The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 37

SPORTS GUARDIAN 36 Wednesday September 9 19R7 David Lacey in Dusseldorf on the task facing Bobby Robson's men in tonighttay against West Germany England measuring up for Europe Michael Henderson on today's games Rice prepared for the feasfs SOCCER Bobby Robson begins his sixth season as England manager tonight with a match which will tell him just how good his present side really is. England have not won in West Germany for 22 years and a victory in Dusseldorf would give the team an enormous fillip for their remaining European Championship qualifying games, especially the visit to Yugoslavia in November. After taking over from Ron Greenwood in 1982, Robson lost his first match at Wembley, a friendly against the Germans who won 2-1, largely through the striking qualities of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. There is no such obvious class in Franz Beckenbauer's team tonight, but still enough potential to provide the sort of yardstick against which Robson's side needs to be measured. Without Terry Butcher and Bryan Robson, England are not at full strength, but barring More sport, page 35 further injuries this is more or less the team that will face Turkey at Wembley on October 14 and Yugoslavia in Belgrade on November 11.

The imminence of these games and England's habit of missing out in competitions where only the group winners qualify, has persuaded Robson to go for experience in midfield. So, with Gary Mabbutt taking Butcher's place at centre-back, Peter Reid, rather than Neil Webb, comes in for Bryan Robson. The 31-year-old Reid, now a player-coach at Everton, has only appeared once for England since the World Cup defeat by Argentina last year and was injured for much of last season. To ignore Webb at this stage after saying that the player was ready for his first cap anywhere at any time, might appear a little perverse. Webb is 24, and if he is to be part of the scene in West Germany next summer, assuming England qualify, one would have thought that tonight's match players, with Peter Beardsley in high-kicking mood, training in Dusseldorf yesterday will find Old Trafford different in pace and character to the lively track on which Sylvester Clarke speared Northamptonshire last week.

Groundsman Peter Marroh may as well leave a note for Clarke: "Can't think what you've come for, Sylvers." The momentum Lancashire have gathered from four consecutive wins should ensure them of second spot, a major triumph for David Hughes and Alan Ormrod, who inherited an ill-assorted bunch that would have disgraced Captain Mainwaring's platoon. Hughes adopted the rallying cry of Corporal Jones: "They don't like it up "em." Lancashire have played their most enterprising cricket for years with Graeme Fowler leading the English-qualified run-makers, Neil Fairbrother earning a winter in the sun, Folley coming through and Michael Ather-ton putting down a hugely impressive marker. There's even been laughter in the committee room. For Leicestershire to be near the top at all is remarkable. There have been times this summer when their antics have resembled one of those Sunday night TV inquiries into strange religious sects where believers shower each other with vile flbUSG Lately, however, there has been a.different shade of belief at Grace Road where the attack of Agnew, almost always, Ferris, most of the time, and DeFreitas, sometimes, has prospered.

Agnew, unimpressed with the selectors' wise monkey act, needs just four more wickets from the home game which begins today against Gloucestershire and the Canterbury affair which ushers Derek Underwood into retirement to reach his first-ever ton. Paddy Clift, due to bow out next week, has brought his departure forward by visiting his ill father in South Africa. Les Taylor takes over. David Bairstow, facing a target of 12 runs off the last over, was dropped by Mike Atherton on the long-off boundary off the first ball, then saw Yorkshire to victory over Lancashire off the last ball of the Asda Challenge final yesterday. Phil Robinson hit 108 off 94 balls and with Bairstow put on 160 in 23 overs as Yorkshire chased a Lancashire total of 278 for eight in their 50 overs.

Mike Watkinson had hit 149 off 113 balls for Lancashire. CRICKET In the 1976 Wisden a young man's face, cherubic almost, peeped from the Nottinghamshire entry. Clive Rice, charged with the task of replacing the irreplacable, had responded to Gary Sobers's departure con brio and the county emerged from subterranean depths to "show promise for the future." How distant it all seems now. Rice and his pal from the class oi '78, Hicnard Hadlee, delivered one County Championship trophy in 1981 and are almost at term with another. Lancashire can still deny them if they glean maximum points from Surrey and Essex but Trent Bridge can prepare for a knees-up on Friday evening probably before then unless Glamorgan and rain collude to celebrate a special valediction.

