Murihiku Club Has Another Success

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 15

Murihiku Club Has Another Success

By

LIFEBELT

CLUB HOURS: Monday, 6.15-7.15 p.m.—Murihiku. Tuesday, 5.45-6.45 p.m. —Ex-Pupils. Wednesday, 5.45-6.45 p.m.—Collegiate. Thursday, 6.15-7.15 p.m.—Murihiku. COMING EVENTS April 20: Collegiate inter-club carnival. By the showing of a film during its carnival the Murihiku Club once more took the initiative in getting away from the orthodox carnival programme and providing more novel entertainment for its patrons. This meeting which was primarily for juniors was very successful and good racing was seen by a big gallery of spectators. However, the length of the programme was its main drawback as it did not finish until about 10/30 p.m. which is too late for juniors. The tiny tots’ width did not take place until 9.30 p.m. which was very late for such small children. In future any programme catering for children would be wisely drawn up if it allowed for a finish before 10 p.m. Opening the evening was an attempt by D. C. Berry on the Southland backstroke record of Imin 56sec held by A. Brown, and accompanying him on the journey was Miss Joyce Macdonald, who received 12sec start and who was swimming more as an exhibition than anything else. Berry went at ISJsec from “go” because the starter said “12 go,” with the result that there was some confusion about the final time. It was announced originally as 2min 2sec and not corrected until later to Imin 49sec. The race between these two was very exciting and Berry did not overhaul his opponent until a few feet from the finishing line. Berry passed the 100 yards in 70sec and Miss Macdonald in 78sec, taking 2min 3sec for the 150 yards, which, under the circumstances, was particularly good. Perhaps the most exciting race of the evening was the 100 yards scratch invitation face in which P. H. McGrath was swimming. Going on reports of his good swimming up north McGrath ■was favourite, with K. Shaw expected to be his hardest opponent. However, Johnson showed his best form and sprang a surprise to win from Millar who swam a sensational race to be beaten only on the fouch. McGrath led for two laps and a-half when he faltered, and Millar and Johnson both headed him and a wonderful finish saw Johnson beat Millar by a touch with McGrath only a foot behind, third, and the rest of the field in a line about six feet behind McGrath.

By winning the first distance for the Osmond Cup, Shaw now looks almost unbeatable for the second race, over 300 yards, although these . re difficult events to pick. It does not reflect very well on the other Southland seniors that only two faced the starter in this event which was a most disappointing feature. However, the race was close and interesting, Johnson giving a game display and finishing well up with Shaw. Shaw won by the margin he gained over the first length on the breaststroke, but there seemed very little difference between them on the backstroke and freestyle laps. The time of 70 3-ssec is a Southland record and is very good indeed. Johnson covered the journey in 73sec, which was also very creditable. Although Shaw’s breaststroke appears to be too strong for Johnson, the second distance over 300 yards should be well worth seeing. Berry will perhaps be a starter this time.

A great finish resulted in the dual relay handicap and the winning team was Miss Joan Robertson and James Grace. This is the first success Grace has had in two or three seasons. The McGrath bracket was only a touch be-

hind in second place, and Miss J. Halligan and Millar were third. COLLEGIATE’S CARNIVAL Collegiate has another gala on Thursday night and intending competitors are warned that entries close tonight at the baths office. The programme is well balanced for an end-of-season one and once again the catering is mainly for the younger swimmers. Several championships left over from the centre’s list are set down for decision. These are the mile senior, which, if swum, will begin early in the evening and actually before the scheduled starting time for the carnival, the four backstroke events, intermediate girls’ and boys’ 100 yards, the junior boys’ 75 yards, the junior girls’ 50 yards, the 500 yards flying squadron interclub relay championship and the final distance of the Osmond Cup, 300 yards medley. All the finals of the Trust Cups will be swum and other swimmers will be catered for by a 50 yards open handicap, a novice dive and another beginners’ length. Of course, the width for tiny tots is again included. Collegiate Club results are: 33 1-3 yards girls’ handicap.—B. Colyer 1, B. Croad 2, S. Reed 3. 66 2-3 yards men’s handicap.—C. Martin 1, B. McNeilage 2, C. Lea 3. Width learners’ race.—R. Simpson 1, B. Bissett 2, J. Fortune 3.