The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 20

Friday January 11 1985 20 Matthew Engel in Hyderabad David Lacey on the England training squad- announced yesterday Williams Robson cold-shoiilder for Wright Glimpses of Gower the Robson' sets a lot of store by players' attitudes. At-the end of last season he was annoyed Paul SOCCER The plus England Southampton involving manager, Lawrie McMenemy and two of his England play- Luton to" and though the England manager. Robson may bring in either consistency of Lis finishing for the World Cup game with could make him a cover for Northern Ireland in Belfast on Hat'eley who along with the February 27. other expatriots in Italy, Wil- In addition there Stewart rnAZr; "navail-Robson, Arsenal's most consis- able for tIle get-together, tent player-this season, whose the Norwich de-prowess in the U-21 side has fcnder who formed England's 'earned him the chance of sa- 1i.t vouring the atmosphere of the centre-back partnership with senior common-room. At 20, Fenwick on the South Ameri-Robson must have a strong can tour last summer, is also chance of making the party for not available because his club Mexico in 1986 assuming Eng- have an FA Cup replay on land qualify.

While it will be a January 21. Since Bobby Rob-major surprise if he is picked son has still chosen to ignore for Belfast, he could be given Wright, this should bring a run out in the friendly home to the 21-year-old South- Wright, has led to both being left out of Bobby Robsori's squad for a get-together at BUham Abbey in nin days' Williams has since, ioined Arsenal and Wright appears to With McMcnemv but elearlv 1 4U4 t.U i fct i iu uc uKi is suuic mi miernauuiiai career. It is also significant that the ne, as suffering vfrom pressure of "if reporls that the; player "irJLSW affair, esoeciallv. Wright's suh. sequent revelations to a na- The Rneland mana'por said .1 aner announcing, me par-.

"The recently giyen to ootn players concerns me and is not in the best in- ut iiiein inuy nave suffered enough. I. have spoken to, both Wright and Williams and they are very disappointed ahn.it 1 fl o-a uuvui iv.il. uut. mjw mc OUT Wright' (left) and Williams, against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley a month later.

One of Newcastle's promis- ing strikers cjnris waaaie, is the other new face in the promouon 10 me nrsi uivision and -has advanced more quickly than' Beardsley. Waddle's capacity for running at oppo- noV.t. ti, K.ii thn utmia viilii ins. unu mi- England manager has chosen terests of the. game.

I don't "It does not mean that they squad announced yesterday em- Bisliam squad. He has scored (Arsenal), samson (Arsenal), Kennedy (uwr-to omit them from an exercise want to say to much about are ruled out forever. I will phasises the point. With 14 goals since Newcastle won fvVsmiFKi'Srti ritcn'iiamBii: UV013111.U, auiwie Luuiga, cu -jjjc- serve spirit of continuity dur- ing the three-month gap he- tween World Cup qualifier matphps David Irvine in New York John Samuel in Kitzbuehel ilander sparks Masters Trouble on the Streif is a test of nerve SKIING If the Arno can freeze in Florence, what then of Kitzbuehel's mighty Streif, the iciest free fall in downhill ski racing? The answer is 3,610 metres of one-in-four, 80 mph skid -patch that is testing the nerves of the most courageous of racers. "It's five times harder because there's no snow," said Todd Brooker, win ner ncre in 1HS3 ana giaa enough to be down in.

one piece in final training before today's rescheduled Val d'Isore downhill and tomorrow's Hahncnkamm proper. The World Cup is so far behind with the downhill programme only Val Gar-dena taking place on three scheduled places so far that Kitzbuehel's ability to stage any kind of race is a relief. But it is two dizzying miles of glare-ice, with snow brought from higher up compressed with artificial, snow. And, as its legend requires, it is for sorting the men from the supermen. A dozen runners had to be warned off the course by-organisers who thought it too dangerous for the less experienced and skilful.

