MANY SURPRISES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 15

MANY SURPRISES

AUCKLANDEBS PAIL YALDHURST SHIELD POINTS CANTERBURY'S GOOD LEAD [bv telegraph—special reporter] INVERCARGILL, Tuesday Surprises were plentiful at the first session of finals for the New Zealand senior swimming championships and the competitions were marked by several disappointments for Auckland, three of its redoubtable swimmers being defeated. P. Hanan lost the 100 yards men's title to R. Hatchwell, Wellington, A. Pascoe was placed third in the mile contest to A. T. F. Stokes and L. Newell, Canterbury, and Miss K. Grey experienced defeat at the hands of the Otago girl, Miss C. Garvin, in the 220 yards ladies' free-style event. Furthermore, P. E. Mathieson, after scoring a 15-yard victory from V. Cliff, Canterbury, in the 400 metres men's backstroke, was sensationally disqualified for not turning correctly. Canterbury leads for the Yaldhurst Shield with 13 points, followed by Otago, 9, and Auckland 8. Defeat of Hanan

From an Auckland point of view, no victory was a greater surprise than that of R. Hatchwell, Wellington/over P. Hanan, Auckland, the holder, in the 100 yards men's free-style contest* Almost everyone anticipated another success by Hanan, but opinions were revised after the showing of the Wellington youth in the qualifying trials this morning. In to-night's final he sped to the lead from the plunge and at 33 1-3 yards was a touch ahead of Hanan in 16s. Maintaining a fast pace, Hatchwell added to his lead in the second lap, reaching the second turn a yard to the good. The Aucklander is noted for his strong .finish and made a typically fine sprint in an effort to save the title. However, Hatchwell lasted well, and, although Hanan gained on him, he sped ?to a magnificent victory by «a touch. Hanan was somewhat unlucky, as he just missed the end of the pool with one arm and had to bring the other over to finish. Meanwhile Hatchwell had touched. The new champion's time of 56 l-5s was highly praiseworthy for a fresh water performance, being 2 l-5s slower than the New Zealand record held by N. Crump, Auckland, who was third, nearly two yards behind Hanan. Reproducing his Auckland form, Hanan registered 56 2-ss. Hatchwell's Styla

The first Wellington swimmer to win the sprint title since 1929, the year of W. Cameron's victory, Hatchwell, who is only 18 years of age, has no keen"" competition in Wellington and is handicapped in training by the cold water. He possesses a high, planing style and is of powerful physique. Auckland's hopes of A. Pascoe's winning the one-mile men's free-style title were disappointed. He tried gamely, but could not keep pace with the Canterbury representatives, A. T.. F. Stokes and L. Newell. Stokes went to the front at the start, followed by Pascoe, with Newell third. In the early stages Stokes was seldom more than a yard in front <sf Pascoe, who led Newell. However, after passing 500 yards Stokes suddenly widened the gap and Newell displaced Pascoß, drawing fast away from the Aucklander. At the half-mile Stokes whs three yards ahead of Newell in 12m 24 l-ss, Pascoe being 25 yards further back. From now onward Stokes increased his advantage to beat Newell by 30 yards and deprive him of the title. Newell was 45 yards superior to Pascoe, whose time -was 24m 10 2-ss. Stokes registered 23m 12 l-os. It was a great triumph for Stokes, as little consideration had been given his chances. He had dropped out of championship swimming during the last few years, "and it was a ~fme achievement to return and regain the title he won 10 years ago, in the best time of his career. Thrilling Struggle A thrilling struggle all the'way between Misses C. Garvin, Ofcago, and K. Grey, Auckland, ended in sC splendid victory for the Otago girl by a touch in 2m 44 2-ss. Miss Garvin, who won the intermediate championship less than three weeks ago at Rotorua, frustrated Auckland's confidence that Miss Grey would be the victor. Each girl put up a sterling fight, and Miss Grey was as impressive in defeat as Miss Garvin was in victory. Miss Grey led Miss Garvin by one foot at the end of the first lap, but at 100 yards the latter was a foot ahead in 70s. However, Miss Garvin lost at the turn and Miss Grey regained the lead, but at 200 yards they turned together. Miss Grev pushed away from the side of the bath more smartly and appeared likely to win. Both girls were sprinting desperately, and it was here that Miss Garvin sealed her success. Another Otago girl, Miss Purdie, was beaten by Miss Grey by one yard. Misa Garvin's time was the best she has dono so far. She is the second girl to win the senior and intermediate national titles in the same season, Miss E. Rainey, Auckland, having performed the .feat in 1935. Misses Garvin and Grey will meet in the quarter-mile on Thursday and in the 100 yards on Saturday; At the conclusion of the first stake of the men's diving championship D. Kerr, Nelson, was leading from the title-holder, D. Ewart. Rotorua, who is representing Bay of Plenty. ____