SWIMMING AT HAWERA

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1931, Page 10

SWIMMING AT HAWERA

form and times improve INGLEWOOD CARNIVAL SUCCESSES POPULARITY OF CLUB EVENING'S.

(By

“Life-Saver.”)

Hawera Club swimmers were well represented at the Inglewood carnival last week, and though competition was keen they were able to win several events. Most competitors showed improvement in form in comparison with that at the Hawera carnival a week before, co that their chances at the championship meeting in February should be bright. In the men’s 50 yards event the most popular item on the programme, G. Sutton, V. Spragg, M. Nelson and; - A.. Ryan all swam into places in their respective heats, blit as only the first in each heat contested the .final, only Ryan was eligible. ■ After having tied with C. Tate (Waitara) in the heat he again touched the bar simultaneously with Tate in the' first semi-final, but the Hawera man dropped into third place in the final, > being just beaten by Tate and Thomas. ; Hawera took the honours in the 100 yards men’s.- race, Ryan winning the first heat : and I. Jobson the/.second. 'Swiinming at the top of his form, Jobson cut through the water at express speed in the final and won in the commendable time of 68 ,4-ssec.; Participation in this event told on him in the 220 yards, however, and he could pot last out. For the third time at a carnival this season the popular secretary of . the Hawera Club, Max Nelson, took second place in- the diving. With concentration on this event Nelson should be heard of as a winner later this season. Few will gainsay R. Clarke’s reputation as being the most promising boy swimmer in South Taranaki at present. He won the third heat of the boys’ 25 yards in convincing style and, though second in the final, the placings would probably have been reversed had he . swam straight. As it was J. Olliver, his clubmate, who had followed him in the heat, won the event. This was a most interesting race. SUCCESSFUL CLUB EVENING. Before probably the largest attendance at a club evening tnis season the banner competition between the captain’s and vice-captain’s teams of the Hawera Club was commenced on Monday evening. S. Anderson as captain secured rather a long lead over Bert Ryan, vice-captain, the points being 62 and 44 respectively. In pursuance <?f the club’s endeavour to improve turning among members, many of the races were across the baths.

McMillan, who was first in the men’s four widths daeh, appears to be improving in every race. Admittedly he had a generous handicap of five seconds but with Anderson (scratch) behind the 'race was made very 1 willing. Anderson also swam into third place in the six widths race, again from scratch.,’ Albert Dowdle. showed improved form by gaining third position in the four wjduis from Isec., and second. in the six widths from 2sec.

Much is expected from B. Bassett, the ex-Aucklander, now a member of.the Hawera Club. He showed promising from by; his winning the six widths tußele-, frpm the 2sec. mark. Bassett--’is suggested as a possibility for the Grey Cup relay team and the flying squadron. ;Oiliver, Clarke and Anderson,' who Were placed ,in the men’s dive, showed a good knowledge'of plain diving. ' Considering the improvement he hap shown recently in breakststrqke events F.. Clarke may be amongst- 'the winners at the-championsljips. , Miss D. Gilmore is one of the most promising girl members of the Hawera Club. She had a double success on Monday night, being first in both the girls’ 25 yards and three widths races. Miss .Z. Spragg found handicaps too hard for her in the ladies’ four widths race but won the ,25. yards in good style. She is swimming well this season. > Though her earlier form was not impressive Miss E. Kelsen has shown,considerable improvement lately. She was first in the second ladies’ 25 .yards event- • With,Misuses S. and V. Ryan, P. and J. Murray, J. Thomas, .P. Robertson,. J. Olliver, T- Cann and G. McCallum, who were all placed in ladies’ events, com:, peting at the next Hawera carnival the public should be treated to some exciting races. ..Club evenings this season have ..so far been/well attended,, though occasionally the weather has been, adverse. With the banner competition now in full, swing these evenings, held every Monday, and Friday, should- be more popular than ever. . ? • , ; The club picnic has been set down for February,B, when all swimming enthusiasts will congregate at . Kaupokonui beach. A suitable programme will be arranged. •. . ..■ It is understood that efforts are to be made to revive water polo At, Hawera. This sport when introduced previously did not receive the support it warranted, but it is hoped that more success will attend the game in future.. Why' not arrange polo matches between the captain’s and vice-captain’s teams on club evenings?