10 yards. In the first water polo test, Australia outclassed New Zealand. The Australians showed more speed in the water, their handling was superior, and although they infringed more than the home side, they were better in positional play. Results:— 100 Yards Freestyle ' (Six fastest times qualify for final) First Heat.—P. Salmon (Can.), 60.7 sec; J. Wild (S.A.), 61.2 sec; P. Kendall (Eng.), l 61.8 sec; M. Amos (N.Z.), 61.9 sec; J. Beard (Aus.), 63sec; L. Barry (N.Z.), 63.25ec. Second Heat.—Beaumont (Can.), 60.9 sec; F. O’Neill (Aus.), 60.9 sec; R. Legg (Eng.), 63.25ec; O. Hanan (N.Z.), 64.45ec; A. Kinnear (Scot.), 66sec; D. Arndt (Cey.), 66.75ec. ’ Qualifiers: Salmon, Beaumont, Wiid, Kendall, O’Neill, Amos. 110 Yards Women’s Freestyle (Six fastest times qualify tor final) First Heat.—W. Griffin (N.Z.), 70.1sec—equals Empire Games record; J. Harrison (S.A.), 70.5 sec; D. Spencer (Aus.), 71.5 sec; L. Preece (Eng.), 73sec; K. Me--Namee (Can.), 74.95ec; S. Gaddum (Cey.), 74.95ec. Second Heat.—N. Brldson (N.Z.), 71sec; M. Girvan (Scot.), 71.flsec; I. Strong (Can.), 72.1 sec; B. Hosking (Aus.), 7B.7sec; C. Wood (Eng.), 78.5 sec. Third Heat.—M. McQuade (Aus.) 69.4 sec—breaking the Empire Games record; M. Wellington (Eng.), 71.1 sec; C. Miles (Can.), 72.4sec;*E. Turner (Scot.), 72.8 sec; K. Jacobi (N.Z.), 73.45ec. Qualifiers: M. McQuade, W. Griffin, J. Harrison, M. Wellington, N. Bridson, D. Spencer. 1650 Yards Men’s Freestyle (Six fastest times qualify) First Heat.—R. Lucas (N.Z.), 20min 11.2 sec; D. Bland (Eng.), 20min ll.fisec; G. Johnston (S.A.), 20min 25.75ec; J. Portelance (Can.), 21min 9.Bsec. Second Heat.—B. Kellaway (Aus.), 20min 55.35ec; C. Chambers (N.Z.), 21min 46.65ec; L. Portelance (Can.), 22min 4.ssec. 440 Yards Women’s Freestyle Relay Australia (D. Spencer, D. Norton J. Davies, M. McQuade), 1; New Zealand (K. Jacobi, N. Bridson, W. Griffin, J. Hastings), 2; England (G. Wood, H. Yates, L. L. Preece, M. Wellington), 3; Canada, 4. Time, 4min 44.9 sec—breaking Empire Games record. 880 Yards Freestyle Relay New Zealand (M. Amos, L. Barry, C. Chambers, R. Lucas), 1; Australia (F. O’Neill, D. Agnew, J. Beard, B. Kellaway), 2; England (R. Legg, D. Bland, P. Kendall, J. Hale), 3; Canada, 4. Time, 9min 27.75ec. Water Polo Australia (O. Doerner, P. J, Bennett, P. E. Johnston, C. V. French. H. Doerner, and J. G. Amadee) beat New Zealand (J. Walsh, C. Brown, W. F.- Williams, T. Logan. J. Cameron, R. Hatchwell, and C. N. Williams), 11-4.