SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 24376, 5 March 1941, Page 11

SWIMMING

Race And Polo Night

By LIFEBELT On Wednesday, March 12, will be held the last race and polo night of the season. The only other major carnival is the big interprovincial meeting on March 22. Last week’s meeting was not as exhiliarating as the previous gala. There were several scratchings, particularly among the younger swimmers, because of colds, which rather spoiled some heats. However, the most popular events of the evening were the tiny tots’ width and length. A record entry for the width event had been received, no fewer than 18 youngsters being no TJ" mated, but because of colds three did not start, which left 15 in the heats. In the first heat little Joan McDonald created a stir. Receiving 10 seconds from the next girl, Marie Walker, and 11 seconds from the scratch boy, G. McKnight, she took the water in a good dive and reached halfway before the next girl left the side, but she was going like a windmill and yet was hardly moving. At first sight, with the impetus of her dive behind her, she looked impossible to beat, but when that impetus was gone she barely moved, and the backmarkers came up on her gradually. When she had about one foot and a-half to go McKnight headed her, with Marie Walker about three feet away. But Marie Walker covered three feet just a little faster than Joan McDonald covered her foot and a-half to touch just ahead in second place. It was a great finish. The second heat, with six starters was a good race, Ritchie McDonald, Joan McDonald’s brother, gaining his second win of the series by a very narrow margin from Russell Hannon, with W. Tonkin, a newcomer, third. There was only three feet between first and last in this heat and the winner registered his fastest time of the season. In the third heat, which contained the fastest swimmers, Patricia Smith won a splendid heat in another blanket finish. Leslie Feaver was only a bare touch behind in second place, with John Wilson the same distance away third. This was the winner’s fastest time for the season also, lOsec, and showed an improvement of nearly 3sec on her earlier performances. These three heats were a credit to the handicapper. So long as this class is encouraged Southland can look to the future with confidence. IMPROVED FORM Grent improvement was shown in the under 11 years length event. The first heat, won by Russell Hannon from Miss Rae Brown, was won in 32sec, an improvement of 6sec on his handicap time. Incidentally, it was his first race over a length. Miss Brown showed greatly improved form for this, her second race, and she also was well under her handicap time. D. Carran filled third place. Leslie Feaver took the second heat with an improvement of nearly 3sec. Alistair Robinson, who always swims a consistent race, was second with John Wilson third. In the third heat Warren Pasley, swimming nicely, swam the distance in better time than his handicap. He was followed home by Miss Noeline McDonald and Ramsay Carran. It is very hard to assess these small swimmers, as they swim differently in every carnival.

David Doake in the diving event received very high points for one of his backward spring forward dives off the high board. Both his dives were very good and he was the only diver really to go up in the air from the board. All the others went out away from the board in a flat spring, seemingly with the idea of getting safely from the board, instead of using height, as Doake did, to turn the body. L. Cowie won his section of the 220 yards handicap with ease to record 2min 58 3-sec, which is one of his best swims to date. R. O’Sullivan, swimming his first furlong, had a narrow win over Miss L. Gellatly, who swam a much livelier race than last meeting. Miss M. Gerrard once again improved her time and she swam the distance in 3min 9 4-ssec, which is probably the fastest time recorded in Southland for a junior girl. Brian Brown swam a good heat to record 79 3-ssec for the 100 yards as he was absolutely paddling home, and he may surprise Doake in the interprovincial match.

Much improved was the life-saving event, four teams contesting the event, which was won by Miss J. Morgan and Mrs M. Perrelle. There is still room for improvement in the entries here, as of the four teams two consisted of girls. It is a reflection on all the capable lifesavers in Invercargill that only four men could enter an event put on mainly for their benefit. This race should be crowded.

D. Kirkland and L. Cowie had a grand tussle in the backstroke event, Kirkland gaining a narrow victory. Miss Westerby also started, but she did not appear to try very hard, as is proved by her time of 88 3-ssec. Her chances against Miss Lane on March 22 do not look too good if Miss Lane has kept in form. POOL CROWDED P. Fitzgerald swam in very good form to win his heat in the breaststroke handicap. He swims very well, but is handicapped by his lack of height. B. Morgan had a narrow win over J. Botting and Miss Brown, but his time was slower than his best. It is very hard for swimmers now to keep their form as the sessions at the pool are so well patronized as to make training impossible.

The Possibles v. Probables polo match was a scratchy affair, but enough form was shown by some of the players to give hope for a quite good side to play Otago. Kirkland looks the logical centra forward, being fast with a strong throw. R. Belsham has played himself into the team as centre back and lie plays a very heady game, combining well with the rest of his team. W. Chalmers should be in the forwards. His backhand shot is good, but he missed chances in this game. Morgan was good in goal, but he fisted the ball out too much instead of catching it in both hands and clearing safely. He played a sound game bi the field in the second half. Doake and Brown were quite sound also, as was O’Sullivan, who is a little light. He handies quite well, although his throws are short. It is necessary to have some position when shooting, otherwise it is merely giving away possession and a centring shot would pay better in many cases. A great deal more use can be made of the pass back to the goalie than teams do now. Billets are required for Otago swimmers on March 22. The team arrives on the Saturday and leaves on the Sunday evening. Any person able to accommodate visitors is asked to give particulars to Mr F. W. Webb. The Surf Club patrol on Sunday is:— A. J. Kingsland (captain), K. Shaw, W. Bath, R. Colley, R. Bath. PRESBYTERIAN CARNIVAL The Presbyterian Bible Classes’ first annual swimming sports, to be held tonight, give promise of being successful. The committee, which is under the auspices of the Southland Presbyterian District Combined Young Men’s and Women’s Committee, acknowledges the response made by the churches in this venture. A large number of competitors has come forward for all championship events, and in all cases heats will be held.

The number of entries from the Presbyterian Churches is such that the

committee has decided to eliminate all entries from other churches. The committee regrets this step, but because of the nature of the programme it could not be avoided. It is hoped, however, to review next year’s programme and if possible to restrict the number of entries from the Presbyterian churches and make available events in which young men and women from other churches can take part. All championship events will count towards the aggregate points for the trophy presented by Mr W. Stewart, and now on view at R. J. M. Rein’s, Dee street. Points will be awarded as follows: Five for first, three for second and one for third. The competitors securing most points in all championship events will be the champions for the year.