The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 23

SPORTS GUARDIAN Monday January 28 1985 23 Matthew Engcl tin the one day internatuuial at Chandigarh John Rodda dssesout warning for Britons scramble (CRICKET Drugs (ATHLETICS IBB' International Athletes Club has called for the Sjrbrts Comidl to spell out to competitors the dangers of taking drugs. The growicg suspicion that increasing numbers British athletes are using drags to enhanee their performance has led the IAC to ask the Sports Council to look at the possibility of establishing an educational programme In which would spell out exactly what drugs are being used, and their likely effect. The IAC recommendation is a welcome, positive step in by publishing a list of meet- lags in IUm eonntry over the Ct fear yean at which there been If sting, accompanied by a list of those athletes who have been regularly niilno from such events. The lAC'S plan for spelling out the (lingers of drags ia oraer to dissude young people was first raised by their treasurer, Mike Wtneh, at a eaMeneaee of the Cen-itral CosukU of Physical Baaaeeation 1( nnnths ago. At ilie saute time, many mart were eMnivlng at drag-aUoc Sir Arthur GtM.

who has been ia the forefront of the anti-drug ranuwlgn. sagested that all fijmrlr snmpetrton should ungertake a test; hot his -woros ftfl deal can. Met, the limited arwiint of testing vatafcaken, and Its consequent icefftrettvencss, comet closo to a hyjuwrrUeal nUityulvo Major meetings may feature well wer loo competitors, but only around 10 will be tested. Athletics using anabolic steroids and the bormone testosterone, which assist muscle growtt), ensure that, they stop tUng be drug In tiamc for its (M-eeenze to washed out die system feefare they tested. And When athUtes are caugfet, they are usually banned frm eompstWan for oply 16 months.

There are a number British athletes under suspicion, and athletics (0fflcU)(s could easily single them oitjt, Mafe taught a valuable lesson an area in which bas teen too much hypocrisy. The tug gestion by Paul Dickenson, the. IAC chairman, that six out of 10 British international athletes are taking some form of drugs ii a piees of guesswork which was refuted yesterday by the secretary of the British Amateur Athletic Board, Nigel Cooper; but Cooper cannot, of course, produce evidence to the contrary. The problem in athletics is that the deterrent testing has been inadequately enforced by those who run the sport. Britain has been in the forefront of drag testing for many years and that, unfortunately, has given the impression' of a sense of well-being and fair play.

In He put me through a series of 300- and 40Ometre runs and it was just like being back in Georgia with my own coach," said Lattany. Charles raised my concentration and helped me work on those bends' Lattany, who has spiced British sprinting events for several years, will be saying farewell this summer when he joins Dallas Cowboys, the American football team, as a wide receiver, an occupation which Channel 4 viewers will understand. His next visit to Britain will be for the international match against the United States in March when Mafe must face his new challenge. Although the British runner was drawn inside the American, who had to cope with the rise and drop oh the bend, he could not turn on the speedjn the second half of the race, where Lattany gouged his advantage. "After taking the silver medal in Paris I was men.

tally down," said Mafe. "It is something I have to learn, to be able to pick, up after a race like that. Mafe and his coach Ken Seddington need to work to that goal to support Lattany's view- that Mafe is going to be Britain's best sprinter. of -minimum number of overs passible. In the the ground did hot look that squclchy.

but the game resulted was inevitably one of slogs, snicks and with little dignity; and less ait; cricket for people who do not like cricket much. At times, there was so much dashing about, round the field that it semed as though the Punjab was being partitioned all over England named team that seemed appropriate- to the altered occasion, with Gatting opening; they also included Sherpa French for his first representative match, either because the management thought be deserved it, or because they thought he might be inspired by the misty outline of the Himalayan foothills in the distance. French never got to the crease, but the first four England batsmen all performed very competently Fowier helping at the start, Catting doing what passed as the anchorman's job, scoring 31; in 38 balls, Gower chipping in with' a variety of shots, including a mishit six, and Lamb, his damaged knee evidently not a problem, doing well at the end. No one has much experience of these sort of games (thank heaven) so it was hard to judge whether. 121 was a decent score or -not Srikkanth and Shastri matched England's start, but when Gatting ran out Srikkanth, JKapil came in first wicket down.

This is his home town, and the crowd were delighted, but they could have done with him later when the slog-wifhin-a-slog was on. With nine overs India had fallen behind the rate. The most interesting feature of the contest might have been how the Indians would have coped with Marks's tempting stuff. Bat Gower shied away from that, and instead bowled Gatting, who humbled the final, but they can scarcely be fancied to upset the West Indies in the best-of-three final 41 w. 5- 8ELJMJ-Sre -i, I I.

ffifAKf! 1 i iPS-aWW f- Snwiikjo Ibw 1 1 39 mtTS 5. h. tiord mt oat 47 ufte mt out 2 (b Ib nb -J Ton widtab, 4x4 im) Fall of whtots 31. 93, IOS, 199. Bowiino: uwson 9-0-32-0 2.

