POINTS FOR SHIELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21729, 19 February 1934, Page 11

POINTS FOR SHIELD

AUCKLAND'S BIG LEAD STIRRING LADIES' CONTEST HASSAN AHEAD IN DIVING [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday The Auckland representative swimmers were very successful at the first session of the New Zealand championship meeting. Defenders of the Yaldhurst Shield, they have already scored 20 points, as compared with Manawatu's 10, Wellington's three and Otago's three. Brilliant victories were gained by N. Crump in the 100 yds. men's contest and by Miss Nancy Ludlow in the 220 yds. ladies' contest. The previous holders of the titles, R. Frankham and Miss Mona Levdon, both of Auckland, were runners-up on this occasion. Miss Ludlow's defeat of Miss Levdon came as a surprise. Crump was second in the mile championship and Miss Barbara Lewin a close third in the ladies' furlong.

The new 100 yds champion, Crump, is only 17 years of age Apart from his speed, determination enabled him to win the coveted national title, because for the last 50yds. he was swimming right on a rope line, an experience likely to unnerve any swimmer and throw him out of his stroke. For the full distance Crump was striving to keep ahead of his team mate, Frankham, who refused to lose his title without a stern fight. All Crump finally won by was a touch. Empire Games Possible Crump is the first New Zealand swimmer to win the Dominion intermediate and senior championships in the same season. So well has he been svflmming that it is generally agreed that he can hardly be overlooked in the selection of the Empire Games' team. Frankham was not disgraced in defeat. He showed improved form since the Auckland championship and Auckland is fortunate in having also a sprinter of his calibre. Auckland supplied the first three place winners in the 220vds. ladies' championship. Misses Ludlow, Leydon and Lewin having a most exciting race. Miss Lewin set the pace and, although frequently swimming erratically and catching her arm in the rope line, she led until the end of the fifth lap. It was here that the excitement was really aroused. The three turned together and Miss Lucllow, calling upon all her remaining energy, moved to the front and turned for the final 20yds. sprint about half a yard ahead of Miss Leydon, winner of the championship last year. Miss Lewin was a little further batfk. A Stirring Battle

A stirring battle to the rope ensued between Misses Ludlow and Leydon. A few yards from the finish, when only inches behind her rival, Miss Leydon was impeded momentarily through catching her left arm in the rope line. Miss Ludlow held her advantage and became the new champion by a foot. Miss Lewin, who did extremely well for a purely 100 yds. sprinter, was a yard behind Miss Leydon. Miss Ludlow, who was second to Miss Leydon in the Auckland championship, thoroughly deserved her unexpected triumph. She was unplaced in the national contest last year, but now has reaped the reward for perseverance. Had the contest been decided in salt water she might have had a good chance of breaking Miss Marie Farquhar's record of 2m 465. Indeed, through being in the outside lane, she was handicapped by the wash from the side of the pool.

The fourth Auckland finalist, Miss Sylvia Grange, collapsed at the end of the fifth lap through swallowing water. She soon recovered upon receiving attention. The holder of the record, Miss Farquhar, also of Auckland, swam disappointingly in her heat and failed to qualify. Runner-up in Mile In view of the fact that it was his first race ovei the distance, Crump swam very well in being runner-up to D. P. Lindsay in the mile championship, and when he develops stamina and gains experience he should be a firstrate miler. However, enthusiasts here have questioned the wisdom of his extending his activities to long distances. Five compulsory dives, comprising the first stage of the men's diving championship) were taken, and, by consistently good work, the Aucklander, W. Hassan, has established a lead for the championship, which will be completed next Wednesday evening, when each competitor will perform five optional dives.