Talking Sport: Tennis gap exists between the classes

It mentioned a win by Englishman Jamie Ward and the woman then added: ‘Ward, son of a taxi driver.’ It’s hard to know why that is relevant except to emphasise the lad is what used to be termed ‘common’ rather than posh.

After all we aren’t told that Switzerland’s Roger Federer is the son of a clockmaker or whatever or what Novak Djokovic’s dad does for a living.

It seems there’s still a gap between the haves and the have-nots in the sport and parents need a boatload of money to help their sons or daughters progress on the tennis circuit.

The millions made by Wimbledon don’t all filter down to local clubs who still rely heavily on volunteers.

England’s women footballers were desperately unlucky to go out of the World Cup at the semi-final stage to a fluke own goal.

The unfortunate Laura Bassett, who scored it against holders Japan, couldn’t do it again if she tried.

England at least had the satisfaction of beating Germany for the first time to clinch third place.

But during all the fuss it would have been nice to be told how Japan are such a force in the women’s game.

They were thumped 5-2 in the final by USA, several of whose players are highly paid, but what sort of a women’s set-up does Japan have?

We were told many of their squad, play in Germany and France but how do they develop?

It suggests people went to the tournament in Canada to simply report on England and no-one else.

What an outstanding effort by Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan in adding 366 for Yorkshire’s seventh wicket in the County Championship win over Durham.

Bairstow was unbeaten on 239 and Bresnan 169. The following day I looked in the national press for a mention of the record partnership but in three papers I checked there wasn’t a line.

Imagine the reaction from the London media if one of those batsmen had been a certain K Pietersen.

Dewsbury Celtic are holding a double celebration in the Irish Nash on Saturday, July 25.

The club are holding a reunion to mark the centenary of their first-ever Yorkshire Cup win and the 60th year of their first appearance in the first round proper of the Challenge Cup, both exceptional feats in those days.

All current and former players particularly, officials and supporters are invited to the event which starts at 3.30pm and there will be snap and entertainment.

There is a raffle, for which prizes are needed, and proceeds from it go to one of Celtic’s junior players, Ben Restall, who is seriously ill, so dig deep.

There are free drinks for anybody who played in that 1915 final.

Expect half those who attend to claim they took part, some of ‘em will look as if they did.