Pity poor Franklyn Stephenson: next season it's his turn to replace the irreplacable. Having come so close in 1984, the year of Hadlee's double, when a boundary catch by Somerset's Richard Ollis deprived them of the title in the final over of the final day, Nottinghamshire know all about the poisoned chalice. But this week has already seen the obverse side of the coin, Rice and Hadlee clawing back the NatWest Trophy that seemed bound for Northampton, with more to come on Sunday when they, neighbours Derbyshire and leaders Worcestershire joust for the Refuge Assurance title. The treble remains within reach. "The championship is still the big one to win," said Ken Taylor, the team manager.

"The NatWest victory has helped us relax a bit and our chances are better than they were before." Glamorgan's frontline pace attack comprises Greg Thomas and Corrie van Zyl, resting their injuries respectively in the valleys and the veldt; Nottinghamshire have the finest fast-medium bowler in the world, 11 wickets away from a second double, bidding farewell to county cricket. No need to cut the grass this week. Lancashire's pitches have undergone changes this year, enabling Jack Simmons and Ian Folley to bowl long, productive spells. Surrey, who start their final three-day game of the season just three points behind the second-placed club, John Rodda in Rieti RUNNING MEN The England would have given him a solid introduction to international football. Robson said yesterday that he had considered picking the Nottingham Forest player but had decided on Reid, "because we need experience in the middle in this game.

He can stiffen it for us and we may need this if we're playing Hoddle as well. Reid is the best man for the job in this field other than Reid is in because Robson wants a ball-winner to counter the prodigious talents of Olaf Thon, the 21-year-old midfielder, whom Beckenbauer hopes will inspire West Germany next summer. Moreover, with Lothar Matthaus injured, England look more powerful in the central positions. One of these is still in doubt. Steve Hodge has not fully recovered from a stomach virus and if not 100 per cent fit, John Barnes, who has impressed Robson with his performances for Liverpool, will start only his third game for England in 24 internationals.

There are just three survi vors from West Germany's 1986 World Cup Final team Brehme, Allofs and Voller although Herget, Dormer and Littbarski are not exactly novices. Beckenbauer's attack will probably put England's defenders under the sort of pressure they can expect against the Yugoslavs. The centre-back partnership has seldom looked right since Robson became manager, but had one of its better days when Mabbutt and Adams played together in Turkey in April. With Butcher recovering from POTENTIAL troublemakers have been warned they face tough action from police if there is any outbreak of violence at tonight's match between West Germany and England. Dusseldorf police are working out the final details of unprecedented security mea sures to prevent hooliganism at a match widely seen as the acid test of West German ability to deal with hooliganism at next year's European Championship.

There are likely to be few Britons among the expected 50,000 crowd as all ticket sales for the game were banned in Britain. Scots giklas itches David Lacey Ger U-21 2, EngfenJSjpIl 0 Off day for Cottee Us Patrick Glenn Bonan for Cup in Italy Each of the 24 countries who qualify for the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy will be entitled to a minimum income of $1.4 million (875,000) said Joao Havelange, president of FIFA, speaking in Glasgow yesterday. This figure should lend impetus to the ambition of all countries who go into the draw for the qualifying stages in December. The 24 successful countries' will each receive an immediate bonus of They will also earn $400,000 every match they play. With1 a inininwiTi of three games in the first phase of the finals, the total of $1.4 million is guaranteed.

There will be 53 matches in all, covering a month from June 9 to July 8 at stadiums throughout Italy, and each match, between theearnlngs and the expenses of the participating teams, will cost $1 million Havelange was In Glasgow to announce that Scotland are to be the hosts of the 1989 under-17 World Championship, and he called this decision "an indication of our confidence in the young people of Britain following the tragedy of the Heysel Stadium in Havelange also laid to rest for the foreseeable future the often stated resentment of other countries over the British associations enjoying four separate teams at international level. He pledged that there would be no amalgamation of the associations into one entity. "At the FIFA congress in Mexico, I was instructed to review the statutes. The African delegation were insistent that the British associations should field only one international team. That is not my view, and I am confident that my successors will adopt the same view.