1). 9.4-a-as-2, MdiBmo 7-0-37-2 9m 8--M- 1M- ousts Fareham produced a variety of semi-wides, real wides and full tosses (and bit of bad temper when the wides were called, too) and were put back in the match. Luddty, Edmonds kept the pressure on; 33 were needed OS the last three overs, 20 off two following Gstting's second over, and 11 off the last, after Shastri had been run out for a fine and intelligently-played' 53. Gavaskar emerged for the last over to whistles, but some applause, from Kapil's people, and Gower called up Cowdrey. Gavaskar missed the first ball aiming for six, and got only-one off the second.

Yashpal was bowled by the third, and when the fourth only produced a single, Gavaskar was left needing to hit a six to have a chance. He went for the jackpot, but for Gavaskar these days jackpots hardly happen: he made no contact at all. ENGLAND G. ftwkr tin out 17 m. W.

Gattlm Aitanliti sahar 31 D. I. Comer Sduv la A. J. Lamb art out C.

Cnrtnr c. ttajaut Snaatrl 5 5 V. J. Marks run oat 2 a. m.

cmim not oui 5 Extras (lb 4) 4 Total (for G. 15 Mil Fall of wickets 31. 71. 74. BE, 93.

104. SL J- N. Faster, Bcwlloa: Kaall' On Prestaknr Jrrat 3-0-iO-O: Stav 3-0-24-3; Skastrl 3-0-30-1. ft. 1.

Shastri run out 53 K. SvaVJsanth run out A JOaiil on Agnew Edmonds 17 m. Aanatjo Sauto I Edam 12 -Teml Srrnrma Cowdrey 6 S. M. Savaskar not nt 2 t.

fhtpit not out 1 Extras (w 12, tl 2) 14 Total (for 5. 15 men) .,114 Fan of wickets: 22, 49. S3, 111. 112. Otd not hat: S.

Vhhnantlb, T. A. Sekar. H. ftaantair.

Chetaa SharnB. BmUw: Aauw 3-0-23-0: Foster 3-0-17-9-' J3 'On 3-0-20-0: Eurneals 3-0- zu-u; sauna z-o-za-o: vmanj, 1 -0-3-1. Umpires: 5. Nonarajaraa. Ram Bnbuk.

England won fay lain rum. England won the oat-slay bitenBtloaal nrin Heroics TJi DV JliClO. vl An unbeaten 158 by John jga, cWand illt. mtes to regis- his fifth hundred in 12 TeL'SgainstPyiua1851 NGVVZEAUns- First inolngi JSSfftMiSm is M. 0.

cmo id Bafir S3 s. l. eoock Raja Hatiei 10 h. j. iKtanf i HuiZ 0.

S. smith MIanlill Akrant 7 ftJ 3) JH ioiai' (9 wlefcett) 451 1W- any type of course or snow (Condition. He has yet to finish outside the top four this but a clutch of Swiss Heinzer, Mueller, Luescher and ithe swiftly rising Karl Alpiger, fourth on Saturday are all fighting for the chance to depose him. Only four from any country will be able to race on ithe brand new, untested Bormio course. WOM CU-4iaS Downhill (Garmlsh-tetenNnten) 1, HoofleMlir (Austl 2 SwfH 1S4.7B: 3.

A. (Awt) 1:55.23: 4. K. Alffm (Swltl) 5. M.

Malr UlallL 16S.6S; 6, p. Luetttitr ISwlu) 7. B. Kfraw ISwItz) 1:55.01: ejual 8, T. Brookor (Can) and F.

Pletaii (M 10, F. Heliw ISwll) Onjall 'Downhill itandlm: 1 Hoeflehner 107; 2. P. Wlmobinar Must) 80; 3. Mueller (SwIU) 59; 6.

C. fehuwal (SW III 50. WORLD Ctb Men's Swr 1. M. GlrarMn lljWn.

54.09k.; 2, A. Wonnl (Lie) Staffer (W. Got) 1:34.59: 4. (SWIli) 5. M.

EJir (W. Ger) 6F. Rottl tw. Got) 1:34.70. Combination itnuHoai (sumt-g slalom and Satiirfaj's downhill): 1, Mniler 15.96 pis: 2 Uaaibar 19.81: 3.

F. Hilnur (Swluf Work) Cua mabkaHoa sUmllmu: 1. mwi iMMnr as; ntua trr OA. teMll WorW Cu iMIqi: 1 Glnrdelll 215; 2. P.

Zorbrlgsen 179: 3. fkml 1V2: 4, Hjlnar Maalkr 121; 6, H. WORLD CUP. Wonon'i Super-G 1 M. Klml (W Got) lmln 25 oiS, 7 TomMekuts (US) 1:25.41: 3, Id', riolnl Orrrall WorM Caa tbudlaat: 1.

M. Flilnl (Swiu) 2, BrotSIr (Swfll) 1U: 3, E. KlrtMIr (uit) 156: A. Of. Klebl (W.

r.tr) 151: 5. M. Walllur IS.IU) 149: i. E. Km.

