SWIMMING CONTESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20465, 17 January 1930, Page 14

SWIMMING CONTESTS.

SUCCESS OF AUSTRALIANS.]

GRIFFITHS IN * FINE FORM.

AUCKLAND CHAMPION BEATEN. DOMINION RECORD BROKEN. / Delighting a record crowd with one of the finest displays of competitive racing ever witnessed in Auckland, the Australian swimmers, Owen Griffiths and Noel Ryan carried all before them at tho Mount Eden Amateur Swimming Club's carnival at tho Tepid Baths, last evening. Most remarkable of all was Griffiths' New Zealand record of 2m 24 2-5s in a splendid 220 yds. contest with Ryan and Gordon Bridson, who last Tuesday evening created the previous furlong record of 2m 26 l-ss. Only the famous Arno Borg has bettered Griffiths'p time in Auckland, but on that occasion there was none of last evening's thrills.

It was a race of international importance and had a flavour of a team's race as developments proved. While winning himself Griffiths was also instrumental in making it easier for Ryan to head off tho Aucklander. The start was an expedient. one and it was not until after a hundred yards had been covered that Griffiths, by his heart-breaking pace, showod that he was going to throw Bridson's usually long slow arnistroke out of plumb and thereliy spell defeat for his rival. The fact that tho lime for tho 100 yds. was 60s showed how fast the swimmers wore moving. From then on Griffiths ploughed through with remark able stamina, revelling in his task and leaving behind Bridson and Ryan, who by this time were on even terms. After Griffiths had won by three yards, interest was focussed on tho other two. Bridson's timing had disappeared and while he floundered, Ryan, a vastly improved bov since he visited Auckland last month, snatched second place by a touch. Judging by his stroke and speed at this stage Ryan would have made himself felt over 440 yds. As it was ho swam easily the best 220 yds. of his fairly short career

A Great Ovation. The swimmers were accorded a great ovation, especially when, later in tlio evening, Mr. E. H. Potter, president of the Auckland Swimming Centre, congratulated the two Australians upon their great performances and wished them bon voyage on their homeward trip by the Marama to-day. In reply Ryan and Griffith's expressed appreciation of the wonderful reception given them in the Dominion and their gratefulness for the overwhelming hospitality. In this respect Griffiths said he wanted all present to know how splendidly he and his companion had been treated by Bridson, who was a great swimmer and a great sport. Iho launch trip down the Hauraki Gulf which Bridson had made possible in the week-end had had tho effect of giving both Ryan and himself just that tonic which was reflected in their swimming that evening. He hoped that the impression that he and Ryan had been discourteous in Ashburton was not believed. He could say that it was absurd. The most interesting handicap event of the night .was that in which the two Sydney swimmers met Auckland's best 100 yds. sprinters. Ryan, receiving three seconds, won in 595, and Griffiths, who started with Bridson off scratch, just touched in front of a bunched lot for second place. Bridson wad about thre* yards behind out of a place.