Another 20 failed to make the start gate of the last timed run yesterday, all victims of the poor course. Four top Austrians are among the casualties, though the best of them, the Olympic bronze medallist Anton Steiner, third here last year, damaged ankle ligaments, the dafficst way of all in an impromptu game of soccer, Guido Hinterseer, and Bernhard Flaschberger fell in training so damagingly that they are not expected to start, while Erwin Resch has not yet recovered from an injury at Val Gardena. Franz Klammer could easily have gone the same way, with one ski almost in the safety nets of the Mausefallo, one of the most difficult sections. I was lucky not tn fall," he said. A casualty of.

a different kind was Britain's Martin Bell. A broken ski cost him his start in the first training yesterday. Second time round, he was still in the shelter when his start was called. This course is at its wickedest," said Brooker. "It's what it should be all about.

It's like the old days. a nipt on player that nobody is indispensable except for .1... t. squab unn aa Utd). Ronson (man utoi, 5.

Konson tArsenait. ffiUlV (waifinii wKJeic (Arsenal), vvadiie wllhe lAuoo Villa). Chammr- lam iidksi. You've got to be ready for it or get killed in the bush. There's four or five skiing real well and some struggling like me.

The rest shouldn't be here. I've been here in summer and know what it looks like then. The profile you see now is just what it's like without snow. You've got a bit of white from the 20 centimetres they've whacked on to it, but you can sec all the shadows of the paths that criss-cross it. The ice is real rough.

Normally you win the -race in the fiats but they are not so fast now. Unless you have a good time in Steilhang and Mausefalle you won't win." Steven Lee, Australia's one-man challenger in the top ranking, fell twice yesterday but kangaroo-fashion emerged smiling at the bottom. Don't expect a record time," he said. "That comes when you've got lots of snow smoothing out the course and a crisp layer on top. This time it's gonna get real rough in turns." Brooker' put it more exactly.

"There'll be so many bumps and holes up there you won't have a line. Just make it how you can and don't fly off the bumps. Expect the unexpected." The problem for all the itinerants Americans, Canadians, Australians, British included is the lack of training and race time due to the recent snow famine. Olympic champion Bill Johnson, who told us all just why he would win Sarajevo, was almost as specific as to why he wouldn't win Kitzbuehel. "I haven't put on skis in three weeks.

The Austrians have had good training, and the Finns too. As it was I was trying to gel in shape from the summer. I should be closer I don't know about winning." The notebooks of his inlcr-locuters visibly drooped. The old ham in him just couldn't end it that way. Never you mind.

I can win by Aspen The Dream Never Dies." He deserved his ironic little, cheer. Fastest in final training was Peter Mueller of Switzerland, and in the earlier runs Austria's Helmut Hoeflehner, victor in the one previous downhill. Val Gardena. Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland's overal 1984 title holder, and Franz Heinzer has also been consistently fast. These are the favourites.

SWITZERLAND'S Mlchela Figini left swept to her second World Cup downhill victory In successive days al Bad Klelnkirchheim yesterday. Flglni, the Olympic downhill champion, crossed the line in one minute 41.72 She became the first Swiss to win consecutive downhills. Swiss skiers also Oiled the second and third places for the second time in 24 hours. Afterwards. Figini said: "I wasn't all that pleased with my run today because I made two serious mistakes.

I think 1 was much better yesterday." Figinl's triumph carried her from second to first in the overall standings ahead nf Austria's Elisabeth Klrchler and West German Marina Kiehl. WILANDER; Survived three match points to beat Kriek cricketer, a point he emphasised with a grateful two-handed catch to his left at backward point, which most cricketers would have lunged at hopelessly. That removed Kanwilkar and made South Zone 168 for seven, with an England win seemingly a matter of time. But there was still the local hero, Azharuddin, who stayed for more than two hours. That would have been a few minutes shorter had not an apparent middle stump lbw appeal been rejected In Edmonds's first over.