(SwIU) 136. Onrall Wirld. Cup nlant slalom standings: 1, Flolnl (SwIU) 93; Kfohl 96: 5. Walllnr 76, Enelmd -sttn -tieir final: one- day lntenationai in India by seven in Chandigarh yesterday, tons taking the series by a heUny- 4-l instead of edgy-sounding 3-2; That bare result conceals what ins -both England's imbst meaningless victory of the tour the game was reduced by. bad weather to a 15-over' "Dash and one of their more remarkable, as they were obliged to bat first, which on these occasions, is a major disadvantage' But the Indians, chasing England's 121, found themselves 11 runs short with an over to go, and Gavaskar failed in his attempts to hit Cowdrey out of town.

Once again, the experience county players set. Sunday after Sunday at home: was a bis asset In normal circumstances, the game might never hive been played at all. There had been a huge thunderstorm in the night, and the outfield was soaked; neither team was much bothered, but this was Chandigarh's first major cricket match, and had been the town's sole talking point for weeks. Chandigarh is the capital of the Punjab, full of Sikhs, and- three months after ''the assassination still touchy; The security could not have been more obvious had Reagan been in town; people who appeared to be ordinary gate-men toted Sten guns, an idea which has not yet been attempted even at Lord's. For ill that, a total abandonment in conditions that had improved into bright sunshine would probably have caused a riot, and the teams knew what was good for them.

The match began at the last possible moment, more than Ave hours later, and consisted Australia The West Indies reempha-. sised their superiority at Ade- laide yesterday when they de- conuttol iS'the Worid "cup: World 50 overs after the West Indies pace attack had reduced them to 19 for three, but the tour- ists lost just four wickets to frbom were all put down, and Lloyd (47 not out) and Richards runs wlh0carHedPUtthem to runs i man carnea wen to the brink of victory. Joel Gar- ner won the Man of the Match award for a superb 10-over spell -brought him fig- ures of three for 17 Australia meet Sn Lanka today and victory would virtu-. ally assure them of a place in John Samuel 'Citizen' SKIING Marc Girardelli won his seventh' race of the winter, the super giant slalom of the World Cup meeting- at Gar-misch Partenkirchen yesterday, then announced a campaign to set Iiimself accented for the World Championships beginning at Bonnio, Italy, on He then has a plan to compete in all the remaining downhills Saturday's was won by Helmut HoeBehner of Austria without his presence in an effort to win the overall World Cup title. Girardelli at 21 is rapidly becoming the major ski racing 'Phenomenon since Ingemar Stenmark.

Yesterday's win over a fast icy course of just over a mile, in one minute 34.09, to edge out Liechtenstein's Andy Wenzel by seventeen hundredths of a second, was his first in the Super the ninth time he has finished first or second this season, and the 13th win of his career. At this rate he could be the man to catch Ingemar Stenmark and his 79 World Cup victories, and certainly, if his campaign to compete in Bormio. succeeds, the skier who could thwart the 28-year-old Swede and his aim to win world championship slalom gold for the fourth successive time. Girardelli has skied for Luxembourg though he was born and lives in Austria. His father, Helmut, also his fell out with the Austrian coaches, but though Girardelli has skied for Luxembourg since 1980 he did not apply for citizenship until last week, in a desparate effort to gain eligibility for Bormio.

He also missed last year's Winter Olympic Games because of of citizenship. The International Ski Federation has to decide whether an application, which may take several months to go through constitutes citizenship. Gian Franco, the FIS director general, said yesterday Girardelli would -have to show a Luxembourg passport if he were going to compete. The English version of FIS rules certainly demand this, but Girardelli has a slim hope that other language versions may offer a loophole. He has delayed so long because Austra does not It's good to hear him talk about looking towards the time when he beats Carl Lewis," Lattany added, but there are others about, Kirk Bapttste, Calvin Smith and me, whom he 'must beat on the way up." Miss Budd did not have the easy ride she might have expected in the 1,500 metres, but after Yvonne Murray's gritty five laps showed her duality with i winning -margin of joyer! five most of it achieved in the final 200 which she ran in 31.6 seconds.

That time pleased and sur-. prised her and suggested that she should fly when she gets down to the longer distances over the country and the road. Her overall time of 4 min 11.20 sec, is a championship best but still a lone way off- Mary Decker's world mark of 4 min 0.80 sec. Miss Budd. now intends to have her first English crosscountry race at Ipswich next Saturday, and on that run will depend her decision to compote in the English Championships.

Two other silver-medal, winners in Paris, unlike Mafe, did not lose their form, but they were competitors of experience. Heather second round (last 16) fqr the first time. Firebrands were the day's biggest winner, with a 5-0 victory over Northampton Saints. Tony Wills converted corners for of Firebrand's Koals. Hawkins, Matthews and Thomas were their other scorers.

