UP TO STANDARD

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 7

UP TO STANDARD

WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVES (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") DUNEDIN, This Day. The last night's programme o£ the national swimming championships was fully up to the standard of its predecessors, and the meeting all through has been a very successful one. The Wellington competitors have had a fair measure of wins, including the War Memorial Shield. The first event was the quarter-mile championship. There were four starters. Pelham did not start owing to a severe cold. The usual procedure of Lindsay going to the lead was again seen, and at the 100 yds he turned three yards in front of Stokes. Claridge and M'Lean, who were all together when the half-way mark was reached, Lindsay increased his advantage to ten yards, Stokes having a margin of a yard from Claridge, who was a similar distance in front of M'Lean. Over the remaining distance the leader played with his field, and won by 40yds, with Stoked 10yds in front of Claridge. The record (Pelham's) was broken by 10 2-ssec. W. Cameron retained his title in the intermediate breast-stroke, but at one stage it looked as if Magee was going to be a hard proposition. They both turned together for the last lap, and swam evenly for a short way. The Wellington boy shot to the front and won comfortably. The ladies' quarter-mile championship was disappointing, only Misses Miller and Grant starting. It can hardly be described as a race, as Miss Miller took the lead from the start, and, swimming strongly, won easily, and lowering the record by 32sec. Miss Pidgeon was the only entrant in the ladies' breast-stroke, and her mission was to endeavour to lower the record. In this she was successful, ~ clipping 4 4-ssec from Miss Brewardei's previous time. The sprinters showed their paces in the 50yds scratch invitation, and it was a fine race. Claridge and Dowsett got the best of the start, and the latter immediately clapped on the pace. Enwright was up with them at the turn, but Dowsett turned beautifully, and, although hard pressed, he won by six inches. Cameron was going faster than anyone at the finish, and with a few yards to go would have troubled the winner. Fairgray also finished fast. Enwright and Claridge were both fading at the finish. Leask was Wellington's first man in the flying squadron, and he gave Blakely a slight advantage, which he lost in starting. However, he swam well, and gave Pelham a four-yard load. Moving extremely well, Pelham held this gain, and when Claridge left it looked good for Wellington. Auckland, with Enwright and Fairgray, and Canterbury, with Atkinson and Lindsay, made great efforts, but Claridge held the lead, and W. Cameron gained a popular victory for Wellington. All the members of the team, performed creditably, averaging 63 l-ssec per man, which is the fastest yet recorded. The diving was noticeable for some excellent . performances. The title-holder, Miss Hood, especially executing Some splendid efforts. In the men's section Calder scored a very popular win for Otago, and without doubt dived consistently, sometimes with brilliancy to make up the leeway of a spoilt dive on Thursday. Walker and Hicks must have been very close for second honours. The latter appeared to dive in good style, and was considered a prospective winner, .but the screw dives found him out. The points for the Yaldhurst Shield are as follow: Canterbury SO, Otago 29, Auckland 28, Wanganui and Wellington 8, Hawkes Bay 5. The War Memorial Shield competition resulted: Wellington 5, Auckland and Wanganui 3, Otago 2, Hawkes Bay 1, Canterbury nil. The wins only count for the latter trophy. POLO COMPETITION. Wellington were eliminated from the polo competition on Thursday night, when they were drawn to meet Canterbury at the "Swimmers" Carnival. As a game it was probably the best seen for many Seasons, and the general opinion was that the North Islanders only required a little ]uck to have been the winners. Their dis)lay must have satisfied their supporters, snd it was a meritorious performance to he at least the equal of a strong Canterbury team. The game Started off at a sirong pace, with both sides endeavouring to gain an advantage. After two minu;es' play Meikle delighted the Canterbury supporters by scoring a goal, but hardly hsd play resumed when Murrcll cqualis«d from the throw-in. Canterbury by a snippy movement gained the lead per medium of Stokes, but.this did^nqtlast long.,

From ii good movement the ball eventually got to Murrell, who scored with a brilliant angle shot. Just prior to halftime J. Cameron, witli a long dropping shot, put Wellington in the lead, amidst applause. On resuming Wellington immediately went to the attack and pressed strongly with successful result, Pelham putting them two up with n pretty shot. The advantage was further maintained when the pressure was continued, Murrell scoring after nice combined play, which put bis team five up. The result looked good for Wellington, but Canterbury took the opportunity of a slight slackening on Wellington's part, enabling Meikle to reduce the margin. Hardly had the game continued when Wheeley Scored, making the score 5-4. Time ivas gradually getting near, and Wellington's supporters were encouraging the team to the utmost. A great effort which promised success was marred by a deliberate foul to Murrell, who was temporarily out, and a good chance was lost. With a last concerted attack Canterbury were able to equalise with a long shot by Meikle, and so a very fire game ended. Wellington drew with Auckland this morning, but as Canterbury were assured of the championship, no great interest was taken in the game. A friendly contest resulted, and ended in a draw, which placed Wellington in the position of not having been beaten in any game, scoring one win and three draws. The last game of the series, between Otago and Auckland could not affect the result of the competition, so it lacked interest. The Northerners had no difficulty m winning.