The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 16

Page t3 Witm SECTION 2: Sport, Finance, Classified Sport 13-16 Finance 18-21 Computers 21 Boating Classified Index 17 22 FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1971 COST HER BOSS $420 ROSEWALL IS LAVER'S TIP ROCHE, EMERSON OUT By ROD HUMPHRIES Rod Laver tipped Ken Rosewall to win the Australian Open tennis championship before flying out of Sydney yesterday with his share of the tournament prize money a "mere pittance" of $885. Kegel Gauntlet in open sprint as Slipper trial By ROY ABBOTT Connections last night changed plans for top two-year-old Regal Gauntlet and now will start him against open company in the main sprint, the Dundas Flying Handicap (6f), at Rosehill tomorrow. Earlier he was to have run in tomorrow's Oatlands Quality Handicap (6f), in which he has top weight of 9-3. ITS I I Mm it If .1: -W i able to iron out his problems in the next three days. The big disappointment yesterday, particularly from the sponsor's point of view, was the poor performance by Tony Roche.

Roche led Drysdale two sets to one overnight, but faded badly and lost confidence in the last set. TIE-BREAKER Roche led with a service-break at 4-3 in the fourth set, but dropped his serve to be forced into a tiebreaker. He had a 5-2 points lead in the tie-breaker to clinch the match, only to see Drysdale whip off a series of winners to snatch the tie-breaker 7-5 and the set 7-6. From then on, Drys-dale's confidence soared 'as Roche's ebbed and the last set was virtually a formality. Okker had little difficulty overcoming a jaded Marty Reissen 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in their quarter-final.

Reissen had a let-down following his tough match on Wednesday, when he beat John Newcombe. Ashe last night took two hours to beat Drysdale 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 in a quarter final, SIGH OF RELIEF BIG TENNIS SURPRISE Laver thought Rosewall would beat the depleted field, in the Dunlop sponsored event especially after Rosewall whipped Roy Emerson yesterday and yet another seed, Tony Roche, was eliminated by South African Cliff Drysdale. Rosewall beat Emerson 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 and Drysdale came from behind to beat Roche 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6, 6-1. Laver, who was beaten by Englishman Mark Cox in the singles on Wednesday night, completed a woeful tournament by losing his doubles quarterfinal to American Bob Lutz and "Chuck" Pasarell. Laver and his partner, Emerson, were beaten 6-3 6-3.

Laver's $885 was "pin money" compared with his average earnings of a week In the first 10 weeks of 1971. ODDS-ON "That is about all I deserved for the way I played," Laver said. He left by plane last night for the United States, where he will rest for a few days before opposing Dennis Ralston in a $15,000 winner-take-all five-set match at Madison Square Garden, next week. In the Dunlop-Australian Open, Rosewall has firmed to odds-on favourite, with most of his "big name" opponents out of the way. The seemingly ageless 36-year-old could take his second "Big Four" tournament in a row, after winning the US Open late last year.

That was Rosewall's first win at Forest Hills for 14 years and he has had 16 years "between drinks" in the Australian Open. "Muscles" last took the Australian title in 1955 when he beat his tennis 1963) and Wenona Girl (1964). The clash between the three-year-olds Planet Kingdom, Rough 'n Tumble and Queens-lander Gunsynd in the Rawson Stakes should be the highlight of the meeting. Each has won at bis last start. TWO WINS Gunsynd carried 9-4 to win first up in an Eagle Farm High-weight (6f) on February 27, while Planet Kingdom brilliantly won first-up in the Castle Hill Flying (6f) at Rosehill on Feb-ruary 27.

Rough 'n Tumble bas won at his two starts after a spell. The first was in a Canterbury Flying (7f 80yd) on February 13 and the second in the Galston Weltejr (7f) with 9-5 at Rosehill on February 27. The three dominate the early markets with Planet Kingdom at even money, Rough 'n Tumble (K. Langby) at 9-4 and Gunsynd (L. Olsen) at 6-1.

Trainer Arthur Ward said last night that Nausori was not a certain starter. He said he first wanted to talk it over with the owners before making a decision. Trainer L. Twigg said at Cowra last night that he would have to wait until this morning before deciding if Nangar would come to Sydney for the Carlingford Welter Handicap. "Nangar got a bump during a race at Orange last Monday and I want to see how he is tomorrow before making a decision," he said.

But after studying the fields for both the Oatlands Quality and the Dundas Flying his trainer. Cliff Robertson, decided the colt would be better placed in the Flying. The decision was finally made late last night after a conference between Robertson and the owner, Mr A. Privett. "At 1.30 this afternoon Regal Gauntlet was a certain starter against the two-year-olds in the Quality Handicap," Robertson said.