The two services qualifiers were both eliminated. Support Command lost 2-0 to Wimbledon at Crystal Palace, where Hunt and Smyth scored; the Pay Corps went down 3-1 at Gore Court, for whom Cornett scored and was the dominant force. Driving snow caused the Cambridge City-Trojans tie to be abandoned after 55 minutes with the score 1-1 but, nearby, Bishop's Stortford struggled on to beat St George's 2-0 with two goals from Brian Lense, a recent Loughborough student. In Saturday's league matches, Neston, East Grinstead and Welton greatly strengthened their title prospects. Neston's 1-0 win over Southport puts them seven points clear in the North-west East Grlnstead's 2-0 success over Lyons, the Truman champions, six points ahead, and Welton's 7-0 trouncing of Hud-dersfield, establishes a five-point lead in Yorkshire.

MA CUP. Salond Round (February- 17); Blackheath v. Vikings (I0M) or St Albans; Bournemouth or Simon v. Reading or Welton; Edgbaston or Andover v. Stortford: Gore Court y.

Norton or Plckwltk; Weslleloh or Teddlmton v. Eowdon or Cheltenham: Peter- uvrwyn unnsieoa or nounimw; alone or SouthgMe v. Flretands; Wimbledon V. Cambs or Trojans. Basketball NATIONAL LEAGUE.

First Division: Bracknell Pirates 98, Walkers Crisps, Leicester 108; Cotlrllls Manchester Giants 120. Home-spare. Bolton 106 Crystal Palace Supersonic 95, Hcmel and Watford Royals 83: Davenports, Birmingham 7B, Sperrlngs Solent stars 90; Nissan dears, Worthing 83, John Carr, Doncasler 77; Portsmouth 72, Kingcralt. Kingston 115; Sunderland Maestras 74, FSO Cars, Manchester United 78. MEN'S TROPHY SemMlnal McEwan Tyneslde 74, Derby Turbos 68, First Division Wamen: Avon Northampton 111.

Solent Suns 29; Daihatsu Crystal Palace 64, Kingcraft. Kingston 60, Daihatsu Crystal Palace 82, Ashfleld Gloss Nottingham 75: Nomespart Boton 91, Ended Browns 50; TCB Homtspare Bolton 91, Enfield Glass Nottingham 72: Vogue Travel Manchester 64, Bath 68. SCOTTISH Semi-finals: MIM 44. Excelsior 38: All Blacks 71, Altered Images 56. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION-Chlcajo 117.

Atlanta 104; Kansas City 120, Golden Slate 111- Ml 111 Va.It IrtQ laarlUiaa tlL. li 132' Seattle 113; Washington Phoenix 105: Milwaukee 105, Houston 102: New Jersey 103, Dallas 93; Utah 96, Los Angeles 83; Denwr 144, flewland 127; Philadelphia rsnuetn 11a. Golf SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN (Durban). Final Sum (S African unless stated); 280 G. Levtnson, 69, 6B.

72, 71. 283 P. Simmons. 71, 68. 73.

284--M. James (GB). 71, 6B. 74, 71: R. Llneo 1V72, i6, 74.

72: Hennlng, 72., M. 71. 72; 7. Bland" 727 71 67. 74.

28S-S. Hobday, jfoTjl' 71, 70 I. Mosey (GB). 70. G.

Paw 73, 74, 6B, 71. 287-J. "fttmsend (US) 73, 72, 71. 71: Feherly (Ire), 76. 73.

67, 71. 2B8 A. Chandler (GB). 72. ,78 68, 70; F.

Edmonds (Can), 74, 72, 70. 72: EvansJGB). Allem. u. amrin sirer, it, 73.

ZB9 IS. 74. 71: 0. levfn (US). 71, 73.

73, 73: Price, 74. 72. 71. 73: D. Hives.

72. 75. 70. 76, LOS ANGELES OPEN. Third round (a US): 202 L.

Vadklns, 68, 70, 64; H. Sutton, 66, 66,. 70: G. Koch, 66, 66. 70.

its; raraVtiiia Lletlko. 66, 70, 68. 20S A. Bean, 67. 71, 67: D.

Pooley, 69, 66. 70. 208 L. Rlnker. 71, 70, 65.

MAZDA WOMEN'S CLASSIC (Deerileld Beach, Fla). Third round (US unless s(aled): 208 P. Bradley, 70, 70, 66: Stephenson. 71. 71, 67.

211 A. Okamoto (Jap). 73. 65, 73. .2120.

While. 71, 69, 1i. 4l-i. Hill. 73, 72, 68; Stacey, 72.

71, 70: J. Gtddes, 71, 69, 73. 214 L. Rlnker. 73, 69, 72; P.

Hammel, 74, 67. 73. 215-J. Anderson, 70, 72, 73. Bobsleigh WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOUR-MAN EVENT (Cervlnla, Italy) 1, East Girmany I (Lehmann.

Truebner. Vogt and Grummt), Onrln 14.06SM, 7 East Glrman II. 3. Swltnrlant) 1, ADE MAFE and Zola Budd reaped crucial benefits in very different ways from, the Fearl Assurance Indoor Championship at RAP Cosford. For Mafe the meeting has set a new challenge, after his resounding defeat in the 200 metres for Miss Budd the initial hurdles of her return to Britain after the Olympic Games were cleared with a 1,500 metres victory which confirmed that her freakish talent has yet to be expressed to the full.

