The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 13

SECTION 2: Sport, Finance, Classifieds Sport pages 13, 14, 17 Finance pages 15-17 Classified Index page 26 TUESDAY AUGUST 20, 1974 Piqi 13 cleared Referee Pag mi BRIAN TABER Explanation accepted By ALAN CLARKSON The NSW Rugby League executive accepted last night an explanation from leading referee Keith Page over an incident at Redfern Oval last Saturday. led the chairman of the Referees Appointments' Board, Joe McGuulcy, and the Referees' Appointment Board representative of the match, I.cs Samuels. Page later conferred with Joe McGuulcy. "Mr Page was apologetic if the incident had done any harm to the League or to the Referees' Association," Mr Humphreys said later, as he issued a statement. Page assured the executive that there would be no repetition of the At Redfern Oval, Page was heckled by the crowd and cans were thrown towards him as he walked off the field, accompanied by two policemen.

As he neared the exit to the ground, Page gestured with both hands. Last night, he rang Mr Humphreys to ask whether he should appear at the meeting. This offer was accepted. Members of the executive questioned Page and he then left the meeting. The executive then cal last night's hearing the Referees Appointment's Board relegated Page in match standings for this week.

Page was not appointed to the Amco Cup final at Leichhardt Oval tomorrow night and was appointed to the North Sydney Parra-matta game at Cumberland Oval on Sunday. This match carries semifinal "weight" but does not have the relative importance of the SCG match between Eastern Suburbs and Page volunteered to appear before the executive after being reported to have gestured towards the crowd with his hands as he was leaving the field. Page would not discuss the matter after last night's meeting beyond saying that he was happy with the outcome. The incident occurred as Page left the field after refereeing the match in which Eastern Suburbs beat South Sydney. In a surprise sequel to KEITH PAGE Canterbury-Bankstown on Saturday.

Members of the Referees Appointments' Board said last night that the incident lust Sunday had nothing to do with Page's "relegation." Kevin Humphreys, president of the NSWRL. explained that South Sydney club did not raise the Redfern Oval incident at last night's meeting. "After reading reports in the papers and from information I received. I raised the matter myself," Mr Humphreys said. JOHN WOODCOCK, of tho London 20 years.

Like A i with strapper Chris Bcllcltv. GARRY 'DECLARES' AT THE VERY TOP Front row likely for McCarthy From "Tlmai." strike tiger LONDON, Monday. Only for another three weeks will it be possible to watch Garry Sobers, arguably the greatest cricketer of all time, playing the game which has brought him such fame and which he has played so I lus jaunty fellow with the bold gleam in his eye has been called Australia's besi maiden galloper. It's a title that has been pinned on quite a few racehorses but not all of them lived up to it. Harn-ham Hill and Peter's Empire were two in that category.

But there seems every reason lo suppose that Like A Tiger will soon forfeit his unwanted "best maiden" tag. And within the next few weeks he may emerge as a definite prospect in the Caulfield Cup, on October 19 and the Melbourne Cup, on November 5. Trainer Ron Man ml has set Like A Tiger (Better Bov Bounteous) for Ihe SI Caulfield Cup. in which the gelding has 49.5 kg. He has 50 kg in Ihe NSW keeper retires Former Test wicket-keeper and NSW captain Brian Taber has retired.

Tabcr. 34. announced his retirement in a letter to ihc meeting of Ihe NSW Cricket Association last nighi. His decision lo quit first-class cricket comes as a blow lo NSW Sheffield Shield hopes already hit by ihc transfer of fast bowler Jeff Thomson to Queensland and the retirement of opening batsman Ron Crippin. "He was an outstanding player who gave everything to the game," Mr Davidson said.

"He was a player looked up to, both on and off the field." In his letter to the NSWCA, Taber said be would continue to play grade cricket but found it difficult in his capacity as national coach to regularly attend training and practice sessions. Alan Davidson, president of the NSWCA, paid tribute to Taber's 10 years of service lo State cricket in accepting his retirement wilh regret. Taber played in 16 Tests for Australia and made his 10th appearance against South Africa in Johannesburg on the 1966-67 tour in spectacular fashion by figuring in eight dismissals. He played in 64 Sheffield Shield games for NSW, the third highest number behind Brian Booth (81) and Richie Benaud (73). Taber also shares the world record with Don Tallon of 12 dismissals in a first-class match achieved with nine catches and three stumpings in a Shield game against South Australia in Adelaide in 1968-69.

