EMPIRE GAMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1938, Page 5

EMPIRE GAMES

ENGLAND WINS EIGHT-OAR NEW ZEALAND THIRD [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] SYDNEY, February 9. The weather was warm and sultry

with no wind when the crews went to the start of the eight-oar rowing event in the Empire Games. The riverbanks and the finishing reserve were well lined with people. Just before the start light rain fell. The Australians arrived at the starting point, first, followed by England and New Zealand. All the crews looked in perfect condition. Australia, and England did a few practice starts. New Zealand approached the line quietly. The crews got away to a'perfect start. New Zealand, rating 34, showed out first, but Australia, starting at 40, quickly came away from England and led by a quarter of a length at 150 yards, which was increased to one and a quarter lengths at. the quarter-mile post. New Zealand was then a quarter of a length behind England.

Approaching the half-mile. Australia was still one and a-quarter lengths ahead of England, with New Zealand three-quarters of a length to the rear. The ratings were: Australia 38, England 36, New Zealand 36. All the crews were rowing well. Just before the three-quarter mile post, Neglands, the English stroke, made a determined effort and, still rating 36. gradually wore down Australia and forged ahead at. the mile post. New Zealand was then a length and a-half behind Australia, which came at England again while, approaching the bridge. New Zealand put in a. finishing sprint, but. England finished with too much in hand to win by three-quarters of a. length, with two lengths between Australia and New Zealand. It. was a fine race, England’s crew rowing throughout with apparent ease. The fours started in a heavy shower of rain. The crews got away to an excellent start. New Zealand and Australia were level for the first 100 yards with Canada a quarter of a length back. At 150 yards Australia was aquarter of a length in front, of New Zealand. At the half-mile Australia was moving gradually away from New Zealand, and Canada was making a strong effort to catch up. Fraser, the Australian stroke, had his crew nicely with him, and appeared to have the race well in hand. Approaching the bridge, the rain stopped, but a strong head wind rose. New Zealand was rowing well, but could make no impression on Australia, which continued to go away and win by a length and a-quarter, with three-quarters of a length between second and third. The sculls were rowed in bright sunshine. Smith broke the line and the scullers were recalled, but at the second attempt there'was a perfect start. Smith was the smartest away, and led at the 100 yards. Turner then appeared on the scene, and at the quarter-mile led by a length from Jackson, with Smith a quarter of a length away. Turner had his boat moving well, and was showing plenty of power and leg drive. From the halfmile only an accident could have prevented his victory. Smith sculled gamely and, approaching the bridge, made a fine effort. Turner, however sprinted and won easily by five lengths, with four lengths between second and third.

Although New Zealand held the lead for the first. 100 yards in the double sculls, Australia quickly overcame the opposition and the race developed into a procession with Australia going further away to win by nine lengths. Results: —

Eight Oar

England, No. 1 position: J. Eurrough (12st 11b.) bow, B. Beazley (list 61b) two, R. Hambridge (13st 51b) three, J. Sturrock. (14st 11b) four. P. Jackson (13st 41b) five, J. Turnbull (13st Bib) six. D. Kingsford (12st Sib) seven, T. Turner (Idst 121 b.) stroke, W. Reeve cox .. 1 Australia, No. 2 position: W. Thomas (lOst 121 b) bow, F. Le Souef (12st 41b) two, G. Yewers (12st 91b) three, R. Paramour (12st 131 b.) four, E. Bromley Cl 2st 61b.) five, W. Dixon (13st Sib) six, A. Gould (13st) seven, A. Gregory (list 131 b) stroke. D. Bowden, cox . . . . •• • • 2

New Zealand, No. 3 position: L. Pithie (list) bow, 0. Denison (12st) two, J. Charters (12st 51b) three, H. Benge (12st) four, A. Jackson (14st 71b) five, C. Stiles list 111 b) six, F. Thompson (12st 71b) seven, R. Gould (13st 81b) stroke, W. Stoddart, cox .. .. 3 Won by three-quarters of a length; two lengths between second and third. Time 6 min 29sec. Four Oar Australia, No. 2 position: G. Freeth (12st) bow, J. Fisher (12st. 111 b) two, S. Elder (12st 91b) three, D. Fraser (list 121 b) stroke, H. Kerr, cox 1 New Zealand, No. 1 position: J. Rigby (list) bow, K. Boswell (list) two, A. Hope (list 101 b) three, O. Clayton (12st) stroke, G. Burns, cox . . . . .. 2 Canada, No. 3 position: J. Temple (list 71b) bow, M. Winkler (12st 101 b.) two. D. Davis (14st 21b) J. McDonald (12st 91b) stroke, K. Jaggard, cox • .. .. .. 3 Won by a length and a quarter; three-quarters of a length between second and third. Time 7min 1G 4-ssec. Single Sculls 11. J. Turner, list 111 b (Australia). No. 2 position 1 P. H. Jackson. 13st 41b. (England) No. 1 position 2 R. B. Smith, list 41b. (New Zealand) No. 3 position 3 ■Won by five lengths, four lengths between second and third. Time Bmin 24sec. Invitation Double Sculls Australia 1 England .. .. • ■ 2 New Zealand .. . • 3 Won by nine lengths; 10 lengths between second and third. Time, 7min 29 2-ssec. PRESS COMMENTS. SYDNEY, February 10. The "Herald” says: The eights’ race was a triumph for Turner, who only went into the stroke seat of the English boat twelve days ago. It was a drastic change to make, and that the English crew won so brilliantly was not only a tribute to the stroke, but

proof that in a short period, the crew had blended into Turner’s style, and. made up a machine-like combination, which gave the boat an incessant run and smoothness.