"But when I saw the field for the Flying I decided it would be an easier race for him as a final trial for the Golden Slipper here on March 27. "Regal Gauntlet has top weight of 9-3 in the Oatlands and is against a pretty strong field. "But he has the limit of 7-7 in the Flying, which is not a very strong field." FIVE MOUNTS Bookmakers last night bad Regal Gauntlet favourite at 2-1 for the First Oatlands Quality, but were not taking any chances with him in the Flying in which he is sharing favouritism at 5-2 with the topweight Bold War-rior, who is a four-year-old. If Regal Gauntlet does not run in the Oatlands his jockey Bill Burnett then will take the ride on the 10-1 chance George Moore, fresh from a triumphant visit to Melbourne, has taken five definite mounts at tomorrow's Rosehill meeting. They are Royal Charger Thirty-five year old Miss Norma Marsh cost her boss $420 in the Dunlop-Australian Open Tennis championships at White City yesterday.

Norma (pictured), once a world-travelled player, but who now only plays for fun, was a "stand-in" contestant. She got a game when top overseas stars Billie Jean King and Ann Haydon-Jones pulled out. "FILL-IN" To the surprise of many, the five-feet, eight-stone "fill-in," the oldest woman competitor in the championships, reached the quarter-finals of the women's singles. BOB LUTZ "twin," Lew Hoad, in the final. Laver considers Rosewall is stroking the ball well enough to win his semifinal against young Dutchman Tom Okker, and the final, possibly against American Arthur Ashe, the defending champion.

"Ken came straight home to Australia after the Philadelphia tournament and had a couple of weeks to acclimatise to the grass courts," Laver said. Rosewall certainly showed much of his old magic in beating Emerson in straight sets yesterday. Emerson had a service break in the first and second sets, but Rosewall was far too steady and finally ran away with the match. His serve, always a bugbear, is patchy but the veteran champion should be And looked like going on to the semis until beaten yesterday by Winnie Shaw, of Scotland, 6-0, 7-6. Norma had no qualms about picking up her $420 prize money, despite the fact that it was being paid by her employers, Slazengers.

Slazengers is a subsidiary of the tournament sponsors Dunlop, who have already paid out about $130,000 to -stage the Norma explained that she was co-opted to help with advertising and odd jobs at White City during the tournament. "Not only did I win the $420 but I got paid my weekly salary as well," she said. "NICE WORK" "And the combined ages of the two girls I beat to make the quarter-finals added up to my age." Nice part-time work if you can get it! ROD HUMPHRIES REGAL GAUNTLET (First Oatlands Quality), Beau Rouge (Second Oatlands Quality), Planet Kingdom (Rawson Stakes), Rumoroso (Rosehill Handicap) and Rainbow King (Carlingford Welter). Trainer Tom Smith also wants Moore to ride Waikiki in the Clyde Handicap in which he also can ride Right Makeup. And, true to form, bookmakers have two of Moore's mounts early favourites and another equal favourite.

Beau Rouge and Planet Kingdom both are quoted at even money, while Rainbow King is equal favourite at 4-1 with Haly-vourgiki. Moore was snapped up to ride Planet Kingdom following the suspension of Ron Quinton at Canterbury on Wednesday. Moore already has won six Rawson Stakes and looks like making it seven tomorrow. His winners were Forest Beau (1952), Tarien (1953), Tulloch (1958), Sky High (1962 and Although Drysdale pushed Ashe to a tiebreaker in the first two sets, and took the third set, Ashe always looked the winner. The tournament organisers breathed a sigh of relief when the American finally won the match.

They are now hopeful of an Ashe-Rosewall final to maintain interest. Ashe will now play the winner of today's quarterfinal between Englishman Mark Cox and American Bob Lutz. m. iii. awwtfCWWWWIwaWIHtww-i, Prop rejects terms NSW has JflYTRT F' ON Western Suburbs Rugby League prop John Armstrong last night rejected an offer to plav for the club II ml I or ti this season.

SIX TACKLES QUEENSLAND VIEW By ALAN CLARKSON Queensland probably will play the six-tackle rule if the NSW Rugby League decides to use it in this season's premiership. Parramatta, whom Wests will play in the pre-season competition at Cumberland Oval on Sunday, last night signed Ken Thornett for a 4z 1 season. But Parramatta is anxiously awaiting tt reply to a letter to the Queensland Rugby League over a suspension incurred by former English half-back Colin Wills. Wills, a fiery little fellow, was suspended for wapy-a "'tf i easy win over SA in bowls ADELAIDE, Thurs-day. NSW defeated SA by 14 shots in today's interstate bowls series to clinch the rubber after only two of the scheduled three games had been played.

NSW won the first match by two shots yesterday. The third and final match will be played at Adelaide Bowling Club tomorrow. NSW led throughout today's game and continually kept at least 10 shots ahead after the half-way mark. All NSW teams won except Albert Newton's, which went down bv 10 shots to Don Collins. The biggest lead of the dav was 28 shots on the 102nd end.