"I 'believe that FIFA has two perfect aspects. The first is the laws of the game and the second is tne statutes. They cannot be improved upon, and I believe that any forced modification of either would see the end of football. "The four British associations are over 100 years old, and they have set the example for the rest of the world. In addition, they joined FIFA more than SO years ago by signing a contract which stipulates that they shall remain separate.

I will not be the president to violate tnat contract." United for Woods MANCHESTER UNITED are believed to be favourites to sign the unsettled England No. 2 goalkeeper Chris Woods, whom Rangers are willing to sell for around 800,000 after a year in Glasgow. United, who face opposi tion from Arsenal and West Ham, 'are unwilling to pay that figure, and are likely to put together a package in volving tne full-back Colin Gibson and displaced goalkeeper Chris Turner, plus cash. As part of their centenary celebrations, tne Football League are believed to have invited Napoli to replace Rangers in a match against Everton on November 25. Derby County yesterday confirmed that they have received a 400,000 offer for their unsettled England Under-21 winger Nigel caiia-ghan, who interests a number of London clubs.

Luton's manager, Ray Harford, had talks yesterday with the Hibernian winger Mickey Weir about a possible 300,000 move, out Aoeraeen will not be pursuing Luton's striker Mick Harford. Leicester's Finnish international striker Jari Ranpanen has received a work permit while Bristol City have com pleted the 37,500 signing of Steve trainers irum Wimbledon. Southend, who have conceded 16 goals in their last three matches, have sacked two coaches, the former West Ham players Kevin lock and Paul Heffer. Russell Thomas RESULTS Football EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPION-8WP. Group 3 (Moscow): France 1, USSR 0.

Group 8 (Fort. Finland): Finland 3, Czechoslovakia 2. FOOTBALL COMBINATION. Charlton 4, Bristol West Ham 3, Fulham 1. Tennis US OPEN (New York).

Woman's singles, fourth round: Oral (WO) bt Hanika (WG) 7-5, 6-2: Sukova (Czj bt A Hobbs (OB) 64, 6- 2: Kohde-KUsch (WO) bt MandUkova (Cz) 6-7. McNeil (US) bt Garrison (US) 7-8. 3-8. 7-6. Man's slnglM, third round: Svensson (Swe) bt Yzaga (Peru) 2-6.

6-2, 8-2; Flaeh (US) bt Sanchez (Sp) 5-7. 7-8. 7-6. 7- 5. Man's singles, fourth round: I Connors (US) bt Leconte (Fr) 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3; Gilbert (US) bt Becker (WG) 2-6, 6-7.

7-6, 7-5. 6-1: McEnroe (US) bt A Gomez (Ecu) 6-4, 7-6. 6-3. Women's singles, fourth round: Evert (US) bt Maleeva (Bui) 7-5. 6-4: Sabatlnl (Arg) bt Bungc (WG) 1-6.

6-1. 61; Shrt-ver (US) bt I Novotna (Cz) 6-3. 7-6. Baseball AMERICAN LEAGUE'. Seattle Mariners 6.

Cleveland Indians 4: Minnesota Twins 8, Chicago White Sox 1: Toronto Blue lays 5. Mil-waukee Brewers 3: Kansas City Royals 5, California Angels 2: New York Yankees 9. Aouita pushes confid Elliott to new heights A Barcelona reserve and a Third Division player will carry the burden of providing goals for Wales in the absence of Ian Rush tonight. On the broad shoulders of Mark Hughes and Andy Jones, rest their country's hopes of defeating Denmark in the European Championship at Cardiff, an unenviable responsibilty for this new striking partnership, writes Russell Thomas. Although Wales yesterday accepted defeat in securing the injured Rush from Juventus following the Italian club's despatch of the required medical documentation to UEFA, the manager, Mike England, still declined to name his team until midday today.

