Sports Commentary

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26996, 3 February 1949, Page 9

Sports Commentary

By The Sports Editor

Plans* for Empire Tennis Tournament

If plans come to fruition, the first Empire lawn tennis championships in history will be held at Auckland after the Empire Games festival in that city next year. The'Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, the sponsoring body, plans to hold championships in Men's and Women’s Singles and Doubles and Mixed Doubles between February 13 and 18, 1950. At this stage, it is working on the basis of representation by two men and two women from each Empire country. The president of the association, Mr S. G. Wright, said that the association’s first act had been to notify the controlling committee of the Empire Games of the intention to hold the championships, more particularly to secure the committee’s blessing for the project. It was intended to seek the authority of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, and an outline of the proposals would shortly be placed before that body. “ We intend to circularise all nations which have been in touch with the Empire Games Committee to ask if they would be interested in the proposed • tournament,” Mr . Wright said. “ Depending upon the number of countries which express interest, we may increase the numbers of players from eac\ country.” Dunedin Competitors Eclipsed Competitors from South Otago districts showed to better advantage than those from Dunedin in the women’s events at Milton on Saturday, when Miss M. Tyler, who won the Shot Putting Handicap, was the only Dunedin girl to be successful. The Milton Club’s representative, Miss O. Saunders, in addition to winning a race restricted to competitors, won both open sprints, and Misfi P. Callanan (Balclutha) won the High Jump and the Broad Jump. Miss Saunders had the advantage of liberal handicaps, but Miss 5 Callanan performed well from tighter marks. In the High Jump, she was in receipt of only two inches from the New Zealand champion, Miss V. R. Baird (Dunedin), who finished second. Miss Callanan has previously shown good form in this event, and was third to. Miss Baird and Miss N. Gourley in last season’s Otago Championship. Miss J. Hills (Milton) beat a weak field in the Discus Throwing Handicap, the winning throw, including a handicap of 15 feet, being under 80 feet. Balclutha fielded a good team (Misses P. Callanan. N. Duncan, G, Bateman and A. Anderson) in the Women’s Relay, and was able to score a decisive win. Title to be Defended The Aramoho Rowing Club’s champion eight-oar crew, which returned recently from a successful trip to Australia, will compete at the Tauranga regatta on February 19. It will defend its title at the New Zealand championship regatta on Lake Karapiro a week later. The national sculling champion, J. Schneider,, will also be a competitor. Arrangements for the national championships, which will be in the nature of an important prelude to the Empire Games next year, incltide a comprehensive repair boat section in charge of the former world champion sculler, D. C. Hadfield. The laying out of the course is in charge of W. A. Stevenson, a former winner of the national sculling title. Golf Championship pates The Hastings Club, which will conduct this year's national golf championships, has suggested that the tournament be held from September 15 to September 24. .These ._ dates have been approved by the New Zealand Council with the proviso that the tournament might start on September 13 and finish on September 22.

Jnparalleled Feats By 13-year-old Swimmer

The unparalleled performances of the 13-year-old Kiwi swimmer, John Jarvis, in winning nine Otago titles and freaking, two ■ New Zealand ana four Otago records last week stamp him as one of the most amazing young swimmers thi£ country has produced. It is doubtful if his times could be surpassed at present by any boy of his age in Australia or New Zealand. ' His successes last week were:—7s Yards Under 14 Boys’ Backstroke, 53 2-ssec (two-fifths of a second outside the Dominion record): 100 Yards Under 14 Boys’ Freestyle, 61 l-ssec (1 1-5 seconds outside the New Zealand record); 100 Yards Under 14 Boys’ Backstroke, 75 2-ssec (reducing the New Zealand record by 2 2-ssec and the Otago record by 3sec); 220 Yards Under 14 Boys’ Freestyle, 2min 30sec aping 6 l-ssec off' the New Zearecord and 6 3-ssec off the Otago record); 100 Yards Junior Boys’ (under 17) Freestyle, 62 i-ssec; 100 Yards Junior Boys’ Backstroke, 76 l-ssec; 220 Yards Junior Boys’ Freestyle, 2min 38 l-ssec; 220 Yards Junior Boys' 3ackstroke, 3min 1 2-ssec (bettering the Otago record by 17 3-ssec); 440 Yards Junior Boys’ Freestyle, smin 37 l-ssec (reducing the Otago record by 3 2-ssec).