Miss Pidgeon in Form. Another attraction was the 220 yds ladies' breaststvoke championship, • ill which the ex-New Zealand champion, Miss Gladys Pidgeon, outclassed Mis* Jean Thomson to return the fast time of .3m 375, which is only 1 2-5s outsido her own Dominion record. R. Thomas, the intermediate champion of Auckland, by his speedy consistency over six 50yds. races, won the admiration of the spectators. Results aro as follows: — Invitation Scratch Race, s:2oyds (NewZealand record, 2m 2f> Bridson).— Owen Griffiths (New South Wales). 1; Noel 'Rjan (New South Wales), 2: Gordon Bridson (Grammar), 3. Tho only starters, i his was a magnificent contest The swimmers were sent away on equal terms and moving along at a smart pace they turned together at the end of the second lap. Over the next lap Griffiths crept to tho front, being inches ahead of Ryan and Bridson, who were practically together at the 100 yds mark. Griffiths now began to drew away and when another length of the bath had been covered ho had an advantage of 2ft. over Bridson. Ryan, who was losing ground at the turns, being a yard further back. Griffiths continued to increase his lead over the next two laps until he turned amid great excitement for the sprint over the last '2oyds, ono and a-lialf yards ahead of Bridson. who was now only inches in front of Ryan. Tho New South Wales •champion spurted to get home by at least threo yards ahead of llyan, who had put in a fine sprint to beat Bridson on tho touch. Time, 2m 24 2-5b —a New Zealand record. , „ , _ First-class Handicap, 100yds.—Noel Ryan (New South Wales), 3s, 1; Owen Griffiths (New South Wales), scr., 2; R. de Loreo (Mount Eden), 4s, 3. Also started: A. Raper, 3s; R. Sellars, 4s: G. Bridson, scr. Sellars, de Loree and Ryan were together at the completion of the first lap Coming up the next de Loree and Sellars fell back, while Raper came up to turn 3yds behind Ryan. The scratch men Griffiths and Bridson were together at this stage. Ryan shook off a challenge from Raper and went on to win a good race by 2yds from Griffiths, who easily beat Bridson. a tired swimmer. by 3yrs. Time, 595. • "20 Yards Ladies' Breaststroke Championship of Auckland (New Zealand record, 3m 35 3-6s, Miss G. Pidgeon).—Miss (r. Pidgeon (Waitemata), J; Miss J. Thomson (Parnell), 2. The only starters. The swimmers were together on tho completion of two laps, but at 100 yds Miss Pidgeon was a yard ahead. Thereafter Miss Pidgeon. swimming strongly, increased her lead at every lap, finally winning by 16yds. Time, 3m 275. Boys' Handicap, 50yds.—First; heat: Tt. Eccles, ss, 1; D. Webster. 7s, 2; G Cox. £e. 3 Time 335. Second heat: R. JLnomas. Is, l"; R. Gee, Is. 2; T. Strong. ss. 3. Time.' 27 3-ss. Third heat: D'. Smith. Bs, 1; Is. Crump, 2s. 2; J. Laird. 4s, 3. Time, 39 3-ss. Final: Thomas, 1: Ecclcs. 2; Gee, 3. Time, 28 3-ss. Won by a tounch, a yard between second and third. . , ■ .Junior Girls' Handicap, 50yds.~First heat: Miss B. Lciven, 7s, 1; Miss A. Thomson, (is, 2; NtissA'. Ryan. 75,-3. Time, AGs. Second heat: Miss M. Leydon, 6s, 1; Miss A. Pearce. '2s 2; Miss G." Sadler, fis, 3. Time, 365. Third heat: Miss E. Strong, sb, I;' Miss E. llainey. 2s, 2; Miss I. Keeping, 3s, .3. Time, 33 3-ss. Final : Miss Leiven, 1: Miss'Rgjney, 2; Miss Thomson, 8. Won by two yards, a yard between second and third. , Time. 30/1-58. Inter-club Handicap. 50yds.—First heat: N. O. Maddox. 3}s, 1 : C. Widen, 31s. 2: J; Bickerton. 3{s, 3. Time, 27 2-ss. Second heat: Muthieson, 4s, 1; IJ. Homiston, 55,-.2; W. Stevens, 3js, 3. Time, 28 2-55. ( Third heat: L. Smythc, 41s, 1; T. Sparling, 4s. 2; L. Beck. 3js, 3. Time, 30s. Fourth heat: R. Thomas." 2js, 1: R. Sellars, Is. 2; S. Brooking. 3js, 3. Time, 20 3-ss. Fifth heat: M. Hone.vfield. 3}b. 1; M. Withers. 4s, '2; W. Japeth, 3s, 3. Time, 235. Sixth heat,! .1, Stehr, 3js, A. Graham, 3)s, 2; G, Leask, '2s, 3. Time, 28 3- r >s. Seventh heat: W Hnmstiy, ss, 1; J. Eddlostone, 3}e. 2: | M." Wilson. 4s, 3. Time, '2O 3-ss. Fighth heat: C. Koane, 4s, 1; G, Graham, 455, 2; E. Midgley, 3s. 3. Time, '2B 3-ss.' Ninth heat: D, Keane, 4s, 1; T. McCarthy,..ps.,'2: L. Fail-gray, Us. 3. Time, 20 l-ss. ,First semi-final: Mathieson. 1 1; Maddox, 2f McKay, 3. Timo, 28 2-ss. Srcor.d eenu- ';ial: . JL>. Kenne. l.» Stphr. 2; Ramßay, 8 Time. 27 3-ss. Final: Mathieson, 1: Maddoxi 2; Kepne. 3. Won by ;i toi.eh. Tirre, 20 2-ss. | Novice Handicap. 50yds.—First, heat: t Gumwoll. 7s. 1: T. Deane, 4s, 2; R. Thomas, scr, 3 Time, 30s Second heat: C. Skyn- i nor. 7s, 1: B. Fleet. Is. 2; A. Spraggon. 4s, 3 Time, 335. Final: Skinner. I; Giuzwell, 2. Deane and Thomas wero lis tu-aiifiod for shirting 'uforo ♦lieir time. Won by a touch Time, 345. Ladies' Handicap. 60. 2-3yds.--Firsl heat: Miss M Elworth, 6s, I; Miss S. Denham. 6s, 2; Miss M. Sadler, Bs, 3. Time, 48 4-58. Second heat; Miss S, Brown, 4s. 1: Miss P. f?obertson, }s. 2: Miss O. Harvey, 6s, 3. Time. 4Cs. Final: Miss Brown., 1; Misses Robertson and Elworth. dead heat, 2. Won by three yards. Time, 44 2-ss. Dual Relay, ICO.vds.—Miss I'. Robertson and J. P. Farrell, 1: Miss S. Brown, and M. Honeyfield, ss, 2; Miss G. badlor and N. Cr\imp, 12s, 3. Won by a yard, lime, 58b, .■

Candlo Race.—R. Pidgeon, 1. Water _ Polo.— Representative team, 1 soul; the' Rest, t goal.