SWIMMING ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20423, 27 November 1929, Page 15

SWIMMING ITEMS.

VISIT OF AUSTRALIANS.

ARRIVAL NEXT TUESDAY

PARNELL CLUB'S GYMKHANA

Jhe Australian swimming champions, Noel Ryan and Owen Griffiths, arc scheduled to arrive in Auckland next Tuesday. They will mako their initial appearance of a Dominion tour at carnivals conducted by the Auckland Centre at the Tepid Baths on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Ilailed as the greatest distance swimmer Australia has produced, excepting Charl(011, Ryan is regarded as Australia's "hope" for the next Olympic Games, lie has some wonderful performances to his credit and Sydney critics firmly believe that this season he should lower some of Charlton s records. Last season he won the quarter-mile and half-mile New South Wales championships in 5m 20 2-5s and 11m 2s respectively. It is understood that D. P. Lindsay, the New Zealand record-holder, will not oppose the Australians and will not compete in any championship events this season as he is unable to find the necessary time for training. His defection will rob the contests of considerable interest, as G. Bridson, the Dominion champion, is now the only opponent for the visitors over distances.

The New Zealand Council has granted the application of the Ilelcnsville Club for an appearance of tho Australians there 011 Saturday, December 7.

Little of note was accomplished at the Parnell Club's first gymkhana of the season on Saturday afternoon. Most of the events were confined to the club's members, who competed for various cups. Leading swimmers did not support the inter-club event and only two teams, Ponsonby and Parnell, contested the relay race, which the latter won by a narrow margin.

Miss B. Buttle, who was successful in two events, impressed as a young swimmer, who, with careful coaching, should develop into a fine sprinter, ller progress will be watched with interest as the season advances.

Another promising gill is Miss A. Ryan, who won the race for the girls' cup. She. is probably one of the best juniors in Auckland, but her style, too, could be greatly improved.

Much interest was detracted from the ladies' events by the failure of Miss P. Robertson to start. However, she was in the water and appeared to be moving quite attractively. She has managed to lose iier swinging arm-action and now favours the bent-arm recovery.

"Outstanding in the year's work," stated the report on swimming in schools, presented to the New Zealand Council at its meeting last week," was the achievement of Mr. L. Brighton, hon. educational officer for the Auckland Centre. Mr. Brighton extended his activities over the whole of the Auckland Education Board's district, his operations thus taking in the South Auckland Centre. The total number of Certificates issued by him and his assistant officers within this territory was 5068—804 merit, 1480 proficiency and 2748 learners—distributed to 169 schools. When it is remembered that the previous record for any centre was 2023, the remarkable nature of Mr. Brighton s achievement will be appreciated." Probably the most disappointed swimmer at the postponement of the combined carnival, which was to have been held this evening, is Bridson. He was to have attempted to lower Lindsay's quarter-mile record and had an excellent, chance of succeeding. However, he will not have long to wait before he will be given another opportunity, as he swims against the Australians over this distance next week.

WATER POLO MATCHES

GOOD STANDARD DISPLAYED".

Although the water polo season was opened at comparatively short notice the standard of play in the three games staged by the Auckland Water Polo Control Board at the Tepid Baths on Monday evening was very encouraging. \,hen players settle down to more serious training some interesting games should be provided as the season advances. The outstanding feature of the play was the sound beating .Mount Eden received at the hands of Waitcm.ita A. Mount Eden is only a shadow of the team which gained the honours last season and unless the newly-promoted players learn to handle the ball and combine more effectively, the team will finish the season very" 'low down in the championship ladder.

Waiteinata A promises to enjoy a most successful season and there are few teams able to withstand the forceful attacking of its forwards. Certainly, it is the fastest combination iri the competition. Perrin and Lindsay were the best forwards. the former scoring two goals. At half Enwright was a source of worry to the opposition with his elusive dribbling attacks from which lie scored two fine, goals. Although Ponsonbv won by a two-goals margin over Parnel'l the score did not. represent its superiority. A draw would have been a fairer indication of the relative merits of the teams. The game was strenuously-contested throughout, and there were occasional flashes of bright play. Raper and Brooking were hardworking forwards, the latter getting two goals for Ponsonby. Jenkinson played a reliable game at fullback, while Stevens defended his goal in good style. Steer, Withers and Wilson were outstanding for Parnell. The game between Grammar and Waitemata B proved a hard-fought battle, in spite of the fact that Grammar fielded the stronger and more experienced side and also had one player more than its opponents. Waiternata B was on the defensive throughout, Gee giving a finished display in goal. Grammar was unimpressive, the forwards especially being weak. Two teams benefited to the extent of a goal each through the opposing goalkeepers carrying the ball across their own goal line. Other players concerned should profit by this experience. The trouble could be remedied by the player taking up his position about a foot outside the goal mouth.

RUGBY FOOTBALL TEMPER.

SCENES DUE TO SPECTATORS.

What is the root cause of displays ot bad temper on football fields? Is it excitability on the part of the players, or excitement from spectators? asks a writer in an English paper. . Dr. D. Roeyn Jones, C.8.E., president of Monmouthshire Rugby Club, blames tho spectators. "Some of tho regrettable scenes are due entirely to want of control on the part of lookers-on," ho says. " Partisanship sometimes runs riot, and players are incited to overstep the hounds of fair play." Dr. Jones also appealed to Welsh crowds not to "barrack" referees. These words of warning are timely, but the fact is Uiat, Welsh Rugby crowds today are much less boisterous than in the old days, when it was a frequent occurrence for playing fields to be invaded and games