SWIMMING ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20725, 19 November 1930, Page 16

SWIMMING ITEMS.

WATER POLO ACTIVITIES.

SEASON OPENS NEXT MONDAY,

STRENGTH OF VARIOUS TEAMS

Water polo activities will be well advanced before the competitive swimming season begins in Auckland, as next Monday evening is tho scheduled date for tho commencement of tho first series of matches in tho Auckland Water Polo Control Board's 1930-51 competition. With entries from most of tho city clubs keen competition for tho premiership is assured. Waitemata A, which went through last season's competition with an unbeaten record, appears to be in an unassailable position. Besides having the same players available again, the team can bo strengthened by tho acquisition of new members J. Meildo, a former member and ono of tho finest players in tho Dominion, has returned from Christchurch and will play for his old team, while R. Porteous, who played for Mount Eden last season, will also bo at hand. Another player whoso services tho team will havo is N. Batchelor, an ex-Cantorbury representative and former New Zealand swimming champion. J. Enwright, E. V. Cunnold, L. lairgray and D. P. Lindsay, who playod in last season's team, will probably gain selection again. All tho players mentioned have played in representative matches. Waitemata B should bo almost as strong as any other team. Leask, G. Hedges and J. Perrin wilt form tho nurlcus of tho team, and they should bo ably supported by L. Kenny, R. Ashby, J. Mulvihill and I{. (.lee. Tho runncrs-up in tho competition last season, Ponsonby A, will again bo represented by a solid combination. Raper will play centre-forward and he will most likely bo supported by Fleet and Walmsley on tho wings. Nealo will be a 6trong half, whilo Stutter and Worden will mako a powerful lino on defence. Stevens slTould provo reliable in goal.

Although it failed to retain the championship last season, Mount Eden should again provide strong opposition. There will be few changes in tho team, which has developed into n solid combination. Tho loss of It. Porteous, who has joined Wuitemata, will bo felt. H. Moore, de> Loree, Wittcn, J. Foy and Dickerton intend to play again. Parnell should bo able to field a fairly strong team, tho personnel of which will bo practically tho same as that for last season. Tho club would finish higher up iu tho championship ladder if it could strengthen 0110 or two weak links. M. Withers, Pidgcon and Steer will most likely constitute tho forward line, while Wilson will bo half. Tho backs will probably be J. Withers and Noble, with Magee in goal. North Shore expects to make a much better showing than that last season when it finished well clown in the competition. A dearth of strong swimmers appears to be responsible for tho team's failure. McCrae, tho Auckland representative, should again servo tho team well in goal, arid Curtayno, McKay, Lowo and Beck aro sure to retain their positions in the team. Grammar is not having a team in the competition this season, and now that J. P. Farrell is in Australia it is improbable that University will bo able to gob a sido together.