Sport And Sportsmen.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19120, 12 July 1930, Page 2

Sport And Sportsmen.

That there was little between the respective teams in the two recent test matches is evident when one considers the total number of points scored by both Britain and New Zealand. Each side has registered 16 points to date. The Englishmen’s total comprises four tries, two of which were converted. New Zealand’s 16 points is composed of three tries with two conversions, and a goal from a mark. General disappointment is expressed in Rugby circles at the Canterbury Union’s decision to alter- the date of the representative fixture, Canterbury v. Hawke’s Bay, which was scheduled to be played at Lancaster Park on August 9. The match has now been tentatively set down for Wednesday. August 20, thus many will be deprived of witnessing one of the season’s premier attractions on the Oval. The chief feature of the Wimbledon 1930 tournament, which has just been completed, has undoubtedly been the defeat of Cochet by Allison and the breaking of the French domination which has existed since Borotra won in 1924. Cochet, however, has had such a phenomenal run of success that he may have been lulled into a false sense of security, and he was successful in the French championship. The real test will come in the Davis Cup challenge round, set down for July 25, 26 and 27, when the chosen representatives of France and the United States seem certain to meet. The Americans have, of course, to play the inter-zone final on July 1&, 19 and 20. When early this year Bobby Jones played for the first time with the rapidly-raising pro. wonder golfer, Horton Smith, the master was greatly struck by the contrast between his and the younger man’s wrist action in the full shots. Horton Smith is said to have a three-quarter swing, while Jones has a very full one. It was discovered that Smith elevates his hands for a drive quite as much as does Jones. But at the top Jones uncocks his wrists, and allows the club to fall to the horizontal position, while Smith keeps his cocked, and thus gives his swing the appearance of being very short. Jones was intrigued, and took several slow motion pictures for closer study. He discovered that that essential wrist work, Horton Smith’s action was as full and free as his own. Going back Smith uses the wrists very little, but coming down they begin to flex, and Jones discovered that half way down his and Smith’s wrists were in exactly similar positions, and as the ball was come on to, both used them with power and punch, whereas Jones started his wristbreaking at the top, Smith did not start until nearer to the hitting area. Walter Hagen and Joe Kirkwood were last heard of in Japan, where they were due to play a game on the Imperial Palace links at Shinjuku against members of the Imperial family, though it was not stated whether Joe would insist on the 5s admission fee which caused more than one contretemps in Australia. Walter has a set of clubs to present to the Emperor. When he did the same thing by the Prince of Wales some time ago, that personage was staggered to subsequently receive a bill for £25. Of course it was a mistake, but a similar bloomer in Old Japan might lead to Walter being politely requested to commit hara-kari—a messy proceeding.