SWIMMING TITLES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 118, 12 February 1940, Page 12

SWIMMING TITLES

National Championships Open SATURDAY’S HEATS Finals Postponed Till Tuesday Tlie New Zealand senior national swimming championship meeting opened utßiikliford baths. Lower Hutt on Saturday morning, when heats in the men’s 100 yards freestyle, ami —6 vards breaststroke championships, and a round of the waler polo championship were held. There was a good attendance. Though threatening early, the sky cleared later, but in the afternoon a howling southerly sprang up. accompanied by heavy rain. As the weather showed no signs of improving toward eiemng the committee conducting the ehampionship meeting decided to postpone Saturday night’s programme till Tuesday night. The first heat of the 100 yards freestyle saw the six competitors remain almost together for the first 33 yards, O’Driscoll (Otago) just shading Millar (Southland). At the 50 yards mark both South Islanders began to tire and P. Hanau (Auckland) went to the lead. At the turn for the last lap it looked as if Hanan was going to establish a commanding lead, but. J. Clark (Wellington) and 11. G. Goldsmith (Canterbury) came on strongly and were going well to get to within approximately three feet of Hanan at the finish. Giving due credit to Clark and Goldsmith for then' hue fiiiishin- effort, it was obvious Hanau was not”over-exerting himself to maintain his winning position. Clark and Gold smith 'staged a keen tussle for the other positions, Clark gaining second by a touch. After going well ha “ the distance Millar compounded but in the last lap made an unavailing binn t to endeavour to gam a position. O Dns poll’s forte is not sprinting* , f , . . The second heat produced a line finishing 'PurtTy R. Hatchwell (Wellington) the holder of the title, and he outclassed i the Bav of Plenty hope, J M hiti, in, the final 25 yards. Hatchwell, and Mhiti drew away from the others in the second lap, both keeping together till about the lust f >s vards. when Hatchwell revealed bis superiority and went on to win i hr about two yards. D. 11. Symes (Canterbury) came through fast to be bale y a foot behind Whiti. •

Fast Breaststroke Heat,

In the first heat of the 220 yards breaststroke, H. Dyson (Otago) covered the distance in time that was 4-0 ot a second outside the record, which, incidentally. is held by himself. K- « (Southland), through a s , tr “!’h' u , u “° n r r i water effort at the start, established and maintained the lead for about luO yards, with Dyt-xm close behind second, and IX. Spry (Wellington) third. It was at this stage that Dyson revealed the great power behind his strong strokes; at the last 50 yards mark he overtook Shaw, and went on to win by two yards and a half. Spry never improved his position, and when Dyson clipped on the pace he lost ground, finishing third about e, gnt yards behind the winner. E. Lovett (Wanganui) was hopelessly out of it. The time in the second heat was much slower, and taking a line through both heats, it looks very much as if Dyson wilt recapture the title on Tuesday. S. Ihoonpsou (Hawke's Bay), and M. Shanahan (Auckland), had the race to themselves, Thompson winning by two yards. I. Robertson (Wellington), who finished third, was disqualified, and R. Geddes (Otago), who was welf back, was placed third. Detailed results: — 100yds. Men's National Freestyle Championship.—'First heat: P. Hanan (Auckland), 1 ; J. T. Clark (Wellington), 2; H. G. Goldsmith (Canterbury), S. Time, 56 4-5. Second heat: R. Hatcbwell (Wellington), 1: J. Whiti (Bay of Plenty), D. H. Symes (Canterbury), 3. Time, 56 1-5. 220yds. Men's National Breaststroke Championship.—First heat: H. Dyson (Otago), 1; K. Shaw (So-uthland), 2j K. Spry (Wellington), 3. Time, 3.1 3-5. Second heat: S. Thomson (Hawke's Bay), 1; M. Shanahan (Auckland), 2; R. Geddes (Otago), 3. Time, 3.13 1-5. Water Polo Championship.—-'Welling-ton B, 0; Canterbury, 0. Today’s Prograinnie. Heals in the 220 yards men’s freestyle, and 880 yards men’s freestyle, besides men’s and women’s diving, will be decided this morning, beginning at 10 o’clock, and the women’s 440 yards freestyle wlil be held this evening, beginning at 7.45. At 7.30, the mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. W. Andrews, will extend a civic welcome to visiting swimmers. Miss Mona Leydon, who is in Wellington, might be a competitor tonight.