SWIMMING TITLES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 15

SWIMMING TITLES

HATCHWELL BEATEN

FINAL OF 220 YARDS

(By Telegraph—Press . Association.)

INVERCARGILL, February 16,

Fast times and thrilling finishes marked the second series of races in the New Zealand swimming championships in the Invercargill baths this evening. In at least three events the winners went close to lowering New Zealand records, and it was only because of the slowness of the water that new records were not made. The standard of performances in all events was high, appreciably higher than that of the first night.

Miss Joyce Macdonald added another win to her long list of successes and gave Southland its first title of the series by winning easily the 100 yards, women's backstroke. She gave a magnificent performance.

Two other outstanding performances were given by P. Mathieson (Auckland) and P. Hanan (Auckland). In winning the 100 yards men's backstroke title, Mathieson returned 66 4-5 sec, only 3-ssec outside his own New Zealand record, and Hanan won the men's 220 yards free style championship in 2min 24 4-ssec, only 4-ssec outside his New Zealand record. Both Mathieson and Hanan established their records in fast water in Auckland.

The only champion to lose a title in competition this evening was L. Newell (Canterbury), who was beaten by his team mate, A. T. F. Stokes, in the 880 yds backstroke. Newell is obviously feeling the effects of a recent operation, but this does not detract from the performance of Stokes. The new distance champion has been in championship class for ten years, and this year he is swimming better than ever before.

Points so far for the Yaldhurst Shield, which is held by Auckland, are: Auckland 24, Canterbury 24, Southland 26, Otago 17, Wellington 8, Taranaki 5, Wanganui 1."

Results: —

880 yds Men's Backstroke.—A. T. F. Stokes (Canterbury), 1; L. Newell (Canterbury), 2; W. Johnson (Southland), 3. Won by 40ft, with a length and a half of the baths between second and third. Time, llmin 9sec.

100 yds Women's Backstroke. —J. Macdonald (Southland), 1; I. Purdie (Otago), 2; D. Mulvey (Southland), 3. Won by seven yards, with a touch between second and third. Time, Imin 16sec.

100 yds Women's Breaststroke. —W. Dunn (Otago), 1; C. Lynch (Southland), 2; J. Hannan (Southland), 3. Won by 20 feet, with five yards between second and third. Time, 85 2-5 sec.

220 yds Men's Free Style.—Final: Hanan (Auckland), 1; Hatchwell (Wellington), 2; Pascoe (Auckland), 2. Won by four yards, with a touch between second and third. Time, 2min 24 4-ssec.

440 yds Women's Free Style.—X. Grey (Auckland), 1; M. McGrath" (Southland), 2; A. Mair (Southland),' 3. Won by ten yards, with a length of the baths between second and third. Time, 6min 4 3-ssec.

100 yds Men's Backstroke. —P. Mathieson (Auckland), 1; C. Cliff (Canterbury), 2; D. C. Berry (Southland), 3. Won by a foot, with two yards between second and third. Time, 66 4-ssec.

Water Polo. —Canterbury beat Southland A, 8-3; Otago B beat S6uthland A 0-3.