SWIMMING ITEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21359, 7 December 1932, Page 17

SWIMMING ITEMS

WATER POLO ACTIVITIES

RAPID PROGRESS OF GAME OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS' METHODS The Grammar Old Boys and North Shore wider polo tennis are matched for the Waitemata Swimming Club's carnival next Tuesday evening, and this game will open activities in the A grade competition.

This is (lie third scnson in which the interests of the game have been in charge of the Auckland Water Pold Control Board. Undeniably, this board has fulfilled its function of inspiring keenness among the clubs. Already this season

a larger number of clubs is competing and the number will shortly, be swelled because the formation of a junior grade, open to players under 16 years of age on October 1. is imminent. The value that this grade will be ns a school of experience is realised by clubs, which even now are coaching teams for the opening matches in the iuw year.

Six more enthusiasts have offered their services to the game as referees, so that the control board has taken the laudable step of forming a referees' association. The referees will meet regularly for the purpose of discussing the interpretation of the rules and of exchanging views thereon Repetition of the misunderstandings that were frequent between players and referees last season will accordingly be less excusable this season.

What will please players most, i s the control board's, efforts to have games in all grades played weekly. Early in its campaign the board has" had a' setback, the Auckland Swimming Centre not acceding to its request for the use of the Tepid Baths on the alternate Tuesday evenings now regarded as club nights. Instead, the centie advised the board to approach the City Council about having the official club night declared on Monday or Thursday. To Sustain Interest If its hope is to have matches weekly, the board has no alternative but to follow the centre's advice. Swimming certainly has first rights, but for the sake of water polo let there be no interval of five weeks between matches, as happened in the course of last season. Such a haphazard system will neither sustain the full interest of players nor help the development of a good playing standard. The comment made on the methods of Hungary's team at the Olympic Games by Mr. Norman Burton, of Sydney, when he passed through Auckland recently will be found most instructive. Mr. Burton is a well-qualified judge of the game. Formerly a State representative, he is now a member of the New South Wales Water Polo Association and a selector tor this body. In fact, his main object in attending the Olympiad was to study playing methods for his association. The Hungarians, said Mr. Burton, outclassed the teams of aIJ other competing nations arid fittingly finished a series of wonderfully skilful displays with a win bv 8 points to 0 in the final against Germany. None of the Hungarians ever tried to score from more than five yards out, but instead passed the ball to a teammate nearer to the goal, even if this player was marked. On attack the backs swam up and combined with the forwards.

So accurate was the players' handing that often the ball was passed from one man's hand to another's without being allowed to touch the water. Whenever the team's goal was in danger one of the fullbacks would join the goalkeeper in defence of his charge. This move, particularly, is not practised in cither .Australia or New Zealand. Essence of Teamwork

"Tho Hungarians' play," added Mr. Barton, "was the essence of teamwork. That was why no other team was able to stand up against them. At no time did I see a Hungarian selfishly neglecting his team's interests."

Ihe various club teams are beginning the competitions backed by several weeks of hard training. Ponsonby, holder of the championships for both the A and B grade teams, is again entering one A grade and two B grade teams. W. F. Smith is still captain and coach and in the A team lie is supported by Raper, W. G. Smith, Stevens, Neale and Slot tor, all clover players. As usual, Waitcmata is represented by a strong A team led by Enwright. Others in the team are Hedges, Porteous, Honeyfield and Lcask, all except the last-named having played for Auckland. The team has had to find a substitute for its skilful goalkeeper, Fail-gray, who has been advised by his doctor not to play this season. I*or the benefit of its less experienced players, Waitemata also has a team in the B grade. Mount Eden has a team in the A grade only. Moore is captain and, although final selection has not yet. been made, the personnel of the team will probably be the same as last season's. This team included do. Lorce, Frankham, Cordes and A Ivcanc. Enthusiasm at North Shore Keen enthusiasm for the gnmo has developed in the North Shore Club, whoso practices at Narrow Neck Beach every Sunday are attended by a large number of players. The club has A and B grade teams. As members of the former team the club has such well-known players as Curlayno, Howell, Magcc and llomiston. Grammar Old Boys is now a strong force. Whereas last season this club had only a B grado li-,;#.n, this season it has three teams, one in tho A grade and two in the B grade. Bridson's skill will not be available to his club, which, however, has gainod Steer, formerly a prominent player for Parnell, and Leslie, who was once chosen to play for Now South Wales Possibles. Members of tho team that did so well in the B grade last season still p faying arc Thomas, Stock ley, Cover and. Lintott.

University and Parnell nre each competing in llio B grade only. Yet Allen and O'Mcara, of the former club, and M. Withers and Skinner, of (Jig latter, arc players clever enough to gain a place in most A grade teams.