But Hughes and Port Vales's Jones seem certain to link up. He is also expected to recall Neville Southall, even though the injury-plagued goalkeeper has yet to play a senior game for Everton this season. The final Welsh choice, complicated by Phillips's stomach bug and Hodges's ankle trouble, is unlikely to make one of the world's most capable teams quake in their boots. But Denmark's coach, Sepp Piontek, is Tony Cottee of West Ham was sent off for the first time in his career last night as the England Under-21 side lost 2-0 to West Germany at Ludensheid. Cottee, whose father, a former FA coach, was among the crowd of 3,600, was dismissed just on the hour after he had turned and kicked the West German right-back, Zanter.

He is the first England player to be sent off at this level since Paul Elliott in a game against Denmark at Maine Road in March 1986. The incident was out of character for Cottee, the only full cap in the England team last night. "I know I shouldn't have kicked him," he said after the it was just frustration. They had been having a go at me all night." The dismissal of Cottee did little to brighten a generally gloomy evening for Dave Sexton's side, who were well beaten by a more skilful and imaginative team. England Under-2ls have now won only twice in 12 matches.

Ludwig Kogl, the outstanding Bayern Munich winger, played a major part in an impressive I a slipped disc, this could be the pairing for the immediate future, unless Voller and Allofs run riot tonight. Even allowing for Robson's views on Reid's role, the mid-field is going to be heavily dependent on Hoddle repeating the sort of form he showed in Madrid last season when Lineker scored all England's goals against Spain in an outstanding 4-2 victory. Lineker could also be England's match-winner again tonight. Indeed, if the game turns into an exchange of shots between Lineker and Voller, we could well be in for some excitement. ENGLAND: ShUton (Derby Anderson (Manchester (Arsenal), Adams (Arsenal).

Mabbutt (Tottenham). Reid (Everton). Hoddle (Monaco). Hodge (Tottenham) or Barnes (Liverpool). Waddle (Tottenham).

Beaidsley (Liverpool), Unaker (Barcelona). Substitutes to be named. WEST GERMANY: Immeli Xohler. Herget, Buchwald, Prontzeck, Brehme, Dornor, Thon, Littbarski, Voller. Allofs.

and Jones aware of Jones's menace, going so far as to call him a better partner for Rush than Hughes after watching the 24-year-old make his debut against the Finns in April. Nothing less than victory tonight will do for Wales, who complete their Group Six programme with formidable tasks in Denmark and Czechoslovakia. The section leaders are still without Molby in midfield.They still possess plenty of quality, however, with Ratcliffe and co being faced by Elkjaer, together with Laudrup and Jesper Olsen, who are both set to play with minor injuries. In Dublin, the Republic of Ireland, in their penultimate game, will go top of Group Seven with what should be a victory over Luxembourg. WALES (probable): Southall (Everton): Starter (Oxford).

Van Den Hauwe (Everton). Ratcliffe (Everton), Blackmore (Manchester Utd). lames (Leicester), or Williams (Derby Phillips (Coventry). Nicholas (Aberdeen). Hodges (Newcastle), Hughes (Barcelona), Jones (Port Vale).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Peyton (Bournemouth): Langan (Oxford Utd), Moran (Manchester Utd), McGrath (Manchester Utd), Griraea (Luton). Houghton (Oxford Utd). Whelan (Liverpool). Brady (West Ham). Gal- vin (Sheffield Wed).

Byrne (QPR). Stapleton (A)ax). subs: O'Hanlon (Rotherham), Ander son (Newcastle), Sheridan (Leeds), O'Brien (Manchester Utd). Quinn (Arseni iniancnesier ura. uuinn (Arsenajr wary Albion defending.

Nebbeling sent a hopeful high ball into the area, where three men watched as Bright took possession, turned and calmly angled his seventh goal of the season past Naylor's left hand. The main thrust of Palace's attacking was coming down the left with Salako receiving a healthy supply of the ball. But a cross from the other flank produced the next chance, Cannon driving a good chance over from 12 yards. Nothing in the first half, however, prepared Albion for the onslaught that followed the interval as Palace added three goals in 12 minutes. First Redfearn shot home from eight yards and then Bright headed his second from Wright's magnificent deep cross.

In the 58th minute Wright rifled home a low shot. Giants on Monday. Otherwise much of the interest this season will centre on 23-year-old Viiroy Testaverde, the No. 2 pick in this year's NFL draft, who has signed an $8.2 million six-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The big question is whether the young quarterback can adapt quickly to the professional rough and tumble and rescue the lowly Buccaneers.