Mate, an Olympic 200 metres finalist at the age of 17 and just 0.01 sec shoft of taking a gold medal in the. World Indoor Games last week, sat down on the competitors' bench at Cosford to pull off Ms spikes and familiarise himself with a new experience: finishing last of four in the 200 metres. Mel Lattany, the) American winner, was swift to thank British generosity for his victory. "There's the man who did it," he' said, nodding towards Charges Taylor, the Midlands coach who took time; from looking after guests at the European Coaches' Conference in Birmingham last week to oversee several of Lattany's training sessions. Pat Rowley Gregory HOCKEY Peterborough, the leaders of the East's Division 1 North, provided the only upset of the English Cup first round, defeating Fareham, last season's Inter-League finalists, 1-0 at Fareham.

Peterborough's reward is a home tie in the second round against the holders. East Grinstead, or HounsIow whose match' was one of seven postponed. The Hockey Association's ridiculous decision to start West make Midlands won the unofficial women's territorial tournament which, with the exception of the first match, was played entirely at a bitter Coldhams Common, Cambridge, this weekend. It was their first win since 1979. Yesterday they defeated East 2-1 and South 1-0 in the final match.

Despite their success Midlands never found the sort of form expected from their vaun- ted international forward line. Indeed West, who finished second overall, beat them 2-0 on Saturday, when they also beat south by the same score, West had a directness and simplicity hot apparent in the all- 2. R. Copesfako (airehfjeld) 3, A. Lnukam (Blrchfllld) 7:59.88.

1.S00M: 1. R. Harrison (Liverpool) 2, i. 8radeley (Stoke) c. rjrueiey (atom (Dumbarton) ,3:46.09.

es: 1, J. Rldgeon (Cambridge) N. Walker (Cardiff) 7.72; 3, artllffl 7 m. 3, h. uime tuumganon gum nuroies: 7.71sei: 2 N.

C. Jackson (Cardiff) 7.85 Aiiiwrn aniunnw miner 5:35.92: 2, 0. Baptlste (Thames V42.58 5'37'1; 'High' Jump: 1. A. Metellus (Canada) 2.23m; 2.

C. Shu (China) 2.20; 3, T. Sakamoto (Japan) 2.17. Trlplo Jump: 1, Z. Zoo (China) 16.50m; 2, 0.

Pracsenko U.Z9; 3, T. Ueti (Jaoan) 15.91. fole Vault: 1, V. Buhlca (USSR) 5.60m; 2 S. Bubka (USSR) 5.40; 3, 0.

Ghen (China) 5.20. WOMEN. GOM: 1, H. Oakes (Haringey) 2, P. Baker 7.39; 3, S.

Thomas (Hounslow) 7.43. ZOOM: 1, C. Smart (Cardiff) 24.44; K. Suit (Sale) 24.66; 3, D. Floekhari (Edinburgh) 26.1.

4D0M: 1. L. MacDona (Pltroavle) 54.74. 2, C. White-hum (Stretford) 55.87; 3.

S' 1.S0OM: 1, Z. Budd (Aldershol) (UK All-comers record); 2, Y. Murray (Edln- nurgni b. s-yon (Ml vvo, u.hig,. nilb.li.ci.il B.25s: 2.

W. Jea (Hartneey) 8.35; 3. K. Hanger (Essex Ladles) 8.44. Long Jump: 1.

W. Wao (China) 6.26m; 2, K. Hagger (Essel Ladles) 6.13; 3, U. Berkeley (Croydon) 6.04. Shot: 1, j.

oakes (Croydon) 17.85m; 2, M. LI (China) 17.26; 3, M. Auget (Cairrl bridge) 15.93. INTERNATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY (Fer-moy. Cork).

Men. lOLDOOm: 1, C. Herlo (W Ger) 31mln 2. B. Mamh ski (Pol) 3, R.

Scfareader (W Ger) 4, Jonas (Wales) 32:02: 8. t. do AllM (Belg) P. Tootoll (Biol 32:16. Team: 1, Ger 'B' lOpts; 2, ErnkMd 14: 3, Oar 'A' 19.

1. B. Stsonbmko (Bel sjlJmln, 35e'L2' Sflmalor (w Ger) 13:56: 3. M. Sam (Eng) 13:59: 4, G.

Hletw (Dublin) 14:09. SAN SEBASTIAN CROSS COUHTHY ilO.OOOm): w. Btaltl Ethfll rnin 17 sec: 2. M. Ktilr lElh) 3, Bouneur (Xlj) 31:34.

British: 5. N. Mulr (Scot) I Ct- C. 1 4. uoaier icngi Uiare (Fr) 2 hrs 18 min "34 see.

Brllish! uniae vnaij: uaOArunu a i. inrner, snraro, tritm. Women: 1, A. Aaarwal (Ind). 2:44:51.

British: 5, s. Martin. 3:03:22. Osaka women's! marathon: i c. 2J8.W.

CHARTRES mOSS-COUNTRY. (12.2kms): F. Panaffa iliaiyl. 38mln 21 w. 6 38:34.