The umpiring issue has been quiet for a while. Now it resurfaced. Edmonds snatched his sun hat back from Mr Ghosh at the end of the over and when he did have Azharuddin incon-trovertibly caught behind, sent him along with a Jaekmanesque get-thee-hence gesture and a few words that earned him a lecture from Gower. The wicket was of little help to England, The two spin bowlers who put on 72 for the ninth wicket in the first innings, Ayub and Ramam, added another 49 and even the new ball could not remove them. Srikkanth declared, leaving England 85 minutes plus the 20 overs about 40 overs in all to make 232.

Had Gower or Gatting really got going it might have been very gettable. As it was, Moxon was caught behind perhaps off his pad having scored 153 fewer than he did in the first innings, and Gowor's departure was quickly followed by the exit of Cowdrey, who played on, and Robinson, sent back attempting an ill-advised single. Even Gatting needed some help, and when French was also caught by the wicket keeper again there was a suspicion of pad rather than bat England gave up. So-did Srikkanth, surprisingly soon. Still, it was a decent match and those who advocate four-day cricket in England were rather pleased with the evidence.

It is worth mentioning that an Indian four-day game, with 80 overs a day, is actually slightly shorter than an English three-day game, say, 110 overs a day. SOUTH ZONE. First innlrac 30S K. frlwantn.90.-A. Ajub 58, J.

f. Aontw ENCLAND.FlKt In-ln-i it iu 153. M. Gatting 50. W.

V. Raman SOUTH ZONE. Second Innlnis (Ovcrnlqht 141 for 5) A. Qanun Foslir 39 M. AitiirinMIn Flench Edmonds 52 R.

Kanwllkjr Cowdrey Agnm 9 A. Ajun not out 35 V. Raman not out 24 Extras (b 4. lb 2, nb 19) 25 Total (for 8 dec) 2S9 Fall of wickets (cont) 143, 1GB. 210.

Bowllnn Afmiw 9K1.in-li f.h tel. Foster 24EM9-2: Cowdrey 22-5-61-3 (nb 3): Gattina 3-0-3-0 (nb 1); Edmonds 10- warns i-ir-n-u. ENGLAND. Second Innings M. D.

Noun Vliwanath Kanwilkar 0 R. T. Robinson run out 32 C. S. Cowdrey Raman 6 0.

I. Gower Kanwilkar Raman Al M. Galttlna not out 30 B. N. French Vlswwalh Ayub 12 V.

J. Marks not Kit 10 Extras (nb 1) 1 Total (for 5) 132 Fall of wickets: 1. 72. SO. SO.

102. Bawlinn: Stkar rt. i. Jilkar Ayub 10-0-48-1: Raman ffwrti annnwiin i-u-o-y. Pakistanis in speed up call The touring Pakistan team have been asked to improve their ovcr rates after first match of their New Zealand tour against Canterbury in Christchurch which ended yes- terday- Graham Dowling, exec- wtn mS lani Crickct Councili met tn jfaKistan manager Yawar Saced for -a preliminary chat" which centred on tn team.s siowness in the field- A by tne 0Dener Qasim 0mar after a misjudged 1 J.

ueuaianQjj nuipeo i-aKistan to an eigni-wtcKet victory TOUR MATCH (Christchurch). Canter- bury 300 for 4 dec. u. g. wrioht losi 209 for 6 dec.

(Wright 57, n. T. Utham 75): Pakistanis 239 (Jantl Mlandar) 112. Mudassar Naas 75, G. MacDonaid 6 mo ,233 for 2 (Mohsin jonn 71, uy ts wicxeis.

Surrey and Somerset have mnrlp OfFpr.q tn Trevor Tpstv mane urrers 10 irevor jeaiy, the 36-year-oll all-rounder who left Hampshire last month. Jesty will also have talks with Gloucestershire, Sussex and Nottinghamnshire INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT IPre-(South torla) Second fiound Leaden Airican unless stated) 133 N. Price 67, 66. 136 S. Hobday 70, 66.

