SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 14

SWIMMING

(By

“Free Style.”)

COMING EVENTS.

Wednesday, November 6.—Second round of water polo competition. 8.45 p.m., Ex-Pupils A v. Collegiate; 9.15 p.m., Murihiku v. Ex-Pupils B.

Murihiku Carnival.

For many years the Murihiku Swimming Club has held a carnival on Labour Day and as far as the attendances have been concerned, these carnivals have been a success. On Monday night, however, there were several counter-attractions and these reduced the attendance, but nevertheless the evening was successful in many ways. First, congratulations must be extended to the officials responsible for the carrying out of the programme, which they performed very expeditiously and without undue delays. A, number of swimmers are to be complimented on their fine performances, and solid training on their part can be considered greatly responsible for several outstanding results. As predicted in this column last Saturday, D. Berry (ssec.), proved the winner of the 100 yards open handicap in 64sec., and also of the 50 yards open handicap in 28 3-ssecs., showing much improvement on his previous times. In the former event he was followed by D. Davis (scr.), and F. Springford (Isec.) Davis, in winning the heat in 58 created a new unofficial record. In the final, however, it was obvious that he was allowing F. Springford to act as pace-maker over the first two lengths and only opened out over the last. This was a mistake as Davis would certainly have recorded faster time for the first two lengths had he swum his own race throughout and would probably have bettered the time he did in the heat. F. Springford also did particularly well in gaining third place and is showing remarkably good form this season. The 50 yards open handicap as usual drew a large number of entries and three heats had to be run. It is of interest to note that the winners of the heats, J. Courtis (ssec.), J. Henry (ssec.) and A. R. Marshall (4sec.), were unplaced in the final. D. Berry (4sec.), whom A. R. Marshall led home in the third heat, won well, while A. Aitken, who was second in the first heat to J. Courtis, finished in this position also in the final. The reason for this inconsistent form on the part of the heat winners is purely and simply lack of training. While fresh, all three were fast and swam very well, but in the final the effect of the first effort made itself felt and even Marshall (one of last season’s best distance-swimmers) was unable to repeat his performance of earlier in the evening. These competitors should take a lesson from D. Berry, whose physical fitness is a tribute to his training methods. He swam consistently all evening, thoroughly deserving his wins. A. Aitken, too, should be complimented on his very consistent performances this year, and also on his general fitness. K. Shaw (scr.) provided a big thrill in the first heat of the 100 yards breastroke handicap, for although giving away 14sec. to Miss J. Hannon (a most promising young swimmer), he succeeded in winning well, and in recording the time of 80sec. eclipsed the long-standing Southland record of N. Kidd by Bsec.

The final, however, was rather disappointing as Shaw missed the start and in consequence the great race between him and D. Meyers (ssec.) who won, was not seen. Meyers went particularly well, his time of 84 4-ssec. also breaking the Southland record. To have beaten him Shaw would have had' to better 80sec., and popular opinion is that he could have accomplished this feat.

In this event both Miss C. Lynch and A. Mair were most disappointing and both appeared very short of training. At the last carnival over 66 2-3 yards the former went particularly well and showed great improvement on her last season’s times for the distance. In view of this fact Miss Lynch’s form appeared most encouraging, but after her performance on Monday night over the longer distance, it is veiy hard to become enthusiastic or optimistic about her chances at the New Zealand championships. It is to be hoped, however, that this young competitor will realize before it is too late that what she requires more than anything else is plenty of solid training, consisting of swimming many lengths strenuously and separate sprinting. Then we might see an outstanding woman breaststroke swimmer representing Southland; in fact a Miss Lynch who instead of fading badly over the third length speeds up her stroke and finishes strongly.

These remarks go also for Mair, who seems to be neglecting his training. It is a pity that some swimmers who have shown considerable promise of developing into really first-class seniors appear so anxious to rest on their laurels. On the other hand, still referring to the breaststroke race, it is most pleasing to see the wonderful degree of fitness achieved by that keen and enthusiastic pair the Day sisters. Both Marjorie and Peggy Day have had fairly hard handicaps this season, but they are thoroughly good “sports,” always try hard and sooner or later will earn their reward.

The 33 1-3 yards for seniors and intermediates also proved a popular race. Three heats were run and some very exciting finishes were witnessed. The final was won by that promising young swimmer, A. Caddie (4sec.), from Miss A. Mair (7sec.) and Miss P. Hall (9 sec.). The race was very keenly contested and it is pleasing to note the evident keenness of most of these youngsters. One or two were a little unlucky and made poor starts, and A. Poole (who is improving daily), was most unfortunate when in his heat he got tangled in the ropes and lost two or three valuable seconds.

The dual relay handicap was an interesting race and saw J. Coatsworth and Miss A. Mair win well. This young pair were beaten in their heat by J. Crosbie and Miss J. Macdonald, but reversed the position in the final. , J. Couling once again dived well to win the open dive. C. H. Henry, however, performed some very neat dives, and when this competitor has had a little more training he should develop into a first-class exponent. Special mention must be given to Miss J. Macdonald for her phenomenal effort in the 50 yards backstroke handicap. Her time, 38 3-ssec. is really remarkable and it is doubtful if in New Zealand any intermediate girl, let alone junior, could beat Miss Macdonald over 50 yards, although she belongs to the latter class. Water Polo. On Monday night during the Murihiku carnival two scratch teams played a game of water polo in which they were very evenly matched. The marking was particularly good and this somewhat reduced the chance of spectacular play. A. Brown played exceptionally well and appears to have a very good chance of representing Southland this year. P. Matthews did not play his usual forceful game and was somewhat disappointing in his goal shooting. Several times this player performed a back-hand shot when he could have to advantage made a much more accurate forehand throw. It is a pity to see a player making these mistakes, especially when he has the time to make the more accurate and better shot. V. Grenfell has improved and is not so prone to rely on his spectacular backhand when he has time to make the safer forehand throw, as was his habit in the past.

- M. Hunt, as usual, played his heady and sound game. At present he is anything but fit and should realize that fitness is essential if he wants to

give of his best. His position, centreback, is particularly hard, as it is virtually the pivot of the team and a player has to be very fit indeed if he wants to “feed” the attack properly and repulse the opposing forwards effectively. However, in actual playing ability Hunt is Southland’s best pivbt, and as he is a strong and keen supporter of swimming it is almost certain that before long he will be as fit as his strenuous position warrants he should be.

On Wednesday night the opening matches for the club competition were played. It was, however, disappointing to see two teams playing short ana it would be much more satisfactory if these clubs were to include young players or beginners at the game, in preference to playing short. Combined defeated Ex-Pupils B by 5 to nil, and Murihiku were beaten by 8 to Iby Ex-Pupils A. The games were not good and little comment need be made. Ex-Pupils A appear tb be particularly strong this season, whereas Murihiku are not as strong as last year. The Combined team, although not extended, showed quite good combination.