PROVINCIAL TITLES

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 13

PROVINCIAL TITLES

OTAGO SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS GEDDES’S OUTSTANDING EFFORTS Poorly patronised by the public, tbo Otago amateur swimming and diving championships, which were commenced at the municipal baths last night, did nob produce the swimming that was generally expected, the performances in many classes being most disappointing and well below championship requirements. In one or two instances, however, some really worth while ' times were registered. The entries were far trom satisfactory, and were in no way a credit to the swimmers of Otago, the best competition being provided in the Junior boys’ division, in which R. Oeddes, New Zealand junior boys’ 75yds breaststroke champion, was outstanding. His times in winning the 75yds and 100yds free-stylo junior provincial championships were good, but his best effort was in the 75yds breast-stroke event, in which he won comfortably in imin 3 4-ssec, which was only 1 l-ssec outside Leslie Olds’s New Zealand junior record, established in salt water. Geddes’s time probably constitutes a junior record for fresh water; though no time for such is contained m the Swimming Association’s handbook. Geddes, however, should just about shatter Olds’s record at tho national championships at Wellington. N. H. Bailey was the most successful competitor in the men’s championship, but was not pushed in either the 100yds or 440yds. The time in the former was fair (65 3-ssec), though below Bailey’s best, but it was slow in the 440yds; and tho same applied to tbo ladies’ 100yds, in which the only competitor (Miss M. Jepson) did not reproduce her best form. The junior girls’ titles were both won by Miss M. Bowley, a promising young swimmer, but the times in _ both 50yds ami 75yds were slow. Miss D. Foote won the ladies’ (living championship for the second time in succession, giving a very fair display, though not up to the form she showed in gaining second place at the last New Zealand championships. Miss Eggers’s diving showed improvement on last year’s. A former New Zealand champion in C. B. Lewis won the 220yds men’s breast-stroko championship in tho fair time of 3min 18 3-ssec, but had ho been pushed ho could have reduced this considerably.

Tlie most interesting event of the evening was the 133Jyds relay championship, in which St. Clair beat Kiwi after a thrilling race; ami the fact that Kiwi and St. Clair will meet tomorrow night in a challenge relay for the Olds Shield (for teams of six a side), at present held by St. Clair, should lend added interest to the second and final night of the championships. The meeting was capably controlled, thanks to the efforts of the president (Mr J. L, MTncloe), the secretary (Mr C. B. Lewis), and the usual willing hand of officials. The starter was Mr AV. Jenkins. Mr D. Bannatyne was the local ofliccr, and a capable and obliging Press steward was Mr J. Lewis. Present at the carnival was Mr .H. S. 'Williams, formerly president of the Canterbury Swimming Centre and a one time well-known athlete. The fixture will ho concluded to-morrow evening. Results:— CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS 100 YARDS MEN’S. N. H. Bailey (Kiwi) ... .... .... 1 AV. Boyd (Kiwi) and H. D. Gillies (Kiwi), dead heat 2 Only starters. .Bailey showed out from the start, and swimming with a nice smooth stroke ho increased his. lead .and-turned.-n. .yardahead of Boyd, who gained slightly on Gillies at the turn. Bailey ploughed along easily, and increased his lead to win by syds. There was a good race for second place, Gillies finishing fast over the last length, a dead heat resulting for second place. Time, 65 3-ssec. 220 YARDS MEN’S BREAST STROKE C. B. Lewis (St. Clair) 1 H. Clark (Kiwi) 2 Also started: A. Harrod (St. Clair). Lewis swam with a powerful stroke, and led all tho way to win by 10yds in fair time from the previous holder, Clark, who stuck to the former New Zealand champion well, though the latter won comfortably. Harrod withdrew with 1£ laps to go. Time, 3min 18 3-ssec. 220 YARDS INTERMEDIATE BOYS. B. Ken- (Dunedin) 1 Tho only competitor. Kerr swam pluckily on his own, but was a long way below championship standard, tiring very badly over the last few laps. He was reducing his arm stroke badly and dipping his elbow, the time being very slow. Time, 3min 37 2-ssec. 100 A ARDS LADIES. Miss M. Jepson (Dunedin) 1 Miss Jepson was the only starter, being paced by J. Fleming, also of tho Dunedin Club. Miss Jepson swam below hei best form, her arm stroke leaving a good deal to bo desired. She maintained a fairly even pace, but spurted over the last bit* though the time was slow. Time, 80sec. 50 YARDS JUNIOR GIRLS. Miss M. Bewlcy (Kiwi) 1 Miss 1. Gillies (Kiwi) 3 Only competitors. This was a slow race, both girls being new to championship swimming. Though neither girl was up to recognised cbiiinpionshii: standard. Miss Bewlcy showed promise and was possessed of a more finished stroke than her club mate. She led practically all tho way, and won by 6yds. Time, 47sec. 75 YARDS JUNIOR BOVS’ BREAST STROKE. R. Geddes (Kiwi) 1 J. H. M'Grcgor (Kiwi) 2 C. Elliot (Kiwi) 3 Only competitors. Geddes swam a great race, and had he been pushed would probably have broken the New Zealand record, of which ho came within 2sec. Geddes used a rhythmical stroke and had a powerful leg action, getting away fast and gradually forging ahead to win easily by Byds, though both of the others in tho race also swam well, there being a close finish for second place, which went to M‘Gregor by barely more than a touch. Time, Imin 3 4-ss'ec. 133 J YARDS RELAY. St. Clair (C. B. Lewis, A. Harrod, S. Fogg, and J. B. Sijnpson) ... 1 Kiwi (AV. Boyd, A. E. Short, H. D. Gillies, and N. H. Bailey) 2 Dunedin (Miss M. Jepson, J. Fleming, B. Kerr, and R. O. Calder) 3 Only starters. Tho most exciting race of the evening, and one of the best finishes .seen in the baths for a long time past, the time being good. The issue early resolved itself into a race between Kiwi and St. Clair, though the Dunedin swimmers went a plucky race. • Boyd fouled tho rope over the first length, and did not linish with much of an advantage from Lewis us a result. Short fell behind over the second length, but while Fogg went a fast length for St. Clair Gillies stuck to him pretty closely, though St. Glair’s hist man took over with 1 }yds to spare. Bnilev did his utmost to reduce the lead, and there was a great duel over the length. The Kiwi man swam over the rope, but finished strongly, there being tho smallest possible margin between St. Clair and Kiwi, <ho former getting a very close verdict. Dunedin was several yards bade Tima, bnin