OtHen 8. A. Cora Italy) 39:12. CHICAGO INVITATIONAL. Heo's 50M HurdlrsTX G.

Fostlr (US) 6.WIM (world Indoor but). Oakes -took the 0 metres in 7,24 sec sad Todd Bennett set another championship -best, holding off some young challengers in the 400 'metres. The bevy of rising young 'talent among British hurdlers clearly wanted to get at Jonathan Eldgeon, who took a bronze in the World Indoor meeting, but he kept a cool 17-year-old head with a new championship mark of 7.71 sec for the 60-metres hurdles, ikem' Billy has a long way to go to emulate Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett at 800 metres but he gave a few tactical lessons in winning his title, holding off Gareth Brown's challenge for the pole position in the last lap, and making the Cardiff man run wide on the bend. Billy always held tactical reins and his duel with Brown in the final lap gave him an advantage of just under 0.4 sec at the finish. The overseas challenge seemed to succeed everywhere in the field events except in the women's shot, where Judy Oakes pumped out the implement to a championship best of 17.85 metres.

John Rodda MILOSLAV MECIR (ahove) sprang the surprise of the US Professional Indoor Championship at Philadelphia early yesterday when he 'beat his boyhood hero. Jimmy Connors, the No 2 seed, in the semi-finals. The 20-year-old Czech, ranked No GO in the world and unseeded, bad never played Connors before but upset the experienced American 5-7, 64, G-3. Last night he met John McEnroe in the final and took the world No 1 to a tiebreak in the second set before losing 6-3, 7-6, 6-1. Chris Lloyd beat Martina Navratilova 6-2, 6-1 in the final of the Virginia Slims tournament at Key Biscayne, Florida to.

revive a rivalry which had become rather onesided. Navratilova had won 16 of their last 17 encounters. Badminton OPEN (Totool-Flnals Men's 15-H- Wamen'a jftioles: w. beat K. Larson (Den) 11-7, f-jl -7.

Men's Doublts: p. J. Bong an5 Hi- Sw" S. Korea) beat C. Hadlnata and Hadlbcwo (Indo) 17-14.

15-2. Wmcn't Doubles: Y. Ja and Y. S. H(S.

ffi) 315 SSSl" G- mi 15-3. Mixed W. Sllllland (Scot) and hsnufritit B-GMk! Fencing nni.BMt CrU SASAraPiONSHIP (De Beaumont Centre. London). Hrol: H.

n. Kemsron beat 0. i.aioBmeaa lu-fi. Cricket SHEFFIELD SHIELD, (Mllboume): Vlc-torN, 8, New South rVales 411 (SertliS -185, Dyson 97; Bright 4-1320. (Brisbane): Ojieensland 384 and Ifrt Tasmila 607-9 101'' Goodman 88: Harms 4-120).

TEST millmrm. England 196 and Australia 285-8 dec (J, Kennare 1041. Volleyball FIRST DIVISION. Men: Redwood Lodge 2, Capital CS 3: Leeds 2. Mliuno Manchester 1, Poole Liverpool.

3, Bmokfleld Spark p. Speedwell 3: Brookfleld 0, Mltuno Liverpool 3, Poole 0. Motor Sport MONTE CARLO RALLY (after first three time-trials) 1, A. Vatanan (Fin, Peugeot) 2, H. Tolnraui (Finland.

Uncla) 0.03: 3, S. aionnrlst (Sweden. Aodl-Quattro) 0.12. Skiing MEN'S SOKM CROSS. COUNTRY (Seofeld).

1. Svan (Swe) 2hr 10 min 49.9 tec; 2, rf. De Zolt (It) 3. 0. Aunl (Norway) FINAL MEDAL STANDINGS 5 Norway 5 is Finland 2 3 4 a Sweden 2-1 1 4 West.

Germany 2002 East Girmany 10 2 3 Winter Sport EUROPEAN SPEED SKATING (Eshlstuna, Swe) Men's 1, H. Vtrmr (Neth) 2mln. 00.31sec. WORLD LUGE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Oberhof. E.

Ger) Men's drafts: 1. M. Walter (E. Ger) 0J.959iec.; 2. j.

HaHmaaa (E. Geri 3 MueUer (E. Gtr) 3:03.570. WORLD CUP BIATHLON (Anterstlvi, lUlv) Team Mi. 7,5 km): I Sorlat ffilalilhr 38niln.

37.6s.: 2. E. rjarurj 3, W. Germany 1:22,4. TENNIS Marc canes them ZOLA BUDD Convincing winner of the 1,500 metres at Costard SNOOKER Ciive Everton 1 Thorburn recovers Cliff Thorburn, the beaten finalist in three of the last four major tournaments on the circuit, overcame a 1-3 deficit to beat Dennis Taylor 5-3 in the opening match of the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley Conference Centre yesterday.

