LOSS OF TROPHY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23276, 20 February 1939, Page 12

LOSS OF TROPHY

AUCKLAND'S FAILURE

LADIES' SPRINT FINISH

MISS K. GREY LOSES TOUCH

[BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] INVERCARGILL, Sunday

Auckland lost the Yalclhurst Shield to Otago in the New .Zealand senior swimming championship meeting, which -eojicluded last night. The only win gained by Auckland in the final session was in the 500 yards flying .squadron relay championship after a thrilling contest with Southland. Auckland won the shield from Otago at New Plymouth a year ago. The Auckland relay team consisted of P. Hanan, N. Crump. P. E. Mathieson, A. Pascoe and Miss K. Grey. Southland went to the lead at the start, followed by Otago and both obtained wide advantage from Auckland, .whose first swimmer, Miss Grey, competed against a male opponent. Mathieson prevented the southern team's advantage from being increased and Auckland's gain began with A. Pascoe, who displaced Otago for second position, although Miss C. Garvin held him over the last lap. With about eight yards to recover Crump hotly pursued his Southland opponent and he finished three yards behind, thus placing victory in Hanan's grasp. Sprinting splendidly, Hanan gradually overtook the former \Aucklander, W. Johnson, and, after turning level, he completed the remaining 33 yards with an advantage of three yards.

Hanan was unofficially timed at 55 S-ss, this being three-fifths of _ a second faster .than the time in which E. Hatchwell, Wellington won the 100 yards title on Tuesday. Judges' Difficult Task

Once again the Auckland girl, Miss Kathleen Grev, was defeated by Miss C. Garvin, of Otago, on this occasion _in the 100 yards ladies' free-style. In view of the fact that she had established a New Zealand record of 63 3-5s in Auckland recently, Miss Grey was considered the likely' winner, but Miss Garvin gained support through her victory in the furlong on Tuesday night. From the start of the 100 yards contest Miss Grey made the pace and at the first turn at 33 1-3 yards, she led the title-holder, Miss S. Wellington, by a yard, Misses Garvin and I. Purdie, Otago, being handy. Miss Grey continued to show the way and at the second turn had 1£ yards to spare from Misses Garvin and Gotlieb. Success' seemed assured for the Aucklander at this stage, but, over the last lap, Miss Garvin came up with a great burst. The judges seemed to have a very difficult , task in separating the two girls. However, Miss Grey, coasting to the side, had missed the touch and Miss Garvin, throwing her arm forward more smartly, gained the title. Her time of 65 2-5s was a brilliant feat, and,' as it was performed in heavy, fresh water, it was quite up to the standard of Miss Grey's record. Miss Purdie, who progressed steadily in the last few yards, was awarded third place, a foot behind Miss Grey, whose time was 65 4-ss. High Praise must be given to Miss Garvin for her splendid sprinting and triumph over the Aucklander. She seems bound to make an international reputation. Miss Grey reproduced her Auckland form, but the feeling cannot be dispelled that the Dominion educational tour, on which sho has been engaged for the last six weeks, has been a strain upon her. The difference between the capabilities of the two girls is negligible. Hanan Wins Scratch Sprint

The Auckland representatives, P. E. Mathieson and A. Pascoe, were easily defeated in the quarter-mile men's free-style by the winner, A. T. F. Stokes, Canterbury, and L. Newell, Canterbury. This was Stokes'third title, he having previously won the half-mile and mile. Pascoe was the leader for 250 yards and he appeared" to be shaping well, but, after passing the 235 yards, he was unable to sustain his good effort and was rapidly overtaken by Stokes and Newell. These two then moved to the front together, while Pascoe dropped further back, eventually being passed by Mathieson. Approaching the 400 yards Stokes swam into the lead and won by five yards from Newell, who beat Mathieson for second place by 13 yards. Mathieson touched two yards ahead of Pascoe. Stokes, who can be rated as the greatest of all New Zealand' distance swimmers, registered the fast time of 5m 15 2-ss, and in salt water he would have broken Newell's record of 5m 10 2-ss. Newell took 5m 19s, Mathieson 5m 28s, Pascoe 5m 30 2-ss. Neither Pascoe nor Mathieson swam up to Auckland form when Pascoe defeated Mathieson by a touch in 5m 16 l-ss. The men's diving title was retained by 13 points by D. J. Ewart, Bay of Plenty. From second position after the first section dives he advanced to victory in the second section by means of much superior work in the voluntary dives. <

A 50 yards scratch race, not a championship event, was won by the Aucklander, P. Hanan, who sped' up to snatch first place from his team-mate, N. Crump in 25 l-ss. R. Hatchwell, the 100 yards champion, was third, A popular victory was scored by the veteran swimmer, L. Smith, Wanganui. in the 100 yards men's breaststroke in 75 3-ss. S. Smith won the furlong title eight years from 1929 until 1936. He lost it last year to J. C. W. Davies, Taranaki.