The fours of Verd Hamblen (against Jim Hall) and Des Moran (against John Slater) each scored a five late in the game to reduce the leeway for SA. RESULTS NSW 122 boat SA 108: Benjamin Johnston Watklni i Slater 2S, Dixon culley Ttirnbull Moran 18: J.Cross Brown Montgomery Hall 28 Tavlor Lindner North-cott Hamblen 25; Woods Wolfgang Salter Mcintosh Chapman Lehmann Slerp Courtney 14: Purcell Porter Rain A Newton 17 Lovell Beasley Shame Collins 27: King Smith Pinker-ton Arces 25 Northev Henderson Rutland Bungey 24. four matches by the QRL judiciary committee at the end of last season. Canterbury Bankstown were shocked last night when they realised they had to win tomorrow night's same against Cn nulla-Sutherland or they could miss out on the preseason semi-finals. Union for Randwick and in representative sides.

As League opponents, they will clash at Redfern Oval tonight. Easts have lost resolute winger Jim Porter because of a hamstring muscle strain. He has been replaced by Syd Williams. Unbeaten Newtown face their stiffest task of the e-season competition when they meet the improved Manly-Warringah side at Brookvale Oval tonight. Both teams are below full strength, but Newtown have been hardest hit with the loss of prop Oscar Dan-ielson.

Manly's selectors, obviously uncertain over the half-back position, will use both Dennis Ward and Eddie Whiley tonight. Ward, since his return to first grade, has been in sparkling form and has added the dash of speed so necessary around the scrum base. "We are pretty flexible on the matter," the presi-dent of the Queensland Rugby League, Mr Ron McAuliffe, said last night. The NSW Rugby League on Monday night almost certainly will vote for the six-tackle rule to operate during the Sydney premiership. But some NSW officials are concerned that Queensland, and possibly the Country Rugby League, will retain the four-tackle rule.

"That would not be good for the game," Balmain secretary Kevin Humphreys said yesterday. Mr McAuliffe, while not an advocate of six said he would not be against it. "We are playing four tackles in Queensland simply because that is the international rule," he said. "It seems strange that with our competitions to start in only a week or so Canterbury are unbeaten on six points and Cronulla, with two wins and a draw, are on five points. If Cronulla win thev will he on seven mints.

And it ron McAuliffe we are moving at this late stage to change the rules. "But NSW vote for the six-tackle rule, Queensland undoubtedly will go along with it." Former Rugby Union team-mates will clash in the Wills pre-season competition tonight for the first time since they switched codes. They are Eastern Suburbs captain John Brass and South Sydney centre Phil Smith, who played is expected that both Balmain and St George will win comfortably to finish on six points, with better averages than Canterbury. CRISP AN EASY WINNER LONDON, Thursday. Australia's champion hurd BASEBALL FINAL ler Crisp brilliantly won his first race in England today, despite a six-month lay-off.

He started a heavily Handicap, following his win in last Saturday's VRC Newmarket. VRC St Leger winner Trader also was rehandicapped the maximum of 71b, increasing his weight from 7-0 to 7-7 in the Syd-ney Cup. THE SQUARE ONE IS THE SMOOTH ONE backed favourite at 2-1 but paid nearly 4-1 on the tote. He beat Black Rod (9-1), with Taihape (8-1) third in the Broadstone Meeple chase (2m) at Wincanton. ATHLETICS BRISBANE, Thursday.

The 12-month suspension of Commonwealth Games gold medallist walker Noel Freeman has been officially confirmed by the Australian Athletics Union at its annual conference. Freeman had appealed to the union against the suspension, imposed last August by the Victorian association. No reason has been given for the suspension. TURF BAGUETTE yesterday was rehandicapped 31b, to 9-0, for the AJC Doncaster Canterbury Indians will have to turn the tide of recent defeats in tonight's preliminary final, at Oriole Park, If they are to win their second night baseball premiership. Indians meet Petersham Tigers at 8.30 pm for the right to play St George Saints in the grand final on March 19.

Indians won the first night baseball premiership. But after seven straight wins, Indians have had three consecutive losses, including their previous competition round against Tigers, and last week's semi against Saints. Indians, whose fielding is a feature, have slipped up on vital plays lately, but coach Jack Hollander, is confident of a smooth functioning defence tonight. The presence of last year's Helms Award player, Paul Russell, a self-imposed exile from this year's Claxton Shield, will add strength to Indians' batting. No fewer than half the NSW Claxton Shield team Callanan, Cullen, Wakefield, Riley (Tigers) and Holland, Tyler, Gabbe, Reid (Indians) is involved tonight.

The NSW team leaves for Adelaide on March 23, and the remaining two night games will give these players vital match practice. A local women's Softball game will precede the baseball final. if Crisp, never worse than fourth, trailed the leaders to the second last jump. He came away in the straisht to win easily. BOXING NEW YORK, Thursday.

Drew (Bundini) Brown, Cassius Clay's assistant trainer since 1963, has been suspended indefinitely by the State Athletic Commission for "acts detrimental to boxing" during Monday's world heavyweight championship bout. Trainer Fred Winter said Crisp had given the other 10 runners "a jumping exhibition. Crisp next run probaUy Johnnie Walker so smooth itis the world's favourite Scotch Whisky BORN 1820 STILL G0IN6 STRONS will be in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham next JWHfINO week. .4. i -4 m..