ALL PEACEFUL IN RUGBY CAMP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18044, 3 January 1927, Page 4

ALL PEACEFUL IN RUGBY CAMP.

DOMINION UNIONS NOT TO CUT ADRIFT. NOTES FROM LONDON. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON. November IS. Wild rumours of threats on the part of the Dominion Rugby authorities to cut adrift from this country unless they were given a direct voice in the government of the game were circulated before the opening of the Imperial Conference. They were, however, groundless, and matters were discussed, and settled, with the greatest goodwill on all sides. The first step to agreement was taken by the Rugby Union, who unanimously adopted the rules of the International Board. _ This meant the sacrifice of several alterations which had been introduced, and which had worked satisfactorily. But unless this was done it was unreasonable to expect Wales to drop their new rule concerning off-side in the scrummage. It docs not follow, however, that the English modifications will be lost for ever. As a matter of fact, they will be brought before the International Board at the annual meeting next March. In all probability Wales will make a similar attempt to get their rule adopted. At the Conference the disposition of all the representatives was that individual prejudices should be scrapped in favour of a uniform code of rules. New Zealand brought forward a proposal that an Imperial Advisory Board should be formed, and this is to be considered by the Home Unions and the International Board.

Next Season’s Golf Championships. Important alterations have been made in' the conditions under which the Open Golf Championship will be decided at St Andrew’s iggxt season. The system by which the players qualified in three geographical sections has been cancelled after this year's trial, and the whole competition will be conducted without a break at St Andrew's, the preliminary test taking place on the New and the Eden courses. This was the original arrangement in 1921, when Jock Hutchison won, but at the last hour the professionals protested against the use of the Eden course, and they were allowed to play over the old. Their complaint was that the New links were too severe, owing to the narrowness of the fairways.

The change in the conditions has been made against the wishes of the professionals. As a matter of fact they were not consulted in the matter. The result is that they will be put to con-

siderable expense, which would have been avoided if the qualifying competition had been held in sections. All who. wish to compete will have to make the long journey to St Andrew’s, and those who pass the test, and play on to the end will be called upon to pay out of their own pockets at least £SO. It will not, of course, be possible to charge gate money at St Andrews. The course belongs to the town, and the people are free to walk over any part of it. The badge system might have been introduced, but the attitude of St Andrews would have been: “We have never paid to see golf before, and we are not going to start now.” But the English golfer is to be made to contribute his half-crown at Hoylake when the Amateur Championship is decided there, though hitherto he has been allowed to walk at will over the course. As a matter of fact, several holes adjoin a high road, and the course is separated from the footpath only by low wire railings, over which one can

stride. But the authorities know that, whilst the Scottish golfer will not pay, the English spectator will do so more or less readily. It is not expected that any of the crack Americans will compete at Hoylake. Bobbie Jones, in fact, has already stated that it will not be possible for him to come next year, even to defend his Open title, owing to the fact that he has now started to study for the law.

Lawn Tennis Bombshell. After the secession of Suzanne Lenglen and the move towards professionalism in lawn tennis, it was expected that the authorities would do everything possible to tighten their control, and they now propose to take action in one important matter. In recent

years there has been a growing tendency on the part of players to make money out of the game by writing about it. As a matter of fact, it was known that some Continental players would not definitely decide to compete at Wimbledon until they had fixed up contracts to contrioute articles on the tournament to the Press. % Suzanne Lenglen regularly undertook this work, and for the fortnight she was paid as much as £SOO. But she did not write herself. This was done for her by a “ghost". It is now the intention of the Lawn Tennis Association to put an end to players making money out of the game in this way. At the annual meeting shortly to be held it. will be proposed that in future a player shall not be permitted to write articles, or be interviewed, about a match or tournament in which he or she is a competitor. This restriction has come as a bombshell to many, and it. will be bitterly opposed. In one or two cases it. may operate harshly-, in regard to those players who are writers by profession, but the action of the authorities is timely, and. from facts which must be known to them, they are likely to press their proposal to the end. New Leaders of Soccer. After having held the premier position in * the Football League almost from the start of the season, Burnley have now been displaced by Tottenham Hotspur, the London club, who have always been notable as one of the most

scientific teams in the country. The side are in charge of Peter M'William, the old Newcastle United half-back, and one of the greatest players the game has known, and he has been responsible for moulding a style which is unsurpassed. Unlike most other clubs, too. Tottenham Hotspur refuse to compete in the transfer market for players. Their policy is to find young players of promise, and train them in the Tottenham way. The result is that, whenever there is a vacancy, a player can 1 e taken from the reserve team with the certainty that he will fit in with the general scheme of the side. But. like most teams of their brilliance, the Hotspurs are temperamental, and are rather easily pvit off' by opponents who are prepared to make the game a long-kicking and hard-rushing business. It is on this account that one is doubtful whether they will keep their present exalted position. Though thev have had to submit to draws in nine of their fifteen matches, it is evident that Huddersfield will again be dangerous challengers for the championship. Other clubs well placed, and offering a High promise, are Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and Newcastle United. Alter being injured for several weeks. Joe Smith has resumed his old partnership with Vizard on the Bolton left wing, and these two players are almost as formidable as ever. Kelly,

though he wants to leave and live nearer his home at Burnley, is plaving splendidly on the wing for' Sunderland, and the Scotsmen in the Newcastle side, of whom Gallacher. the centre forward, is the star, arc performing in great style.