He captained NSW over four seasons, and has been national coach since 1971. BRIAN MOSSOP By ALAN CLARKSON South Sydney Rugby League selectors may switch Test second-rower Bob McCarthy to the front row for the vital match against St George at Kogarah Oval on Saturday. 't -fit Set to like a $153,000 Melbourne Cup. Last spring. I-ikc A Tiger showed he was a fine stayer when second to Grand Scale in the Moonee Valley Cup.

third in Ihe Feehan Handicap at the same track and fourth in the Herbert Power Handicap at Caulfield. He showed he is at least as good now at Sundown last Saturday when he finished second at his first slart this year. The race was the St Aubin Handicap over 1.000 metres and although Ihc distance was consid According lo Bill, Peter is still undecided about whether to ride permanently in Europe. "He's doing well he had ridden tour winners from 10 rides when 1 left and is picking up live language," he said. "He rides plenty of work with the local boys and Bunker Hunt has arranged for him to have French lessons.

"The decision is his. He's young and able to adjust to lot of things that I was never able to." Cook added that he doubled lhat Peter would return lo Australia in lime 4 out of 10 for Cook ered much too short he was quietly fancied at 12-I. After conceding the leaders a long start he finished fasl tu be beaten a length by Sans Peur. Maund has handled Like A Tiger in much the same fashion as the New Zca-landcrs, who believe in giving their horses every chance to mature. Like A Tiger, now a five-year-old.

has had only a eleven starts and it could be thai Maund's patience will be rewarded. ALLAN SPEEKS. for Ihe AJC spring racing next month. Cook, a champion jockey of sestcryeiir. said he had suffered from homesickness in England when he was riding.

"It was Ihc same old story again. The racing is so different in France to Australia. "There is a heavy emphasis on the social side in French racing. Why Ihe jockeys at Dcauville. when they have no engagements, go straight to Ihe beach and soak up Ihe sun.

"I guess that's okay. I prefer the faster atmosphere in Australia." The selectors, who have to produce a team to beat St George to make sure they make the semi-finals, will consider this positional switch tonight. If the change is made. Herb Timms, who played in the front row until he was injured two weeks ago. will go into the second row.

Timms. a lot lighter than McCarthy, would be suited as a second-rower. Souths could utilise his strong bursts and his "cover." Lock forward Paul Sail's return after injury will boost Souths' chances. It is expected Barry Woods will be chosen as half-back and the selectors probably will shift Ross Bin ell into the centre, to replace injured Peter van Gulik. Souths' coach.

Give Churchill, obviously will concentrate on teamwork at training this week, particularly the backing-up of theman in possession. Saints' captain-coach, Graeme Langlands, was still troubled by hois injured ribs yesterday. Langlands, forced off before half-time against North Sydney on Sunday, will not know until later in the week if he will be fit to play. ill Oii fc- i P-g-jM Canterbury Banksiown wilt rest three players from Saturday's match against minor premiers Eastern Suburbs at the SCG. They are full-back Garry Dowling, half-back Don Moseley and second-rower Geoff Connell.

The selectors want the three players fit for the following week when they play Manly-Wanngah in the preliminary semi-final. Dowling was not keen to rest although' he is carrying injuries to his snouiuer anu nip. He is leading "The Sun-Herald" best and fairest contest by two points and was keen to cam another point and wrap up first prize ot S8UU. But coach Mai Clift convinced Dowling last night that a rest would be best for the team. Winger Bernie Lowther, who had a pretty ordinary game against Newtown on Sunday, may be dropped.

Western Suburbs coach Don Parish said he would not know about John El-ford's injury until training tonight. Elford severely injured his knee in the game against Penrith last sun- Parish said that there seemed little chance of El ford playing against Cro- nulla-suinerland at dcavour Field on Sunday fishy! identify the gas. They hosed out the boxes but could not clear the smell. Thcv then had no option but to abandon the three races. All nrcvious races at the meeting started from the 498-metre boxes.

