FOUR STONE AND NINE STONE

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7201, 26 April 1930, Page 13

FOUR STONE AND NINE STONE

Jubilee Year of American Lawn Tennis American lawn tennis will hold its Jubilee Year in 1931, and preparations are already being made to celebrate the occasion fittingly. It was in March, 1881, that the present national governing body of the United States was organised, and (lie first national championship (on grass) was held at Newport. The annual meetings have been held every year since; and the championships were interrupted only once in 1317, when a Patriotic Tournament was held, following the entrance of the country into the World War.

England's First Four “.Plum” Warner, who is as liable to error as any other expert, has announced that Hobbs, Sutcliffe, Hammond and Woolley will bo the first four batsmen selected for England against the Australians. _ Chapman ho considers too fat, a criticism which has brought an indignant denial from that nimble if elephantine person. Hendren, Wyatt, Leyland and Duleepsmhji are also in the running. Tate and Larwood he is not so sure of among the bowlers, but is enthusiastic over Robins, and Allen. Allen lias already mA the Australians, whose fellow - countrymen he is. Robins is an amateur googly practitioner who was given a gallop against the Chapman South Africans last year. A r oce is that unusual bird i, really fast left-hander, and may trouble the Australians till they get used to the novelty, as F. K. Foster did.

Bowls Team for Queensland With its background of nearly 690 members the Victorian Eddies’ Bowling Association is in great demand for _ interstate matches. It has been decided to accept the invitation of the New South Wales and Queensland ladies’ bowling associations to play matches In (hose States in May. A team of Victorian women, including about 18 representatives of (he V.E.8.A.. and the honorary secretary (Mrs. ,1. S. Winter) as manager, will leave 'Melbourne on April 29. They will stay in Sydney for a week, and then continue to Brisbane and later to Maryborough. Arrangements are being made for matches lo be played at several towns on the way. <: s|l * Custodian of Shins Mr. .A. X. Finlay was the star forward of the famous X.S.W. Rugby Union football team which swept through England with cyclonic, vigour (says the Sydney “Sun”). In those Homeric struggles, Finlay “barked” the shins of too daring opponents in the scrum, and, in turn, lie stopped a few, as his battle scars attest. During the week he was among the. shin bones once again, but off, instead of on, the football field. He is the associate to Mr. Justice James who was presiding in a claim for damages against a country doctor, in which a fractured ankle was in evidence. Skeleton exhibits were entrusted to Mr. Finlay, who, thus, for the first time in his life, became the custodian, instead of the kicker, of shins. Friends of Mr. Finlay explain, however, this reputation was not at all deserved, that he was more shinned against than shinning.

A Lead in Popularity Steel-shafted golf clubs are now likely to become popular. At Cape-

town in January t lie Prince of Wales played a match with Lord Knollys, whose handicap is ". and who therefore gave the Prince six strokes. From the very first tee, however, the Prince played his best game, well below his handicap of !-• He won the match by b up ana j uf play. lJis Royal Highness uses stcel-shatted clubs, and has started the epidemic even in the conservative Royal Cape Club, wince, recently received its first consignment.

Kozeluh Is Still Best Pro. Karel Kozeluh won the professional tennis chamiponship of France, beating Roman Najuch in the final round, o—3, 6—3, 6—4. Karel with his brother Joseph wen the doubles, beating Albert Burke and Martin Plaa in the final, 5 7 > t;—6 —4, 6 —4. The event was held’ at the Beaulieu L.T.C. in Janu- ” ary. H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught ‘ •was present for the final singles match and presented the trophy to the vie- C tor. The singles final was . a fine .r i match. Both men played splendid . tennis. Kozeluh is a far better tennis player on dirt on the Riviera than re ■* is on grass at the Vest f-icie Tonne- ' Club.