75 YARDS JUNIOR BOYS. R. Geddes (Kiwi) ... 1 W. Jarvis (Dunedin) ... 2 J. H. M'Gregor (Kiwi) ... 6 Also started: Jarvis (Dunedin). Geddes again established a lead early, but W. Jarvis hung to him well, the Kiwi boy drawing away over the last 20yds, however, to win comfotably by 4yds, M'Gregor being 3yds back third. Time, 53 3-ssec. LADIES’ DIVING. Miss D. Foote (Dunedin) 1 Miss J. Eggers (Dunedin) 2 Only competitors. The diving was of a fair standard. Miss Foote was the more consistent all round, and had the better llight, also making a fairly good entry. One or two of Miss Eggers’s efforts were particularly good, but she did not command the same balance as Miss Foote, though the latter’s somersault was done in the rough. Miss Eggers did a fair somersault standing off the high board, but was inclined to double up on entering the water. Both did very fair Isauders as voluntaries, but Miss Foote gave the more finished display of tbo pair, and deserved her win. 440 YARDS MEN’S. N. 11. Bailey (Kiwi) 1 J. Fleming (Dunedin) 2 H. D. Gillies (Dunedin) ... 3 Only starters. The time was slow in this race, but Bailey did not have to exert himself, and ’swam easily practically all the way. Bailey opened up a gap over the iirsfc few lengths, and at tiro end of the fourth he led by Byds from ■ Gillies and Fleming, who were swimming almost in line. Bailey gradually increased his advantage, and spurting over the last 40yds won very comfortably by 15yds. There was a great duel for second place between Gillies and Fleming, who alternated in the lead nearly all the way. Fleming used a little more judgment over the last few laps, and bear Gillies for second place by a yard. Time, Cniin 41scc. 75 YARDS JUNIOR GIRLS’. Miss M. Bcwloy (Kiwi) 1 Miss I. Gillies (Kiwi) 2 Only starters. Miss Bewley led all the way, and won easily by 10yds, though the time was slow. Miss Gillies rolled badly, and, tiring towards the end, finished on the breast stroke. Time, 83sec. , 100 YARDS JUNIOR BOYS’. R. Geddes (Kiwi) 1 W. Jarvis (Dunedin) 2 J. 11. M'Gregor (Kiwi) 3 Also started; S. Jarvis (Dunedin). Geddes and W. Jarvis swam together over a fast first length, the pair turning almost simultaneously. Geddes swam the better course, however, Jarvis fouling tlie ropes, which cost him a couple of yards. Geddes turned tho second time with 4yds to spare, and, sprinting strongly, quickened his stroke to win in good time by 6yds > from W. Jarvis, M'Gregor being a similar distance back third. Time, 74seo. POLO BALL THROWING. J. L. M'lndoo (St. Clair) ... 1 A. Harrod (St. Clair) 2 Seven competitors. HANDICAP EVENTS. PLAIN DIVE. Miss O, Crowley, 4 points in ... ... 1 C. Elliott, 4 points m ... 2 A. M. Rix, scr 3 Also competed: G. Staples scr, A. Rennie 1 point in, Miss J. Munro 3 points in, R. O. Johnson 4 points in, and A. Knights 4 points in. Generally speaking, the diving was not up to the usual standard, though the three placed competitors all gave good displays. The trouble with most of the others was that they lost their balance in the air and failed to recover before entering the water. Miss Crowley gave a very neat display, showing considerable promise. Elliott, too, peffformed very wolk while Rix, the scratch competitor, did well enough to secure third place. He has given better exhibitions, however, and in one or two dives he twisted over. __ " "inn YARDS BREAST-STROKE, INTERCLUB. J. Burridge, ICscc 1 A. Harrod, ssec 2 J. Swan, 13sec 3 Also started: C. B. Lewis scr, J. Faulks llsec, H. R. Isaacs 13sec, and G. Carol 14see. Burridgo led all the way, the back-markers being unable to get up. He won by 3yds, Swan being a yard back third. Time, Imin 32 l-ssec. C 6 2-3 YARDS, INTERCLUB. First Heat.—R. Wilson (ssec) 1, S. Fogg (scr) 2, M. Taylor (6sec) 3. Five starters. Fogg swam a great race, and appeared to just get up at the finish. The decision, however, went to Wilson by a touch, the third man being less than a yard back. Time. 44 4-osec. Second Heat.—W. Hamilton (ssec) I. bliss M. Matbicson (Bsec) 2. J. Simpson (Isec) 3. Five starters. Won on the touch, a similar distance between second and third. Time, 44 3-osec. Hamilton ; 1 Fogg ... 2 Miss Matbicson 3 Simpson and Taylor did not start in the final. There was another good finish to this race, Hamilton winning on the touch, Miss Matbicson being close up third. Time, 44 2-ssec. CORFU DIVE. J. L. MMndoe ... 1 Three competitors.