137 T. Johnstone 68. 69: P. Simmons 69. 68; ft.

Hartman (US) 66. 71. 13B M. McNuity on; Levensen ru, 68; Bennett (GB) 69. 69: W.

Wlnsnes 71, 67; F. Dupre (US) 69, 69. Skiing BRITISH LAND CHAMPIONSHIPS (Sili). Women's Qnen Giant Slalom: 1. S.

Burn (5UI) 141.90 sees: Sloffel (SUII 144.05: 3. N. Calourl (SUI) 144.85; 4, L. Beck (G.BR) 145 25. British Giant Slalom Result: 1, L.

Beck: 2, M. Langmulr; 3, I. Grant. British Women's Combined Result: 1, Beck: 2, Langmulr; 3, Grant. WOMEN'S WORLD CUP DOWNHILL (Bad Klelnklrchhelm.

Austria) Leading placlngs -1 i.i At it i OerllV (Swl), M. foalllser (5wi). t. t. Kircnier WUI5J, 5.

Graham (Can). f. I Caullnrm! fCan). 1-43 03. 7 3 Winkler Alls) 8.

K. Gutrnsohn iaiisi. Lii.i3 n. siemmic ii.un; 10 4 Fhrat (Swl) Oeerall nlaelnqs l. Flnlnl.

130 Pis 4, M. Kieni (wui. in 3, uerill, iun 4. Klrchler, 105 5, Walllser, 102 6, Hri (Suit) 7 Z. Haai 7h 8.

T. MeKlnney (US). 75 9. 0. Charvntova (C).

70; 10, C. GulnnarcT (Fra). 57. Dawnhlll standings (alter lour events) 1. Figfnl.

67 pis 2. Klrchler. 61 3. Oerlll. 40 4.

Kiehl. 39 5. Ehral. 36 6, Walllser. 34 7.

Haas. 31 equal 8, Gutenwhn. V. Vilzthum (Aus). 29; 10, Winkler, zu.

Tram itandlnut (alter 14 races) 1. Switzerland 671 nis; 2, West Germany 353; 3. Austria 265; 4, France 143; 5, United stales 141: Canada 75: 7, I CRICKET AFTER four days of nice balance England's malch in Hyderabad was drawn yesterday. Krishna Srikkantn, the South Zone captain, who its out of the common run of Indian crickets, actually, de: clared and set an. intriguing target, which England started to chase.

But a sudden blast of wickets changed the batsmen's thoughts, and Srikkantn did not believe that his bowlers could take five England wickets in the last 10 overs, which was respectful of him. So he gave up and everyone caught the plane to Madras, where the fourth Test, perhaps the decisive match of the tour, starts on Sunday. A victory would have looked good in Wisden and would not have harmed England's morale but there were oompensations, of which the most important by far was lie form of Gower, who bat-Md as though his sequence 83 runs in eight innings had been entirely imaginary. xiThere were one or two ejarly moments of discomfort arot he was dropped at slip f-ttw runs before he Anally hided out at deep But in between QtBrcr batted with his old aBlpmb, playing a couple of dbanming off-drives and letting the off-spinner Ayub fffls-a straight six. He only josrte 41, but that will be mlotfgh remove much of gitivipressure bearing down on him.

With one bound, BaiM might just be free. lOfHtainly, Gower can now devotee himself more whole-hfeffiftoHly to communal mat-fSret Everyone will take their flPstiapeek at the Madras jSffai etoday with more than fltjftnM Every pos-sWfflt1 has been mentioned HgiHABbur it will he ercen. HfwilPurn square, it will be iter. it Unman (c has been plenty of al rain In Madias and that the pitch can and often does pvine more help for the Bowlers than any other Test ground. It seems st.

certain that, after Tests with an tin ged team, England will lie very least give them selves a more conventional OBBng attack by bringing in Foster in place of Ellison. More radical surgery seems improbable. Gower is believed to be keen on keep-4ng- both his spinners and will not risk dropping a batsman and playing Downton at six. The performance of England's scam attack yesterday was not an especially good omen, though Cowans was off with a strained side, which put extra responsibility on the others. Cowdrey again bowled quite sharply, which would not be a surprise to people who have watched him in England.