Then there is Bo Jackson who is trying to match Jim Thorpe's old record by playing both professional baseball and football in the same year. When Jackson plays his last' baseball game for the Kansas City Royals this summer, he will join the Los Angeles Raiders as a running back. Russell Thomas C. Palace 4, WBA 1 CoppelTs Crystal shin 7K Irish League 2, Football League 2 Mirandinha saves face out two new caps TWO new caps, Steve Clarke, the Chelsea full-back, and Iain Durrant, the Rangers midfielder, have been picked for Scotland's friendly match against Hungary at Hampden Park tonight, and the Scotland coach, Andy Roxburgh, has hinted that Bryan Gunn, the Norwich City goalkeeper, could also be capped at some stage of the game. With the exception of Gordon Strachan, Willie Miller, and Roy Aitken, the team comprises players aged between 20 and 25, with an average age of 23.

Clarke has had a special place in Roxburgh's affections since the day in 1983 when, at the under-19 World Championships, he scored the winning goal against Mexico at the Aztec Stadium in front of 100,000 spectators. "That was some day," Roxburgh recalled. "Stevie scored five minutes from the interval, and from then to the end there was a non-stop hail of bottles from the crowd. Stevie showed then that he could handle a heavy atmosphere and I am sure he's a better player now." Durrant, aged 20, has impressed everybody in the Scottish game over the last two seasons. He's an amazing lad, you know," Roxburgh said.

"Look at him, he's built like a jockey's whip, but he'll munch away at hamburgers just to keep him going between meals. "I can think of no other midfielder in Britain who constantly plays in front of the ball. His energy is tremendous and it's no wonder he scores regularly. "Our strikers are greatly in need of the kind of support Durrant can provide." SCOTLAND: Leighton (Aberdeen): Clarke (Chelsea). Gough (Tottenham), Miller (Aberdeen), Nlcol (Liverpool).

Strachan (Manchester Utd). MeBtay (Celtic). AKken (Celtic, cap). Durrant (Rangers). lohnston (Nantes).

McColst (Rangers). Patrick Glenn players are not members of the union and have already made it clear they would not join a strike. The New York Jets' star halfback Freeman McNeil, who has three years left on a contract that will pay him 785,000 dollars this season, said: "I signed a contract to perform as an individual and I have to uphold that. I have to stick with my Commented the Jets' player representative, Kurt Sohn, "you probably can't blame the higher-priced players, but I think it's short-sighted. You'd hope they'd respect the Quarterback Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers, a team that has traditionally been more non-union than most NFL German victory, combining well with Schwabl to outwit England's defence on the left.

Labbadia gave West Germany the lead midway through the first half, forcing the ball in after Kreuzer's header had beaten Walsh and rebounded from the foot of the near post. Walsh gave way to Flowers for the second half but almost immediately Peter Shilton's successor at Southampton was beaten by Riedle's diving header, Kogl having produced another beautiful touch to give Schwabl the chance of a centre. England had their opportunities but poor finishing remains their most persistent problem. Clough wasted several chances and while Beagrie, the Sheffield United winger brought into the squad at the weekend, had a promising first half before being replaced by Carr, England rarely equalled Germany's penetration. Even before Cottee's dismissal England had shown signs of letting their frustrations get the better of them, and reduced to 10 men they could produce nothing to trouble Reck, one of Germany's oaLtianding young goalkeepers.

later the part-timers equalised when Gerry Mullan flighted the ball into the goalmouth, where Martin McGaughey challenged Grobbelaar, who dropped the ball. Sid Burrows scored. Grobbelaar was beaten again in the 30th minute when Billy Caskey scored with a 25-yard drive which hit the inside of the post and rolled in. IRISH Dunlop (Linfleld). McMullan (Larne), Curliss (Portadown), Bowers (Glentoran).

letfrey (Linfleld). McCraadle (Coleraine), Caskey (Glentoran), McGauphey (Linfield), Mullan (Glentoran). Burrows (Linfleld). FOOTBALL Grobbelaar (Liverpool). SterUnd (Sheffield Wednesday), Bru-ce(Ndrwich).

