ST. CLAIR WINS

Evening Star, Issue 21631, 29 January 1934, Page 10

ST. CLAIR WINS

SURF LIFE SAVING THRILLING COMPETITION Surf conditions were ideal yesterday for the annual contest .between Sumner and St. Clair Life Saving Chibs. Fortunately there was practically no “ rip,” as experienced on the occasion of the visitors’ last trip, and, although a fairly heavy sea was running, both supports and boltmen alike put up fast times in reaching their patients. The fine weather attracted a largo crowd of spectators, several thousand thronging the esplanade and beach throughout the afternoon. A particularly high standard was maintained by all "teams, and .the issue was always in doubt, St. Clair No. 1 team ultimately snatching victory from Sumner by the narrow margin of one point. Mr 11. H. Henderson was the superintendent, Messrs C. B. Lewis, J. L. MMndoe, and W. L. Wood were the judges, and Messrs T. Fogg and E. L. Macassev the timekeepers. Messrs J. Swan and H. D. Gillies were capable call stewards.

The teams in the order in which they took the water were as follow: — St, Clair No. J.—S. Jarvis (support), J. Faulks (belt), V. Aldous (first line), A. Beadle (second line), .1, Hay (third line), C. Elliot (reel), and Durand (patient). 1). Christopher wSs the instructor. St. Glair No. 2.—P. Mathiesoii (support), C. Durand (belt), H. James (first line), C. Gore (second line), W. M‘Al- - (third line), C. Saxton (reel), H. Tyrie (patient). 1. L. Turnbull was the instructor. .. St. Clair No. I.—W. J. Jarvis' (sup,port), Reg. Geddes (belt), J. M. Rodgerson (first line), C. Gladwin (second line), H. Devlin (third line), J- Swan (reel), H. Lewis (patient). H. D. Gillies was the instructor. Sumner.—N. J. MThail (support), L. Sutherland (belt), K. J. Lowry (first line), C. ,H. MThail (second line), D. Richardson (third line), S. G. Henry (reel). K. P. Herriott (patient). J. Frengley was instructor, THE CONTEST. The teams took part in "the march past, and presented quite an impressive sight. Cheers were exchanged, and St, Clair No. 3 was the first team to go out. The beltman was unfortunate in striking a heavy sea, and had a little difficulty in getting out. Sid. Jarvis (support) made fast time to the buoy,, and towed the patient in to the beltman. Too much rope out left the task of “ pulling in ” an arduous one for the linesmen, but on the whole the work was quite fair for a team comprised mostly of younger members. St. Clair, No. 2 team’s getaway was very good, and both support and, beltman went out fast. The line work was very fair, and the takeover good. All round this was a good performance. St. Glair No. 1 got . away very fast, both W. J. Jarvis and Geddes entering the water practically together. This team was particularly noticeable for its good line .work, and the beltman used good judgment in his swim to the buoy. Gillies anticipated the- breaker signals well, and the linesmen responded admirably. The, takeover was good but rather deep, and the general proficiency and smartness was very good. ( Sumner were quick to get away, and used the deep water linesman. Both support and beltman were fast getting out, Sutherland (belt) swimming a beautiful course to gain fastest time. Their takeover, top, was fairly deep, and their drill; although a little different from ! that -practised by the local teams, was carried out smartly and pro-, ficieiitly. THE PL AGINGS. Preceding water work the teams :were examined in resuscitation and- promotion of warmth, and the final, glacings were;— . . St. Clair No. 1, 983 points ... _ ... 1 Sumner, 97J points • • 2 St. Clair No. 2, 88 points ... ... 3 St. Clair No. 3, 60 points ... 4 ' W. J. Jarvis gained, the possible for fastest support, Sumner losing 3 points, while Sutherland, the fastest beltman, gained 2£ points for Sumner. St. Clair gained a point both for beltnian’s water work and care of line. Points for takeover Were equal, Sumner gaining Half, a point for captain’s control of team. Marks for reel control were equal, St. Clair gaining half a point for getaway. In the resuscitation drill both teams were 1 point off the possible in the promotion of warmth, and Sumner'gained one-half point in the resuscitation. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. The members of- the Sumner team were entertained at supper at the' St. Clair Club’s’ pavilion ■on their arrival from Christchurch on Saturday night, Mr H. Henderson presiding. The chairman extended a warm welcome to. the visitors and trusted that the competition would prove the most successful to date. He emphasised the fact that i interprovincial contests of this description did much to create both good fellowship and keener competition between the two clubs. He said that the St. Clair teams had profited by past encounters, and be hoped that the visitors would see a marked improvement all round in the performance bn the morrow. Mr D. Richardson, manager of the Sumner team, briefly replied, and thanked the chairman for his kind remarks, /and the hospitality shown to his team. He eulogised Mr Henderson’s remarks regarding the creation of keener interest in life saving, and hoped -that the local teams would benefit from the display. Mr L. Sutherland, captain of the Sumner Club, also spoke of the good to be derived from such competitions, and asked the chairman to accept a handsome and novel trophy to be competed for in future contests. Various toasts were honoured, interspersed with vocal and instrumental items, and a successful function was concluded with the singing of “ God Save the King,” and the interchanging of hakas. _ earthquake might have caused it. Ji/vyAfter the competition the teams adjourned to the Hydro Tea Rooms, after which the trophy was presented to the winning team. In the evening the visitors were-taken for a drive to the Aerodrome, and after several flights and an interesting hour spent in the workshops, the Sumner boys were farewelled on the station by a large crowd of St. Clair members.