He is not yet a Test batsman or a Test bowler and may well never be either, but he is a handy all-round Greenidge routs Sri Lanka West Indies took advantage a uuijuuu Vlft.lL-VViiIt.CI. Will 111 their one-day World Series Cup match in Hobart yesterday. wfnlo "LP-iB Mendis, scored 197 for eight from their 50 overs after being u1B to success at 198 for two with 9.2 overs to spare Although hobbling with a groin strain, Greenidge hit 61 iqr west -mutes anu uicnie TtirharrUnn siippprs with duet T.nrrip wnncn 3d Tint nut i A ot an adjacent indoor cricket centre miX" orf The Sri Lankans were here shackled by tight new-ball vi Michael Holding. hobart. Sri Lanka 197 for 7 in 50 nrers (L.R.D.

Mendis 56). West Indies 198 for 2 In 40.4 men (C. G. Greenldoe 61. r.

b. Richardson 52 not out), west indies won by tight Pts 1 sli Liiwi 1 5 2 0 RESULTS Soccer FA VASE. Third icund, second rinlay: Brainlree Town 2, Wlrenhoe 1. Tennis MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP (New York) Nrstom (Swo) beat V. Gerulaltis tub) 6-3, 6.4; E.

Telticher (US) beat T. Smid (tort) 6-3. 6-4. Mats Wilander (Swe) beat Johan Kriek (US) 6-4, 3-6. 7-6.

WOMEN'S INDOOR TOURNAMENT (Washington); First round (US. unless stated): Y. Vermaak (SA) beal J. Russell 7-5, 6-3; K. Jordan Beat S.

Walsh t-3. 5-7, fc-o. C. Bassett (Can) 'jeal M. Jausolee (Yun) 6-3, 6-3: M.

Maleem (Bui) beat K. Shaelcr b-l, bL: ti ueniatmn neat 11. sanaiini (An) 7-6, 6-2: M. Nanratllna heal E. Rossides 6-3.

6-2. Cycling BREMEN SIX-DAY RACE Final nlaclngs: 1, G. Wiggins and A. Doyle (Aust-Ennl 2. D.

Thurau and D. Clark (W. GerAust) 400; 3. J. Krlslen and H.

Rlnk- ln (W. Gerl 370. Golf SOB HOPE CLASSIC (Palm Sprlnqs. Call- torniaj. leaning scares tub unless siaieui 66, J.

Mahadey. C. Madler, G- Morgan, Tewell 67, C. Peete, I. Wadklns.

raeara, r. loupies, 1.. bock, 3. Simpson, R. Wrenn 68, W.

Levi. H. Green. L. Nelson.

Pavln. G. Hallherg, H. Twitly. other scores included 70.

P. oosterhuis (GB) 71, B. Linger (WG) 72, K. Brown (GB). third, Wilander produced a winning top-spin lob.

"I was trying to play it safe," said. Kriek, "but he was just tough." In the tie-break Wilander survived by attacking. Kriek's backhand and finished him off with a rare volley winner. An emphatic 6-3, 04 victory ignored by Bobby Robson ZZZZ 6 was aireafiv threatened and the nouuic nc anu iiie joys qf tackling, and Stevens fast developing into a special- 1st midfiold player alongside lil ir, ti.o Tnttonho too mil 111 iiiv. -iwiftv-iitituii i.v.tiiii.