Australia won the fours in brilliant style, although strong combinations irom New Zealand and Canada, fought desperately to hold the Australian four. Fisher, setting his crew a long stroke, never let up. Turner, sculling right up to the top of his form, gave a. great display to win the sculls. Smith was placed at. a disadvantage by the head windThe showing of Smith and Jackson in the double sculls could easily be understood, as both had had hard' races earlier in the afternoon.

SWIMMING AND DIVING SYDNEY, February 9. The swimming events in the Empire Games were continued at the Olympic Pool this afternoon, when the diving competitions took the most prominent part in the programme. The performances generally were patchy, but some of the dives -were outstanding. The New Zealand girl, Gwen Rix. was meeting better competition than she had ever seen before, but her performances compared very favourably with the others.

Hannan appeared to tire in the last few yards of the men's 110 yards freestyle event, but his time was quite creditable.

In the 880 Yards Men's Relay. Pirie (Canada) did 220 yards in 2min 13sec. an Australian record. Wainwright, who will tour New Zealand in April, took 2min 15.1 sec. Results: — 110 YARDS FREESTYLE (Men) Final. Pirie (Canada) .. .. 1 Collard (South Africa) .. 2 Fleming (Australia) .. .! Won by twb yards, a. foot between second and third. Time: s!).6sec. an Australian record. Hannan (New Zealand) was fifth. His time was Gl.3sec. He was well placed 20 yards from home, but then fell back. 110 YARDS FREESTYLE (Women) Final

De Lacey (Australia) .. 1 Green (Australia) .. .. 2 Lyon (Canada) . . . . 3 Won by half a yard; two yards between second and third. Time, 70.1 sec. SPRINGBOARD DIVING (Women; Donnett (Australia). 91-18 1 Adams (Canada). 88-27 .. 2 Sharkey (Canada), 81-66 .. 3 Miss Donnett gave a very consistent display. Miss Rix was sixth with 6586. She was unlucky to miss in her first dive. The general opinion is that she is diving much better than when she arrived, and is showing- more finish. / 880 YARDS RELAY (Men.) England . . . . ~ 1 Canada 2 Australia . . . . 3 Won by two yards; five yards between second and third. Time. 9min. 19sec.

SPRINGBOARD DIVING I Men) Masters (Australia), 126-36 1 Tomalin (England). 124-78 2 Athans (Canada), 117-90 .. 3 All competitors were inconsistent, but some brilliant dives were seen. HIGH TOWER DIVING (Women) Hook (Australia). 36-47 .. 1 Adams (Canada), 36-39 .. 2 Donnett (Australia), 34-57 .. 3 HIGH TOWER DIVING (Men) Tomalin (England), 109-74 1 Masters (Australia), 102-87 2 Athans (Canada) 98-93 .. 3 FINALS DECIDED

SYDNEY, February 9. All the races to-night were finals, and the results were as follow: — 440 Yards Free-style, men, final: — Pirie (Canada) .. .. 1 Leiver (England) .. .. 2 Biddulph (Australia) .. 3.

Won by two yards: a touch. Time 4.54.6, a Games record. The race was an exciting contest between Pirie, Wainwright, Biddulph, and Leivers (England), but Pirie forged ahead in the last lap. and had a good margin at the finish. lit) Yards Backstroke. women, final: Norton (Australia) .. 1 Grenland (Wales) .. .. 2 Hamilton (Scotland) .. 3 Won by four yards; a yard. Time 1.19.5, an Australian record, it was a close race throughout, Norton forging to the front in the last lap. 440 Yards Freestyle, women: Green (Australia) .. .. 1 .Jeffrey (England) .. .. 2 Leydon (New Zealand) .. 3 Won by two yards. Time 5.39.7, a Games and Australian record. Jeffrey’s time was 5.40.2. The only New Zealand competitor left was Mona Leydon. She swam an excellently-judged race. She lay fourth in the early stages, but turned second at the last lap. She was only a yard behind Green at the final turn, and appeared then to have a good chance of winning. However, Green spurted, and the English girl, Jeffrey, came up very fast to beat Miss Leydon for second place. Miss Leydon’s time was 5.42, which is 3 3-ssecs below the Empire Games record. 220 Yards Breastroke, men: Davies (England) .. .. 1 Spence (British Guiana) 2 Prentice (Canada) .. 3

