SWIMMING TITLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22351, 24 February 1936, Page 12

SWIMMING TITLES

CONTESTS AT DUNEDIN AUCKLAND TEAM'S RETURN FOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS WON The swimmers who represented Auckland at the New Zealand senior championship meeting in Dunedin last week returned to Auckland by the first express on Saturday morning, disappointed that they had not retained the Yaldhurst Shield, but satisfied .that thoy had exerted their best efforts. They were highly impressed by the efficiency with which the meeting was conducted ,by the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. The hospitality accorded the team ] was overwhelming, everything possible being done for its entertainment. All visitors, whether competitors or not, werfe regarded as the guests of the Otago Centre, which was assisted by other enthusiasts and various firms, with the result that the championships were considered the most enjoyable yet held. In appreciation of the work of Mr. E. C. Isaacs, secretary of the Otago Centre, the Auckland team presented him with a barometer at the prize-giving function. Title Successes Championships were won by two members of the team, R. B. I* rankham, 100 yds. men's free-style, and Missi Mona Leydon, 220 yds. and 440 yds. ladies' free-style. A fourth championship, the 500 yds. flying squadron relay, was retained by R. B. Frankham, N. Crump, P. Hanan, W. G. Smith and C. R. Buchanan. Hanan was also run-ner-up in the 100 yds., and Frankhamand Crump were second and third respectively to D. H. Symes, of Canterbury, in the 220 yds. Miss Leydon, the previous holder, was awarded second place to Miss Nancy Basstian, Southland, in the 100 yds. ladies' backstroke. Nevertheless, the spectators disagreed with the judges' decision, as to most of them it appeared clear that Miss Leydon was beaten by her team-mate, Miss Nancy Barton, who was, however, placed third. The judges subsequently explained that in their opinion Miss Barton missed the touch. The Auckland lady sprint champion, Miss Violet Coulthurst, was narrowly defeated for second place in the 100 yds. ladies' contest by Miss Basstian, the winner being the 16-year-old Wellington intermediate, Miss Sylvia Gotlieb. Other Aucklanders experienced illluck. The breaststroke representative, F. S. Taylor, who had a bright chance of being placed in the furlong, swallowed water, which compelled him to retire at 100 yards. Hanan was not well for the 220 yds. men's free-style, in which, as Auckland champion, he was given strong prospects, and swam poorly. Similarly, indisposition prevented Miss Jean Thomson from showing her true form in the 220 yds. ladies' breaststroke, so that she withdrew from the race. None of these failures affected the shield result. Frankham's Victory Frankhain's victory in the 100 yds. free-style delighted Aucklanders, his defeat of W. J. Jarvis, the title-holder, dismaying Dunedin enthusiasts. It was a spectacular win, as he lost nearly two yards through slipping at the first turn, yet with a great burst overtook his opponents at the second turn, and proved too speedy until the finish; There was a delay of several minutes in announcing the result, owing to a suggestion that in making his unsuccessful turn Frankham had neglected to touch the side of the bath with a hand, as required by the rules An oversight by him in a heat swim caused much controversy. He won easily, but, instead of touching the end of the bath above the water line, stood on his feet. Some onlookers alleged he then stepped forward—a movement that would have justified his disqualification, because, technically, he had not finished the race. Others contended he took no step, some stating that, if anything, he half-turned his back to the end. Finally, responding to numerous warnings, he reached forward and touched correctly, but not before his two opponents had finished. Evidently, the judges and referee considered no infringement had occurred, because Frankham was awarded third place, thus qualifying for the final.