PECK SHIELD NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1937, Page 23

PECK SHIELD NOTES

Overhead conditions were Ideal for the Peck Shield harbour swim,.but the water was on the cool side. Nevertheless a ■ fine field of sixty faced the starter, and whije many of the competitors had little chance of ssuccess against the first and second place; getters, the race .was of an interesting nature. The winner, H. Downs, of the Maranui Club, outclassed the field, and over the last portion of the swim went right away from his opponents. In view of his known ability as a very strong swimmer, despite his deceptive appearance, he was' favourably handicapped, and one of the' fancies for the race. Besides winning so handsomely. Downs also gained third fastest time, and altogether his was a meritorious performance. He is a young swimmer who has improved steadily during the last few seasons, and in addition to his still-water performances, he has also proved himself a solid member of the Maranui club's life-saving team. Duggan, the Fetone club representative, also swam a.dogged race to ; gain second place. He endeavoured to stick to the winner over the latter part of the course, but Downs carried' too many guns. Duggan, however, swam steadily all through,-and stayed on well at,the finish. ' \

Fastest time and third place went to D. -Evans, also of the Maranui, Club, who put up a first-class performance. He made up ground right throughout particularly over the second half of the distance, and his, strong and powerful swimming left, most of his opponents standing. He is another young swimmer who has shown a decided improvement, and, being in great form, he has been a decided asset to his club. Like the winner, he is also a member of his club's life-saving team and registered some fine performances at the recent surf championships. ."

N. Milligan, ■ Lyall Bay, gained second fastest time, and is another young swimnvr who has gradually forged his \v " to the forefront. He was well back in the handicaps, but swam exceedingly well to' finish well up. C. Claridge, from the scratch mark, faced up to.his formidable task in his usual characteristic manner, and put in some good work towards the finish, as also did Fred Mollier, who was also near the scratch mark.

In winning the Peck Shield for the harbour : race, the Hutt team swam very consistently and teamed splendidly. Balfour and Warburton were together almost all the way, and, nursing the remaining members of their team, - they. finished right up in the places.to secure an easy win. "It was a good exhibition of tactics on their part and brought about the desired result in no uncertain manner. . ■ ./

The 50 yards Centre championship and the Walker and Hall Cup (flying squadron, 500 "yards) occupy a prominent place, on the programme of the Wellington Club's carnival, which is to be held at the Te Aro baths on Saturday, afternoon next. In addition, there are the annual contests for primary and secondary schools, events ' which usually bring forward a good entry and are productive of exciting , contests, while various interclub races help to make up a good afternoon's sport. Entries close tonight, and it is expected there will be a large number of competitors.