McClelland (Watford). Winter-burn (Queen's Park Rangers). Ardiles (Tottenham HotspurJ.Gib-aon (Manchester United), DrinkeU (Norwich). Mirandinha (Newcastle). Referee: G.

Hyndes (Portadown). posal to the union's executive director, Gene Upshaw, in the hope of getting both sides back to the bargaining table for a settlement before Sunday. The present contract between the players' association and the club owners expired on August 31 and the union has already set a strike date reportedly to begin after the second week of the season. John Spagnola, a union representative from the Philadelphia Eagles, stressed that a strike would only be held if everything else failed. "A strike is the ultimate leverage we have, just like the United States has a nuclear bomb," he said.

Just how effective a strike would be is open to question. Many of the star millionaire on Sunday against John Walker, probably Overt and others. Walker, fourth last night in 3min 34.81sec, said: "We need something under 3min 50sec, so we don't want a field of 22 runners," a message to Andy Norman, the British promotions officer. Elliott said he had intended to go out and run his own race and make Aouita respond, and this is exactly what happened. It is possible to run one's own race even in paced events designed to help others.

Ovett broke the world 1,500 metres record in Rieti four years ago and it has had many other distinguished competitors for its annual festival of athletics. Last night there were 13 world champions, including five world record holders, competing. But the lire did not run to pitching Ben Johnson against Carl Lewis. They ran in separate races. Johnson went first and, easing down, recorded 10.35sec.

Lewis responded with a much more earnest race, winning in 10.05sec. Stefka Kostandinova, of Bulgaria, indicated that she may soon be moving closer to a high jump of seven feet 2.135 metres. Having achieved a world record of 2.09 metres in winning the gold medal in Rome, she again defeated the Soviet jumper, Ta-mara Bykova, at two metres and then had the bar raised, after clearing 2.06 metres, to 2.10 metres. That silenced the chattering round the arena and her second attempt was all but successful, with back and thighs clear before her calves brushed off the bar. Her third attempt, not quite as good, nonetheless suggested that she is capable of going higher.

ision: Leading positions: 1, San Francisco Giants 2. Houston Astros 3. Cincinnati Reds Hockey WOMEN'S EUHOPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP (Pickett's Lock. London): Pool England 6 (Cheetham 2, Hambly pen, Brown 3). Spain V.

West Germany 1. Ireland 0: Italy 3. Austria 0. Loading postnons: Pool 1. Netherlands 8 pis; 2.

USSR 6: 3, Scotland 4. Pool I. England 7: 2. Ireland 3. West Germany S.

ASDA CHALLENGE TROPHY YORKSHIRE Sharp Abrahams 50 A A Metcalfe lbw Watkinson 4 1 Love Watkinson Hayhurst 22 Robinson Hegg Hathurat toe Bairstow not out aa Hartley Hughes Watkinson 4 Carrick bAUott 1 Hartley not out Extras (Ib7. vrS) 12 Tots) (for 8. 80 overs) 277 Fall of wickets: 82, 89, 249, 257, 260. Did not bat: A Sidebottom, larvis, Fletcher. Bowling: Allot 10-0-38-1; Watkinson 10-1-61-2; 0'8haughneasy 9-0-58-0; Hayhurst 10-0-47-2; Simmons 7-0-42-0; Abrahams 4-0-26-1.

Umpires: Leadbeater and I Burkenshaw. ATHLETICS Peter Elliott, silver medallist in the 800 metres at the World Championships, ran the fastest 1,500 metres of his life last night, 3min 33.23sec, in a challenging race against Said Aouita in the small town of Rieti, north of Rome, yesterday. The Moroccan won in 3min 32.71sec with a kick across the final 150 metres, but Elliott demonstrated his new-found confidence by running his own race rather than responding to the tactics of someone else. It takes him into fourth place among Britain's 1,500 metres runners, behind Steve Cram, Sebastian Coe and Steve Overt. Making use of the pace-makers, Elliott settled into second place for much of the race and made his strike for the front with 350 metres left, holding that position until the final bend.