Won by ten yards; two yards. Time 2.51.9. an Australian record. Davies went to the front at once, and increased his lead throughout. WRESTLING SYDNEY, February 9. Wrestling bouts at the Empire Games were continued to-day, with the following results: — Light Heavy-weight Scarf (Australia) beat Ward (Scotland) on points. Greenspan (South Africa) heat Anderson by a fall. Greenspan went to the mat with Anderson on top and the referee ruled a fall, but the judges disagreed. Next minute Anderson went down again, and a fall was awarded. Scarf beat Anderson by a fall. Scarf attacked strongly and took a fall after four minutes. Greenspan heat Ward on points. Heavy-weight Knight (Australia) beat Whelan (Canada) by a fall. Dryden (New Zealand), beat Dud.:

geon (Scotland) on points. Dryden worked hard continually, and took Dudgeon to the mat. He gained a popular win. Dryden beat Whelan on points. Knight beat Dudgeon by a fall.

lt BOWLING J SYDNEY, February 9. South Africa won the singles title in the bowls section, H. Harvey beatP ing J. Low (Australia) in the fifth ° round hy 25 points to 15. |T - Harvey went through the competition unbeaten. F. Livingstone (New n Zealand) was second with four wins e and J. Low (Australia) third with ct' three wins. The fours match between Australia and Canada produced a sensational finish. Australia had a commanding lead at the tenth head of 16 —2. Canada drew to IS —20 with one head to go. e On the last head Australia was lying c one when the Canadian skipper car--5 ried the jack into the gutter to lie t three. The Australian skipper, Kinder, - just failed to score, and Canada elimt inated Australia from the fours by one point. . Results: — SINGLES Fifth Round —Livingstone (New . Zealand) beat W. Bourne (Rhodesia), • 26-9. Bourne was unable to extend ‘ Livingstone. PAIRS Fifth Round —Macey and Denison (New Zealand.) beat Hutton and Mildren (Australia), 25-21; Benjamin and Taylor (Fiji) beat Templeton and McAlpine (Scotland), 22-13. FOURS Fifth Round —Bremner’s New Zealand rink’beat Shuttle. Cuthbert. Tappenden, Hiscock (England). 22-12; Dobell’s (Fiji) rink lost to Donaldson’s (South Africa) rink. 12-30. NEW ZEALANDERS WIN. SYDNEY. February 10. New Zealand won the pairs and fours titles, the former with four out of five wins. Actually, a play-off was necessary, -to determine the fours title, between Bremner’s and Donaldson's South African rink, Bremner winning 19/6; also a play-off was entailed for the third and fourth places, | resulting in Kinder's Australian rink i defeating Gray's Canadian rink 30/10. | A play-off to decide the second and I and third in the pairs resulted in Hut- | ton ami Mildren (Australia) defeating | D. Adamson and J. Appleford (South | Africa) 13/12. | The New Zealanders. Macey and I Denison, had a thrilling finish in their ■ pairs match with the Australians. I Hutton and Mildren. The latter were I down at the fourteenth, end, ibut. | when it was learned that the title I might be involved, they recovered to 15 all on the eighteenth end. The Aus-j tralians led on the next end. 21/19. but. the New Zealanders rallied and evened the scores to 21 all, and lay 5 four on the last end. Mildren, with s his last bowl, drove for a dead end. 8 but just missed. The New Zealanders j won. 25/21. P RII’LE-SIIOO TING SYDNEY. February 10. For the rifle-shooting, the conditions were. good. The Englishman, Corporal L. Hoddle, aged 26, established a record for the first stage of the King’s Prize, hy gaining a treble possible on the bull’s eye. which had been reduced | in size. He leads with 105, in seven | shots at 300. 500 and 600 yards, from | 1400 competitors. Butterworth, 103, | won £3; Feist 101, £2; Soler 101. | 30/-; Symonds and Parkinson 100, I CrGxton, Nicholls, Wrigley, Farley, | Smith 88, Ilickinhotham, Harris, Nix, j Donald 98. all won £l. Tyros: Olivet, g Clark and Purvis, 97, won £l. In the Holmes Match, eight shots at g uGOyds, Hunt, Soler, Bowes and Spry, S all 32, won £l. g In ihe Woolcoll Forbes aggregate (possible 300), West 286, won £1; | Parkinson and .lames 284, £3; Bowes I and Soler 282; Feist, C’roxton, Me- i Kcnz.ie, Smith 279; Farley 278, Mase- | field and Cronlie 276. Jeune 275. Wrig- | ley 274, Nix 273, all won £l. Tyros: I Purvis 281, won £3; Clark 266 won) | 30/-.

JUDGES CRITICISED SYDNEY, February 10. A charge that the diving judges were incompetent, was made by the manager of the Canadian team. Mr. Robinson. In the women’s hightower event, Hook (Australia) beat Adams (Canada) bv 36.47 points to 36.39.

“Our gil l was robbed, and 1 do not care if the whole world knows it. The judges do not seem to know (he rules of diving, and certainly do not know what the different dives are. The variation in points for some of the dives made it. obvious that much of the judging was guesswork,” declared Mr. Robinson.