It was a victory whtih not only enabled him to. avenge his 10-2 drubbing by Taylor in the final of the Rothmans Grand Prix in October but to edge ahead 4-3 in their personal Taylor, in fact, was the Canadian's first opponent on his initial visit to Britain 12 years agorThorburnrwon-that-match 9-8 and his, approach in those days vas if anything even dourer than it is now. Tournament play was then a refreshing change from playing various cue games for money in the poolrooms, of Canada and North America, but' even now Thorburn seems at his best when circumstances simulate the feeling of playing for survival. Yesterday the first frame of the tournament a century break, but Thorburn's 103 clearance was followed by two protracted frames of 38 and 45 minutes both won by Taylor. Trailing at the mid-session interval, Thorburn took the crucial fifth frame before levelling 3-3 with the aid of the first substantial! breaks since the first 44 and 31.

The Irishman's failure at the green, which could have been the forerunner of a 4-3 lead, saw him fall' 3-4 behind and Thorbur, by now psychologically at the helm made a break of 58 in the eighth frame to clinch his place in the quarter-finals and leave Taylor, after nine appearances in the event, still waiting for his firs win in the Masters. RESULTS Rugby Union JOHN PLAYER SPECIAL COP. Ttllrd Round: Bath 24, Bern Hill 3: Bedford 6, Waterloo 7: Gloucester 29, Richmond Harlequins, 59. Ealing 12: Leicester 13 Bristol 4: 'Lichfield II. Slrjcun Liverpool IS, London Scottish 13; Nottingham 15, NorlhnmptQR 3: Plymouth Albion 6, Coventry 42; Redruth 11, Lydner 29; Sale 33, Aspat'la 10; Saracens 16, Gosforth 13; Wasps 23.

Rosslyn Park 10. Postnonxd: Headlngley V. London Welsh; Wakefield Blackheath: West Hartleooal Moselry SCHWEPPES WELSH CUP. Third Round: Aberavnn 0. Pontrpool 25: Bridgend 40.

Gowerton Llandovery 4. Llanelli 40: Neath 26. Llanharan Newbridge 6. Cardiff 24; Nerrsort 12. Soul Wales Police 15: Rmm 7.

5even Sisters 13; Swansea 25. Ebbw aCLUB MATCHES. Broughlon Park 29, Wllmslo Clifton 11, Penarth 7: Harrogate 13. l-vlde 23: Launceston IS, Bldeford Met Police 42. US Portsmouth Ua 15.

Wakolleld 13: Orrtll b. Huddenfleld OsforS University 6, Nuneaton 22; Preston Grasshoppers 38. Morley 16: Rugby 3. Eshaer IB: St Helens 6, Vale or Lune 17; South Glamorgan Inst 12, Glamorgan Wanderers 2B, YESTERDAY MIDDLESEX CUP Fourth Bound: Old KJngshurlans 0, Harleglns 23; Rulsllp 7, Ross-Ivn Park 12: Staines Barclays Bank Twickenham Ket Police west London Inst. 13.

Uxbrldge 7. SURREY CUP. Fourth Rontd: Strralham-Crovdon 12. Guildford Godalmlnq 16. CLUB HATCH, Camborne IB.

ExmouUl 0, Tennis US PRO INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP (Philadelphia). Semi-finals M. Metlr Ciedt) beat J. Connors (US). 5-7, 6-4-.

6-3: J. McEnroe (UJ beat S. bavls Final: McEnroe iUS) beat M. Meclr (Caech) 6-3, 7-6, 6-1. Diubles Semi-finals: Mntram and M.

Wllander (Swe) beat H. (SWIli) and B. Tarocty 7-6. 6-2; w. Fibak (Pod and s.

Meyer (US) beat P. Slffill and T. Smld (Ciech). 6-3. 6-4.

VIRGINIA SLIMS TOURNAMENT (Key Biscayne, Fla), SemMlnals: M. Nnatllon (US) brat t. Lundgvlst (Swe). 6-2. 6-3; Lloyd (US) beat P.

Louie (US). 6-2. 6-1. Athletics PEARL NATIONAL INOOOR CHAMPION. SHIPS (RAF.Coslord).

Men. 60M: 1. R. Desnlelles (Belg) 6.65sec; 2, M. Mcfartanc (Haringey) 6.66; 3, E.

Dbeng (Belgnve) HoOM: I. M. Lattany (US) 21.36;.2, Christie (Thames Valley) 21.49; 3, E. Cullnrh (Sale) 21.62. 400M: 1, T.

Bennett (Sputhamgion). 46.83-2. A. Bennett (Blrchfleld) 3. S.

nek (Southampton) 47.B6. 80OM: 1, I. Billy (Wlrral) lmln 49.85 see; 2, (Cardiff), S. A. Morrell (Mlddlesbrouohl, 1:50.83.

0, Lewis (Rossendale their cup in January really back-fired. Another two tics were abandoned. The matches will be replayed on February 10 and the second round has been put back a week. Steve Gregory scored Peterborough's winning goal two minutes from time following up Phil Webber's corner shot. Eary in the game Fareham had wasted a penalty.

Blackheath, last year's beaten finalists, were held by Long Sutton's farmers and 40-year-olds for 43 minutes. Imtiaz, Waslm Butt and Daved eventually confirmed the discrepancy in. talent. Firebrands and Wimbledon will join Peterborough in the simple point star casts of some of their opponents. 'Few up-and-coming players staked claims for vacant places.