case. While New Yorkers have been shivering in subzero temperatures Nystrom has reacted-to the conditions like a holidaymakcr taking a winter break in the Canaries. "This is like summer to me," he said. At home ft is minus 32 eclsius right now." Home for1 Nystrom, who was ''preparing ''for' his' Christmas wedding while his pals were winning, the Davis is the -tiny town of Skelleftea, 75 miles from -the Arctic Circle; There they have just two outdoor and four indoor courts. Northern Sweden has never produced a.

tennis personality before so how did Nystrom. make "Because I wasn't good enough at ice According to Nystrom, everyone. in Skelleftea, himself included, is ice hockey Among the 12 Masters qualifiers his was perhaps the least expected. Apart from Tomas Smid, who lost 6-3, G-4 to Eliot Tcltschcr on' Wednesday, he had never beaten any of the other contenders until his win over Gcrulaitis. Gcrulaitis made the initial in each set and then collapsed.

At times he re-acted like a novice, allowing himself to he passed oh wild rushes to the net, and this near panic which made it so easy for Nystrom. Though only 30, the American's- expansive lifestyle is now catching up with him. He may have made 2 million but he will always he recalled as an' under-achiever. Perhaps his greatest mistake was in allowing himself to become a permanent exhibition stooge for Borg and John McEnroe. Today's marches will sec Lcndl and-Jimmy.

Connors, in action for the first time. Connors plays Teltschcr, whom he has beaten in all of their 12 SNOOKER Davis falls to fluent Thorne Willie Thorne last night finally made his presence felt in the world of professional snooker with a dramatic 9-8 victory over the world champion. Steve Davis, in the semi-final of the 200,000 Mercantile Credit Classic in Warrington. Thorne, seeking a place in the final of a major professional tournament tor Me lirst time in bis nine-year career, had never previously beaten Davis and knew he a daunting task it ne was to overcome nis biggest hurdle. When Davis opened a -7-5' lead in the- best-of-17 fra.mes match; it seemed as tnougn the Leicester man was once more on his wav to defeat with the big opportunity denied mm yet again.

There was a different ending on tins occasion. The 30-year- old Thorne launched a remark able recovery that saw him take four of the last five frames and to become only the second player to defeat Davis this season. The first was Canada's Cliff Thorburn, who will be in action in the second semi-final today. Thome's fluent potting was a hallmark of a tense encounter. and as well as booking his place in the final he also put himself on course for the 4,000 special prize on offer for the nigncst break of the tourna ment when he compiled a 120 in tne tourtn frame.

But it was his nerveless approach to the closing stages of the match that unsettled Davis. Thorne won the 13th frame 75-15, and then ran in a break of 85 in the next to level the match at seven frames each. He took advantage of two rare mistakes by the Londoner to put down breaks of 44 and 79, on his way to winning the 15th frame- and going in front for the first time in the match. Davis forced a deciding frame when he took the 16th, 66-17 but Thorne never looked back, after taking an early 62-0 lead In the next. MERCANTILE CREDIT CLASSIC War Inn-Ion).

W. Thorne (Leicester) beat S. Davis (Romford) 9-8. Ssecond session frames Thorne llrsll; 38-Sl, 75-15, B5-6. 123-3.

17-66, 84-31. jato tn iVY aoniT, Piayis again. rciain nexiuuiiy. auuui ine England team and I would have ho hestitioh in selecting either-player again if the time right iiaa nfiui. over Vitas Gerulaltis, who had a match-point against Ivan Lend! in the 1982 final, earned another Swede, 21-year-old Joakim Nystrom, a crack-at.

the Czech, In another of tonight's quarterfinals. Though Gerulaltis had home advantage, it- was Nystrom who looked more at Although England have never-lost to Ireland or Wales, a stronger challenge can be expected from Ireland now that their-'toD clubs are bosinninE make an impact. England should be favourites though. In the last three years they have lost only four of their 25 internationals. They nave outstanding goalkeepers in nursr, wno.