A spokesman for the stewards said they had taken possession of all bookmakers' sheets. Garry Sobers in typically aggressive mood. 7 Fee for losing drivers in NSW By GARY KEEP Trotting drivers will be entitled to a losing driving fee at all licensed meetings in NSW from September The New South Wales Trotting Club, who announced the new rule yesterday, will recommend that it be adopted as an Australian rule of trolling. The new rule states: "In the absence ot any special agreement drivers arc entitled to a losing driving fee ot" $10 for meetings conducted at Harold Park and $5 for alt other licensed trotting meetings." The losing fee will be an incentive to trainer-drivers to seek more drives from oilier stables. They drive their own horses at no extra charge to their normal training tec.

I lie second round of the 1975 World Driving Championship will be held at Harold Park on April 4 next year. Australia and New Zealand will stage the championship. Other venues will be Albion Park on April 2, Melbourne on April 5, Dune-din on April 7, Christ-church on April 9 and Auckland on April 12. Three European drivers, two Americans, including defending champion Joe Marsh, and one each from Canada, New Zealand and Australia will contest the series. Australia will be represented by a Queensland driver who will be selected by the Queensland Trotting Board.

Australia's previous representatives have been Kevin Brook (1974), Jim Schraeder (1973). Gordon Rothackcr (1972), Vic Frost (1971) and Kevin Newman (1970). Brook, from South Australia, was the most successful. finishing second to Marsh this year. France's best 2-y-o filly DEAUVILLE France), Monday.

Broadway Dancer trounced a lop-class field in Ihc prestigious Prix Morny here yesterday. RONNIE PACKER 23 (WA) navigator LKli KIM.INGWORTH (NSW) gflndar Something was made to persuade him to go in higher, but even in his prime he rarely did. While others around were working themselves into a frenzy. Sobers was sharing a joke with the opposition, fortified by the thought that, win or lose, it was not going to be the end of the world. Away from cricket.

Sobers always has been happiest cither at the races or on the golf course. There was never a rest day last winter, during the Test series against West Indies, when he was not looking for 36 holes of golf. In his retirement he will play a lot of golf and have a chance, he hopes, to put something back into cricket. Not that after such generous a career he is greatly in its debt. gracefully for over He gave notice on Saturday of his intention to retire at the end of the present season.

If anyone is wondering whether Sobers is still good, already this month lie has made the fastest championship 100 of the year, in ti minutes, tor Nottinghamshire against ueroysmre. Sobers is 38. He was introduced to first-class cricket for Barbados against the Indians in 1953. Chosen as a slow bowler, he sent down 89 overs in the match, at the age of 16. His first Test match was against England the next year, since when his all-round record in Test cricket is unique.

He has scored 8,032 runs in Test matches, including 26 hundreds, and taken 235 Test wickets and 1 1 0 Test catches. He played an innings of 254 at Melbourne which Don Bradman described as the best ever seen in Australia and one of the most perfect ever played. He could equally well have bowled an opening spell with the new ball to strike terror into the hearts of the best batsmen in the game. Incredible versatility It was this incredible versatility that made Sobers pre-eminent in the game. I have heard famous and greatly-gifted cricketers saying of him that it was simply not fair for one man to be so good at so many things.

Without trying, or without appearing to try. he was better than anyone else, and he has always considered that life is for the living. I have not often passed more than a few moments with Sobers without him laughing about something. He has the rare gift to go with his wonderful talent, of being able to see that cricket is a game for the playing and not a war for the fighting. At the end of MCC's lour to West Indies in 1967-68, Colin Cowdrey, JOHN BERTRAND 27 (Vic) tactician Courageous on Saturday but praise is high for Intrepid, rnled the favourite lo defend the trophy for a record third time.

There is little difference between the yachts but In-trcpid's crew has been training together for scv-crnl months and their drill is being regarded as the telling factor when the final selection is made. The Americans resume their trials today. (AAP) JIM HARDY 41 (NSW) iklpoar A foul, clinging smell forced stewards to abandon the last three races to be run over the 686-metre journey at Wollongong greyhounds last night. An inspection of the boxes before the scheduled running of the eighth race revealed that a foul-smelling gas existed in boxes six, seven and eight. The stewards could not MEN Bill Cook is back home convinced life for an Australian jockey in France can be 'e'est magnifiquc' provided he can make the adjustment.