Exceptions were a 19-year-old newcomer, Kathy Tilbury, the West right wing, who showed dainty footwork, speed and anticipation, and Val Hallam, the worth goalkeeper. WOMEN'S TERRITORIAL TOURNAMENT: Easf 1. Midlands North 0. West south o. Midlands i FINAL TABLE A Ms 4 3 0 1 4 3 4 2 1 1 5 2 4 12 14 3 4 4 1 1 2 5 7 3 4 1 0 3 8 2 MMIlBds Wast North Soutb Gait Janet Ruff Hockey ATARI lONnrM I EAf-lIF Duhrrleh 0.

Teddlngton 1: Slough 1. Black- nein 1. kiaguc: butioioru l. funey nuH.ii.vn ku.iuv.1 ncouuiv (, jyi- bllon 1: Richmond B. Mid-Surrey 0: SL Aioans 1.

nampsieaa spencer q. nawas Wlmtiledon 0. Bromley 0. TSB NORTH-WEST LEAGUE. Alderley Edge 1.

Liverpool Sefton Beblngton 0. Bowdon BrooKlands 4, Bury 1': fflghiown 0, Young Muslims Neston 1, SouthportO; Warrington D. Northern 0. NORWICH UNION EAST LEAGUE. Cambs Nomads 1, Norfolk.

Wanderers St. Neots 3, BishOR's Stortford 2. TRUMAN SOUTH LEAGUE. Bournemouth 1, Camberley EastcoH 1, East Grinstead 2, Lyons ETESSA 1. Bognor 1, Indian Gym 2, Walton 1.

WOMEN'S TERRITORIAL -TOURNAMENT (Ooldham's Common): East 2, West North 2. SouUi 2: West 2. Midlands East 2, SMith 3. YESTERDAY HA CUP. Flirt Itaiaid: Blshoo's Stort ford 2, St George's 0: Blackheath 3.

Long Sutton Cambridge City 1, Trojans 1 (abandoned 55mlni): Fareham 0, Peterborough Town Firebrands 5. Northampton Minis ftore wiuri 3. nun, ncn einn 0. Teodlngton 0 (abandoned 35mlns): Wimbledon 2. RAF Support Command Reading 4.

Welton 3. SURREY Second Roiaid: Walton 1, spencer 2. Ttrlrd Sound: Guildford i. Dul-wlch Richmond 1. Croydon MO Surbl-ton 3.

Hawks 4 (aet). ATARI LONDON LEAGUE. Purity 2. SOMERSET CUP Quarter flaal Clevedon 0, Brean 2. ELOS flaal Bristol Unlv 5, Smiths 0.

UAU CHAMPIONSHIP. quarter final: Surrey 3, Swansea 2. REPRESENTATIVE Army 0, Wiltshire Royal Navy 0, Sussex 5. ASIA CUP (Dhaka). Japan 1, China Korea 0, Malaysia Sri Lanka 5, Slnsapnro 1, HDM INTERNATIONAL INDOOR TOURNAMENT ((The Hague).

Man, Final: Netherlands Boekanlers 9 (aet). 3rd place: Caper-calliles (Scotland) 6, Armlncn 4. 7Hi nlaca: Roses 10, Poland Juniors 9. Women. Flaal: HDM 6, HGC 1.

3rd pfaca: Scotland 7, Armlrrai 6. Snooker BENSON AND HEDGES MASTERS (Wembley) First Routs: C. (Can) beat Dennis Taylor (Blackburn) S-3. Frames (Thorburn flat). 121-7, 47-68.

47-83, 8-62. 69-33, 66-19. Ice Hockey NATIONAL tlAGUE. WaAlngton 5. New York 1: Montreal 3, New York 2: Hartford 3, Boston Edmonton 6, Pittsburgh Chicago 5, Toronto Calgary 6.

Vancouver Los Angtlet 7. St Louis 3: Minnesota 4, Detroit 4. NO MARKING TIME Ginrdeli wins his seventh race this season, the Garmisch Super gient slalom. permit dual nationality. Girardelli last season took the special slalom overall title based on a skier's best five results, was third in giant slalom, but skied no downhill partly as a reaction from a bad fall in Lake Louise in 1983 requiring orthoscopic surgery.

He said yesterday that his success an such a fast slope had encouraged him' to enter the remaining four downhills. 'Meantime, though, he has missed all the combinations Garmisch was the last with Wenzel the overall combination champion he still leads the overall with 215 points, 86 more than Pirmin Zurbriggen, who is recovering from a knee operation. Zurbriggen is training again and expects to race in Bormio. He and Wenzel could still give Girardelli a close run for the overall title won last season by Zurbriggen and in the three preceding seasons by the now retired Phil Mahre. All will depend on the final sweep through North America after the world championships.

Hoeflehner set himself up as favourite for the world championship downhill with his third victory in six World cup races so far this season. At 25 he is a late developer. The one practice' king is now the actual monarch, skiing in relaxed and confident style on.