gets jus aurn mQOOr wnigiK, ana hmitn; Soalscorer (119) a brilliant miimi player in Leman and a aeveloping young team, Hopefully, England's passing will bo slicker and more accu- than at Bad Neuenhar, whore Germany and, to a. lesser extent, Denmark and all undermined the enterprising tactics of the new coach Carl Ward by fast counterattacks. Wales's best chance against i. uuginim una evening iu ijiiiy oimiia, coach may well need to have somcimng up nis sleeve, for Scotland and Ireland are also uiiy aware of England's new rotatlon system, ac uuvvicy medal placing if their players jp lorm. crucial tactors.

acuuana sliver trip rial 1981 is unlikely to be repeat- but bv advantage of Netherand. Austria and Itnlv Pl? bime- T1e Jinty -Steward in aftcr serious injury will neoded boost-to it vauci nun European indoor championships ircinnu; acuiiiinu v. Ausina: q.ou, Canada v. Germany; 5J0 Italy v. Netherlands.

Shaw unfortunate to be overlooked IN A finely balanced quarterfinal match that elevated the Volvo Masters from the routine to the spectacular at Madison Square Garden yesterday Sweden's Mats Wilan-, dcr survived three match-points to defeat Johan Kriek 6-4, 3-G, 7-G. little more than a month ago, in Melbourne, Wilandcr had annihilated Kriek in the Australian Open. But this was an occasion when South African-born American should have claimed his' revenge. "The guy is Just so cool under pressure," he said plaintively. "He came up with his best shots at the worse possible time for me." It was a contest that, had the sparse afternoon crowd on the edge of their scats for 2 hours.

Neither man could exercise any lasting control. There were 15 breaks of serve, as control swung first one way and then another, but Kriek was always the more positive. In the end, he took too many risks. Until he led 2-0 in the second set, Wllander's authority seemed to be sufficient. Then, quite suddenly, lie went to pieces under Kriek's ferocious attack, A run of 13 points took Kriek from -1-2 to 4-2 in the second set.

He hit one ace after anotherjand pounded; out winners on the forehand as Wilander fought to stem the tide. His recovery began in the third game of the final set, breaking after Kriek had had a "point for 3-0. By the sixth game they were back on level terms and it was then, that Kriek, down 0-40, retaliated in spectacular fashion with four aces. Kriek's, match-points came-al 6-5. On the first two he made the error and, on the SPORT IN BRIEF BOXING: Terry Marsh, the British light-welterweight champion, has been promised a world title fight in April with the WBA champion, Gene Hatcher.

Frank Warren, the London promoter, yesterday announced that he has agreed terms with the American's manager, Dave Gorman, who also manages the WBA welterweight champion, Don Curry, Warren is thus involved in three world championship promotions in the space of four months BADMINTON: Gillian Gilks and Martin Drew reached the semi-finals of the first event of the Pro-Kennex world grand p'rix, the Hong Kong open, yesterday, writes Richard Jago in Hona Kona. Mrs Gilks served so consistently that the Eng lish pair were enabled to take 14 points in a row on her delivery to win the first game from 1-3 down, to Help puncture the morale of Bobby Ertanto and Rosiana Tendean, and to set up a 15-3, 15-11 win. RUGBY LEAGUE Headinglcy was yesterday named as the venue for the Great Britain France Test match on Friday, March 1 (7.30). The return game will, be at Pcrpignan on Sunday, March 17. Ciechoslovakla 74: 8.

Italy 71; 9. Poland co: iu. ruqosiavia to. NATIONS CUP (combined men and women alter races). swiuenana l.uoz pis; A anuria hu west i.imanv 13; Italy JbU; trance luu: 6, unllea Males 148: 7 I ijyumnnura 140: R.