Cook flew into Sydney last Friday considerably lighter after a bout of illness which hastened his departure from France. Son Peter stayed behind in Chantilly where he has linked up with top French trainer Maurice Zilbert and millionaire owner, Ihe American Nelson Bunker Hunt. Weight pull for Just Topic By ALAN SPEERS Classy mare Just Topic will have the benefit of apprentice Robert Thompson's 2.5kg allowance when she starts her spring campaign at Randwick tomorrow. Just Topic, an entry for the $100,000 Epsom Handicap on October 5. has not raced since she was unplaced in the Queensland Oaks on Mav 11.

She has top weight of 59kg in Ihe Long Reef Handicap, 1 Market assessors last night cautiously rated the mare 5-1 second favourite, with Brioletlc, behind the Bart Cummings gallopei Martindalc (2-1). Martindalc. lo be ridden by Peter Cuddihy, will be having his first Sydney start. 'DONE WIXL' Thompson, one of Ihc Slate's most promising young jockeys, has ridden just Topic only once for a close-up fourth to Gold Brick over 1600 metres at Randwick last November. He has three other early mounts tomorrow No Slrings (20 to Pacific Novice), Look A Hero (4 to I equal favourite, Dural F.ncouraRc) and Rich Chick (15 to Randwick Stakes).

Just Topic, winner ot Ihc classic AJC Champagne Slakes at two and Caulfield One Thousand Guineas ns a Ihrec-ycar-old. has been back in work with Warwick Farm trainer Harry Clark for seven weeks. Clark said last night the marc had done well, "but we haven't made nnv special plans for her until we sec how she performs. "I expect her lo be just as good, if nol better, this season, he added. Roschill trainer Dr Geoff Chapman will start his "nervy colt Hign Admiral in the race with siable apprentice Garry Qumn in the saddle, ABOARD SOUTHERN CROSS NEWPORT, Monday.

The 11-man crew of Southern Cross, Australia's challenger for ihe America's Cup, is expected to be announced tomorrow. who had led England through a hectic scries to a narrow victory, said that if he had at that moment to choose one word to apply to Sobers it would not be his agility or his temperament or his eyesight or his footwork, or even his virtuosity, but his sportsmanship. In victory and defeat he was the same person, bom in a humble Barbados home, the son of a seaman, but with a remarkable way of getting the game in perspective. 'Not the end of the world' There were times when his own players felt that he batted too low at No 6, always his favourite place in the order. Often the effort DICK SARGKANT i9 (nSvyj rorward hand JOHN STIRLING 24 (NIWI ftklMar SHAW NORM HYETT iKi ij 36 tallar 30 (NSW) tallar 30 (NSW) tactician The first race in the elimination scries between Southern Cross and French challenger France will be held on Thursday.

An official crew has not been named by Ihc Souih-ern Cross syndicate but manager Brian Lenry said on Friday that he "didn't contemplate" any changes from the 1 1 men who have been sailing the yacht during the past fortnight. Lcary named Jim Hardy (skipper), Lee Kill-ingworth, John Bertrand, Norm Hycll, John Shaw, John Stirling, Lcs Val-mandre, John Longley, Ronnie Packer, Dick aar-geanl and Hugh I relume as Ihe "most likely" crew. 1 hey could be Ihe heaviest Australian crew average weigh! of I2sl 91b. Their average age is 30.9 and they have an average height of 6ft I in. They are superbly fit and were out on Rhode Island Sound yesterday with Grclcl II for further trials.

Thf'r friendly races the 1970 challcng-r were delayed because of light winds, in complete contrast to Saturday when the Americans staged the Crew of heavies' on Aust yacht fourth race of their elimination scries. Southern Cross finished its official measuring for the French scries yesterday utter tlolalion tests by Roal Thames Yacht Club olficials. who then joined members of Ihe New York Yacht Club lo inspect Ihe sails. 1 he Frenchmen put their 1 2-metre France back in the water on Saturday night after official measuring and were preparing yesterday morning for nnother trial on the Sound again alone. It has not been matched against the Australians since its arrival and has sailed mostly against the four American yachts.

A Intrepid was beaten by LI'S VALMADRE 30 (WA forward hand JOHN I.ONGI.KY 2S (WA) lorwird hand.