John Jarvis was a member of the Waitemata Club in Auckland before he came to Dunedin nearly two years ago. At 31 years of age he swam 50 yards and two -years later covered 1000 yards at the Parnell Baths, a performance which was believed to be unique for a boy of his age in the annals of New Zealand swimming. When only 11 he won three titles Eor Auckland at the New Zealand intermediate and junior championships it Invercargill in 1947 —the Under 14 3oys’ 75 Yards and 100 Yards Back;troke and 220 Yards Freestyle titles —and established a New Zealand record in the 100 Yards Backstroke. His sackstroke time was afterwards betered by J. White, of Nelson, and it vas the latter’s mark that John Jarvis igain shattered last week. Jarvis’s style as yet is somewhat morthodox but he has relaxation, iash, determination and excellent udgment, and when his stroke is roned out a little and he acquires letter balance he should be one of the greatest swimming prospects New Zealand has had He stands just half m inch short of six feet, wears size i 0 in shoes, and has the physique to natch his height. He has the temperament of a champion, and rather han finding training hard work rebels in his swimming. ‘ The elimination of the old under 14 lass at the, New Zealand championhips and the raising of the junior ge from 14 to 17 means that this briliant youngster will be prevented this 'ear from competing against boys of iis own age in national competition, >ut his performances are so remarkible that he will provide opposition or the best when he represents Otago it the New Zealand junior championhips at Napier a fortnight hence, ohn Jarvis, like his brothers Walter r.d Sydney, is a real champion, rained and coached, as they were, by iis father, Mr Harry Jarvis.

lew Title Holder

Miss Mayzod Reid, of the Dunedin 'lub, the New Zealand women’s divig champion in 1946-47-48, did not exend her Otago title last week and rill not compete at the New Zealand lampionships in Auckland. Otago rill be represented, however, by Miss ;etty Moore, of the same club, who ave a pleasing display to win the rovincial championship. Miss Moore iras third in the'New Zealand title vent last year and has successfully epresented Otago previously' in junior nd intermediate championship cometition. She is a graceful performer, rhose consistency is a feature of her isplays.

Track Record Broken

The brilliant New Zealand junior track and cross-country champion, N. T. O. Wilson, broke the New Zealand halfjmile record of lmin 58 4-ssec, held by T. R. Harris, when he ran the distance in lmin 58 2-ssec at an evening meeting held by the Lyndale Club at Carlaw Park last week. Wilson made a feist start, caught the limit men at the 200-yards mark and strode out confidently at the head of the field, winning by one yard and a-half from W, McQuire, off 50 yards, without being pressed at any time. Lawn Tennis Premiership Conditions of play were disagreeable for the final round of the senior lawn tennis competition on Saturday. The heavy, gusty wind played tricks with the flight and bounce of the ball, and players had to watch every ball right on to the racket in order to make accurate returns. Balmacewen snatched a very narrow win from Kaituna by a margin of 3 games, the matches and sets being even. Roslyn defeated NorthEast Valley without losing a rubber, while St. Clair No. 2 team beat Cosy Dell by default, only the club captain of the latter team making an appearance, a state of affairs which reflects little credit on the club concerned. University wins the men’s competition with an unbeaten record, while St. Clair No. 2 is runner-up with one loss. Roslyn. with two losses, occupies third position. An interesting result in the match between University and St Clair No. 2 some time ago sealed the fate of the banner. University won by one set. The rubbers were even and St. Clair had a lead of 12 games so that the latter team required only another set to have turned the tables. How near to obtaining that set they were may be realised when it is pointed out that J. E. Robson defeated D. Radford (St. Clair) 6—5, 6—5 and that Radford held two set points, neither of which he managed to win. It may be said, therefore, by students of records that the A Grade Championship rested upon the result of either of two rallies.