YnaOS avla iJti; 9. Liechtenstein 149: iu, aweoen 120. ice uocKey. NATIONAL LEAGUE Roiion BrUlnS 5 Toronto Mnnle Leals 3: Pltlshuroh Penalllns 7, Vancouver Canucks Washington Canitals si louis tsiues onicago macK niiwus 4. Minnesota North Stars OT-Wlnnlpeg Jets 6, New York Rangers OT-Los Angeles riings aigary names m.

Basketball ANGLO SCOTTISH CLUR nmrter finil: FSO Cars WarrinotonMan Utd B1. Walkers Crisns Leicester 74. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. Boston Celtics 111, Chlcaqo Bulls 108- 76ers 126, Detroit Pistons 122: Milwaukee Bucks 106, Indiana Pacers 105; Phoenix Darts EMBASSY WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (Stoke). Ouarttr-llnal: J.

Lowe (Chesterfield) beat K. Oeller (En-Held 4-2. C. Uuurenko Enq) beat F. MtMullan in ire 1 a-g.

FIXTURES Soccer CANON LEAGUE FOURTH DIVISION. -Colchester Scunthorpe Postponed (ice Rugby League DIVISION TWO. Runcorn v. Blackpool. HOCKEY Bnn Tfoi-iir r.ont,p.fnru7nrri in Britian's Olympic team, will miss -England's matches in the Home Counties indoor cham- pionship at Cardiff tonight and tomorrow as he is attending has brother wedding.

It is not easy to understand the choice of Ian Jennings, a clubmate of Kelly's at South- gate, as replacement, rather than young Shaw, who has been dropped after a promis- ing first international indoor game a fortnight ago, or even a consistent scorer like Row- ley, who was also summarily dismissed by the selectors. Eneland. who successfully defended their No.2 ranking in Europe at Bad Neuenahr, may be hard pressed to retain their nome title. Scotland reeard the title as m. their property.

Thev have won it seven times out of ten and iVit. i i ken only by England in. recent seasons. A year ago in the home event, England won on goal difference after sharing eiijiiL gums wun acouana. Figini doubles up Germany look secure Germany are strong favour- robs the women of valuable ites for the European women's tactical expertise.

England indoor championships at Crys- were fourth in the last Euro-tal Palace today, tomorrow and pean championships and have Sunday, having won three realistic cxnectations nf years in succession. rne incongruous presence of uanaaa as replacements tor The contributions of Belgium unbalances, their Europe's top two indoor goal-group and these "cuckoos-in- keepers, Denise Griffiths and the-nest" bronze medallists in Margaret Edwards, and the 1981, pose a major threat to corner strikes of Linda Carr the legitimate medal claims nf and Karen Brown could be Ed Rattray in Sils Beck clinches title Lesley Beck began yester- had been a World Cuo or FIS day's British Land Open Inter- race, I would have beaten all national Giant Slalom at Sils thee Swiss girls. But I had to in Switzerland as favourite on play safe and make sure of my paper. The 20-year-old World British titles." haS 34 As Britain's only World Cup-points, whi the best of the nualifiod girl she moves on 12 Swiss girls entered earned now to Pfrontein in Germany 82 seed points. for a World Clm slalom anrl In the event, Miss Beck fin- then to Italy for four FIs ished fourth behind the Swiss races before travelling to but she achieved what she had Bormio for the World Cup.

On set out to do to win the Brit- form. Miss Bock should finish ish Women's. Combined title, within the top 20 at the World The 5ft lin. 7st 71b Dumbarton Championships early next girl said afterwards: "If this month. tingiana anu ireiano, who, wiui uciuiiiiiy, uuiuuiuie iiiu group.

England, the Home Coun- tries' cliampions, who meet the i. uciouui in 1.H1S1L opening match, make one change, Julie Hartshorn (Leicestershire) replacing the Liverpool youngster, Pam Mur- rey. Tins should add greater flexibility to a side showing real development under their new coach, carl ward, whose concurrent duty with the Enn- i -a land men's Squad at Cardiff.