Weekend Roundup

Formula One:

Jenson Button wins in Hungary

Jenson Button returned to the scene of his maiden Grand Prix victory back in 2006 to win at the Hungaroring in tricky damp drizzly conditions on a landmark day for him personally.
World champion and current leader, Sebastian Vettel has not won 4 of the last 5 grand prix, a mini crisis? Hardly, for someone so far ahead in the standings. And it is his consistency that should ultimately land him his and Red Bull's second consecutive title.

The McLaren's again showed pace in qualifying, but Vettel took the pole from Lewis Hamilton with Button in third. In the race itself, Vettel had no answer to the McLarens early pace and for a long time a British 1-2 looked on. However, a poor choice of intermediate tires with 15 laps remaining, changed back to slicks within 2 laps, coupled with a harsh drive through penalty, cost Hamilton 55 seconds. The race that looked to be his for the taking was gone. With Hamilton’s demise, Button (racing in his 200^th Grand Prix), took the win with a solid if unspectacular drive. Vettel managed second place, in the process actually extending his lead, a great result given the early circumstances, (Fernando Alonso finishing in third). Hamilton in a huge case of ‘what might have been’ stormed back to finish in fourth with a drive that deserved so much better. Button however took the spoils to draw level with his teammate with two wins apiece. Going into the summer break a change of luck is needed if Vettel is to be reigned in from what seems like an unassailable position.



Daniel Carter Kicks his way into the record books



Rugby Union:

Dan Carter's overtook England's Jonny Wilkinson to become the highest point scorer in the history of international rugby on New Zealand's resounding 40-7 win over a depleted South Africa, taking him to an astonishing 1,204 points, 9 ahead of Wilkinson. After their beating by the Australians the Springboks will be glad to get back on home soil after a punishing Tri Nations away leg. Shorn of many star names, the players drafted in were unable to cope with the All Blacks power and pace. New Zealand now face Australia as red hot favourites to win the tournament.
With England in action next weekend against Wales, it gives Martin Johnson the chance to look at some of his fringe players in preparation for the ‘trimming’ of his World Cup squad. This will be anything other than a friendly, but I wouldn’t expect a classic either!

Football World Cup: 

The qualifying draw for the 2014 football World Cup was made and there was mixed reactions for England's group opponents. Avoiding the resurgent French was a result, Moldova and San Marino should not trouble a decent English side, but away trips to Montenegro, Ukraine and Poland will not be easy. The rest of the home nations face an uphill battle to even make the play-offs as the group runners up.
 

 

Cricket:



Broad takes Indian Hat-trick



In the second test between England and India, the Indians looked to be avenging the first test defeat, taking England's top order to task with some excellent bowling, only Stuart Broad offering up any real resistance with 64 recovering from 124 for 8 to a more respectable 221 all out. India took control and looked to be cruising to a big lead at 267 for 4 before a fight back of staggering proportions. Broad again, this time with the ball, taking a hat trick (only the 12th ever Englishman to achieve the feat), after a century by Rahul Dravid had looked like giving India the chance to level the series. Broad finished with test best figures of 6 for 46, including a dazzling spell of 5 wickets in 16 balls with no runs conceded. England however needed a big score to put the pressure on, and they duly obliged, posting a score of 441 for 6 at stumps at the close of the third day.  Ian Bell surviving a dodgy run out to post a personal score of 159. Praveen Kumar acted as though the final ball before tea had crossed the boundary for four runs, only to run out Bell has he left the crease for a well earned break. Having been given out the Indian captain MS Dhoni recalled his appeal and Bell was allowed to return, adding another 22 runs before being caught out.

England need to win two of the final three tests, including this one if they are to replace India as the number one ranked side in the world, but with drama like this you would not put it past Andrew Strauss' men tom achieve that feat.