"I thought I'd have a go," he said, but his courage slipped slightly when he looked back twice down the back-straight. Aouita, who has not been defeated since Cram broke the world record for 1,500 metres in Nice two years ago, duly psssed For Elliott it was further evidence that he must now consider the 1,500 metres as his first-string event for the Olympic Games next year. He had strength and speed to run the final 800 metres in lmin 54.1sec and the final 200 metres in 27.39sec. The silver medal and now two seconds off his 1,500 metres time this year are important staging posts for him. Elliott returns to London to race the mile at Crystal Palace Boston Red Sox 5: Detroit Tigers 12.

Baltimore Orioles 4: Oakland Athletics 2. Texas Rangers 1. Eastern Division: Leading positions: 1. Toronto (w83. 154.

pct.606); 2. Detroit 3. NY Western Division: Leadingpoaltions: 1. Minnesota Twins (74-6VS32): 2. Oakland Athletics 1 3.

Kansas City Royals (68-70-493). NATIONAL LEAGUE. Eastern Division: Lending positions: 1. St Louis Cardinals NY Mets 3. Montreal Expos Western Dtv- Cricket SCARBOROUGH.

Yorkshire beat Lancashire by 4 wickets. LANCASHIRE a Msndlslbw Stdabottom 16 Fowlsr Carrick Sidebottom 21 MA Atherton ibwb Love 2 I Abrahams run out 6 Watkinson Robinson Sidebottom .149 DP Hughes Metcalfe Carrick 25 I O'Snaughnessy out 10 AN Hayhurst blarvis 13 PI AUottnotout 10 WHHeggnotout 0 Extras 21 Total (lor 6. 80 overs) 273 Fell Ol Wkts 39, 38, 47, 49, 140, 177, 238. 272. Did not bat: I Simmons.

Bowling; larvis lo-l-41-l; Sidebottom 9-0-64-3: Carrick 10-1-33-1; Love 10-1-59-0: Fletcher 9-0-49-0. Newcastle United's Brazilian forward Mirandinha saved the Football League's faces with a 78th-minute equaliser in the centenary celebrations match at Windsor Park, Belfast, last night. He ended a one-two with Ardiles and slipped the ball past Dunlop for his first goal in British soccer. In the first half Bruce Grobbelaar handed the Irish an equaliser in the sixth minute after the Football League, appearing in Belfast for the first time in 17 years, had taken a fourth-minute lead. Colin Gibson found himself with an open goal after picking up a half-hit shot from Mirandinha.

but two minutes Ron Atkinson's return to London as a manager last night ended in emphatic defeat at the hands of one of his former Old Trafford charges. The man entrusted with rebuilding West Bromwich could not argue with the style with which Steve CoppeU's resurgent Crystal Palace team demolished them. Encouraged by their startling 6-0 victory at Birmingham their biggest away League win since 1922 Crystal Palace were not slow to show adventure. In the eighth minute Gray played an incisive ball to Thomas, whose shot was blocked by Naylor. Goodman outmanoeuvred Stebbing and produced a low cross that Wood, guarding the near post alertly, sprung forward to hold.

Palace duly delivered in the 27th minute, courtesy of un teams, said: "I guess I'd want to hear what the rest of my team mates say, but personally I would want to The betting seems to be that negotiations this week will develop into a cliffhanger with a settlement to save a strike being agreed on at the last minute. As the players at the New York Giants' training camp were warned recently, it is less than five months to the Super Bowl to be held this time in San Diego on January 31. Bad news for the Chicago Bears is that their great quarterback, Jim McMahon, although back in training, has not yet fully recovered from reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder and will not be opening for them against the W.J. Weatherby in New York reports on a strike threat to the new American Football season, which begins on Su(aj How the players could make gridiron grind to a halt A strike is threatening Sunday's start to the 1987-88 season with the players' union demanding that contract negotiations be completed satisfactorily this week. Before the last collective bargaining agreement was reached in 1982, the players went on strike for 57 days, which reduced the 16-game season to nine.

This time the negotiations between the National Football League Management Council and the NFL Playors" Association have been dragging on since April and stalled last week over the union's demand that player representatives be paid for a full season even if they are released. This week management negotiators presented a new pro.