SWIMMING ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20743, 10 December 1930, Page 18

SWIMMING ITEMS.

APPROACH OF NEW SEASON.

WAITEMATA CLUB'S CARNIVAL

PROSPECTS OF TITLE-HOLDERS

With the near approach of tho new swimming season in Auckland, which opens with n. carnival to bo held by the Waitemata Club at tho Tepid Baths next Tuesday, a review of tho class of swimmers reveals that the strength has not declined. Tlio ranks of competitors will bo well filled and tho standard generally is of an even nature. The established form of competitors should again predominate during the season and indications arc that thero will be no marked change in tho numbers of new titleholders.

In tho men's divisions G. Bridson has no opponent to fear over distances. D. P. Lindsay had some keen tussles with him last sous,on, but ho is unlikely to do any serious competitive swimming in future, R. do Loroe is tlio only other swimmer who impresses as being capable of accomplishing anything noteworthy. He has improved his style a great deal, which should be the means of reducing his times.

Of tho others, J. Enwright, who is said to bo entering his 21st competitivo season, is easily the best, although R. Porteous is a young swimmer who lias yet to reach his zenith. It is reported that N. H. Bailey, Otago champion, has roturned to Auckland after having lived in Dunedin for some yeara. Ho is quite a good swimmor and his preserico should make competition more interesting. High Class Sprinters.

Tho men sipnnteis aro of a high class and should provide; interesting competition. Bridson will eucountor stronger opposition in sprint events than over distances. Judging by his displays last season, R. Thomas, intermediate champion, promises to be his chief rival. High hopes aro held for Thomas' as he is tlio most promising sprinter in tho Dominion. Enwright and de Lorce appear to bo the best of the others, while Cleghorn, Porteous and Paper should also do well.

Competition among ladies promises to bo a feature of tho season. There will bo no defections oil last season's competitors and large fields should bo the order at all carnivals. Interest will be intensified during the presence in Auckland of Miss Natalie Stratton, the Wanganui champion, who is sure to prove a dangerous opponent of.Misses Mario Farquhar, Auckland champion, and Peggy Robertson, runncr-upf' Thcso thro© swimmers flic tho best in the Dominion now that Miss Kathleen Miller, Wellington, has retired and they will no doubt make every effort to produce their best form. Miss Lilla Coutts, the 50yus. champion, should give a good account of herself and if she could develop more stamina •over a hundred yards would have to bo reckoned with in the championships. Last year's intermediate champion, Miss Sybil Brown, a. graduate to senior status, is a fine young swimmer, but may find the opposition too strong for her to distinguish herself with marked success in the championships. However, tho experience .should benefit her, as she has several years of swimming ahead of her. Another lady who should acquit herself well in handicap events is Miss Joan Roberts, who has been a consistent competitor forsome seasons. Intermediate Division. Miss Gladys Pidgeon, Empire Games representative, will compete- again this season and should not experience much difficulty in retaining her breaststroke titles. Miss Jean Thomson, who is still capablo of improvement, will in all probability bo runner-up. In the intermediate girls' division a good class, which is the strongest numerically for several seasons, will be competing. Miss M. Smith, a title-holder last year, is eligible again and she will have to be in her best form to retain her leading position from the opposition of Misses S Grange, A. Grange, M. Ley ton, A. Pearce, M. Elworth .and B. Lewin. At breaststroke Miss Webster, the champion, will be opposed chiefly by Miss Dorman. who gives, promise of developing into an exponent of the style abovo tho ordinary. The hoys are of an unknown quantity, but some promising swimmers are sure to be unearthed during tho season. It is doubtful whether any junior boy or girl will be found of tho class of N. Crump and Miss E. Raincy, the present title-holders. GIRLS' CRICKET. NEW SENIOR GRADE TEAM. PROMINENT CLUB PLAYERS. Matches under ihe control of tho Auckland Girls' Cricket Association were commenced on Saturday, in fino weather. Tho wickets were fast and some good play was seen. A new team to enter is Epsom Girls' Grammar in the senior grade. This team showed up well oil Saturday, and has some good players. B. Buddie, captain, played some fino strokes and had Training College leatherhunting all over the field. Tier wicketkcoping, too, is very fair. P. Keith and E. Mullenger, both over-arm bowlers, should do well through tho season. For Training College the main bowlers are F. Kenny, J. Nagle and T. McConkcv. The first-named varies her bowling with fair judgment, and tho last-named is very successful when she gels her length. J. Nagle is consistent and, if not taking wickets, manages to keep (he scoring down.

Tho Grammar Old Girls Club again has ;i strong team, through new players joining up. 11. I'Vayling. last sciisou s hockey club captain, has joined its ranks, and is a consistent, all-round player. On Suturady she made 22 and took five wickets for II runs. N. Gallnher, captain, is a steady bat, playing good strokes, and bowling with an easy action. E. Higgins, another addition, a steady bat and looks promising. Tho Page sisters, as usual, were effective in the field. M. ]?lytb accounted for a fair part of Grammar's score by making 52.

Y.W.C.A. has at last been rcgraded as a junior loam and should do better this season. So far it lias been a most unfortunate team, p.nd has never won a match. All Saints' "proved too strong for it on Saturday, bill, practice should effect an improvement in fielding, as it is mostly in this department that Y.W.C.A. is lacking. The hockey club playing in the junior grade is a practically new team, its best, member being the captain, M. Whitelaw, who lias been rcgraded from the senior grade. It, is a matter of comment that the management committee lias mado a mistake in regrading her. Tier bowling had Technical comnlefely beaten and in baft in c she compiled 48. The main fault in junior grade play is the fielding. Tf youijg players would realise that the game has more to it than iust batting and bowling better results would be seen.

Tho association has need of umpires, as at present there are not sufficient for each match. In time an umpires' association may be formed.