The Daily Telegraph from London, Greater London, England • 44

44 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1997 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH Coastal clubs deserve wave of sympathy hy FOOTBALL Carman QC may prove to be Boro's trump card By Christopher Davies By A FOOTBALL Association commission will today make one of the most crucial decisions in the short history of the Premier League when they decide whether to uphold Middlesbrough's appeal against a point deduction for calling off their fixture at Blackburn on Dec 20. Middlesbrough claimed to field an under strength side due to 24 injuries and suspensions. The day before the Ewood Park game, Middlesbrough gave notice they would not fulfil the fixture. In January, a Premier League disciplinary panel concluded that Boro did not have just cause" for unilaterally calling off the match. The club were docked three points and fined £50,000.

Premier League officials are concerned that should Boro escape with just a fine it would establish a precedent the price for other clubs to postpone Premiership matches. The League believe the only deterrent is to dock points. The FA commission have the power to alter the original punishment, even adding to it. However, the Premier League feel it would be wrong to award Blackburn the three points, which Rovers want, without actually having earned them. Middlesbrough's trump card could be George Carman QC, who has some notable successes to his credit, such as defending Imran Khan against a libel action by Ian Botham and Allan Lamb last year.

Carman is sure to present a formidable -head challenge for the Premier League's own distinguished representative, Anthony Grabbiner QC. Middlesbrough's success in reaching the Coca-Cola Cup final and FA Cup semifinals may work against A the football deserve. FEW serious have things The not in study influence received English they of tide and gravity on our coastal clubs is surely the most obvious From Blackpool to Portsmouth, by of Scarborough and Swansea, way, there are seaboard clubs whose ebb and flow, and mostly ebb, can only be attributed to tidal whims; and most of the half dozen clubs clutching grimly to the bottom of England are in dire danger of dropping off. Inland docks and river sites are something different. Clubs on the Mersey or Thames, and the Tyne, Tees and Severn among others, are not seriously threatened by the pulling power of the moon or the laws of Isaac Newton.

Nor are Vale, even though they have a Port. Those in peril on the sea, however, are worthy of concern and understanding. Southampton are bottom of the Premiership, Southend are bottom of Division One and Brighton, who have been really poorly, are propping up Division Three. Bournemouth's existence is darkly threatened by debts of £4 million or so and Torquay, who finished bottom of the Football League least season, were saved by a technicality from relegation to the underworld. Portsmouth have been racked by frustration for nearly 40 years with one melancholy season in the top division, several agonising misses at regaining promotion and a penalty shoot-out defeat by Liverpool in the semifinals of the FA Cup.

Plymouth, for their part, are lower class. They know their place. Cardiff and Swansea, since the war, have climbed bottom to top division and then sunk all the way back again. And Blackpool, of course, have been living beneath their grand old dignity for a quarter of a century. them a squad who achieve that should be able to fulfil any fixture whatever the circumstances.

Boro will base their appeal, to be heard at a Heathrow hotel by a three-man commission, on a claim that the League have no powers within their rule book inflict such a penalty as originally imposed. But the Premier League are convinced they will able to show they were fectly within their legal rights to dock the points. The Premier League's 19 states no club shall, without just cause, fail to fulfil fixture obligations in respect of any League match on appointed date or dates. Middlesbrough, currently fighting clear of the relegation zone under manager Bryan Robson, seem sure claim that the ruling is insufficient to allow the Premier League to deduct points. the League will also refer their "Power of which was unanimously agreed by all member clubs at the competition's inception.

Rule 7 states they "impose such penalties way of reprimand, fine, pension, deduction of points, expulsion. or any combithose punishments as they think fit. Meanwhile, Newcastle have called on the Premier League to sort out a fixture wrangle. Newcastle Manchester United face prospect of playing four games in the final eight of the season. They want the League make Coventry switch one their matches so that Newcastle and United can their outstanding fixture.

Coventry have refused switch their game with Chelsea from April 9 to April 16 allow Newcastle to meet Chelsea on April 9 United on April 16. SPORTS IEUAN EVANS, the Welsh could not have had an easier international rugby wing, Llanelli game in which to make his comeback from injury after win night, Llanelli at writes home cantered to John to Treorchy an Kennedy. 87-5 last easy Evans has been out for a month with a calf strain, an announced that the new injury which forced him out mittee have put on hold of Wales's final Five Nations plans to redevelop the Hove match against England, but cricket ground. he proved he is back on The committee, ousted course for Lions selection by at last week's AGM, were running in Llanelli's eighth preparing to submit full try in the second half. posals to the Sports Council He then headed off for an for National Lottery funding early rest, leaving the stage to help with phase one of to namesake Garan, who ran redevelopment at the north in four tries from left wing.

end of the ground. The win, and maximum But the committee bonus points, helped Llanelli prising Marlar, a former go third in the First Division, sex captain, Tony Pigott, above Cardiff and seven county's former fast bowler, points behind leaders Ponty- Jim May and Dick Holste pridd, whom they meet at have decided on a rethink. Stradey Park on Saturday. "We have taken this Lianelli: Tries: Evans 4, Wyatt 3, Ford 2, for several reasons. We McBryde, Voyle, I Evans, Wintle.

Cons: Botica 11. understand the redevelopTreorchy: Try: Evans. ment scheme and the penalty CRICKET: Robin Marlar, for not getting it right now Sussex chairman, has severe because we cannot BMW INSURANCE COMPREHENSIVE FROM OWNERS £150 Low Cost Insurance by Design Exclusive Schemes for BMW Cars Tel: 0117 929 4971 NOW! or Phone your Nearest Branch at the Local Rate on 0345 123111 Ask for a quote on the internet: http://www.hhh.co.uk Hill House Hammond Over 250 Branches Nationwide a a a a a a a football of our resorts and seaports must be attributable to something more than lack of wherewithal, modest grounds, sprawling catchment areas, the odd pocket of apathy and a pinch of bad luck. Their real problems involve geography nature: the effect of ozone, sand between the toes, greenness and gravity. have the word of the Bard himself.

that tides in the affairs of men are critically important. THAT a social shame that the Premiership rejected this column's earnest advice back in September to grant Southampton a permanent spot among their noble Uniteds and Cities. If the Saints fall then the seating plan around English football's top table will become more inflexible than ever. There will be no Premiership club in the east, west or deep south of England unless, of course, Ipswich or Norwich make it by of the An address just off M1, M6 or Al is becoming almost a condition of Premiership membership. Long service too, counts for nothing.

The three clubs in the relegation frame are Southampton, who have been in the upper circle for 19 years, Nottingham Forest 20 years (with one season's sabbatical) and Coventry 30 years. Coventry's astonishing record, which largely a triumph of character, made the damning reports of their home defeat by West Ham all the more baffling. I can't remember when a side of their standing and in their predicament were so bluntly and broadly accused of not trying. If Coventry have a grain of pride between them, if they have any respect at all for their game, their city, their club, their fans themselves, they will now. play like champions for the rest of the season.

DIVISION ONE Hall perks up Portsmouth By Pat Symes Portsmouth. 0 PAUL HALL'S 11th goal of the season lifted Portsmouth four up the First Division places. to within two points of a -off place after Reading had held out stubbornly for 84 minutes. Portsmouth went into last night's game with an impressive record of six wins in nine matches while Reading had lost only once in the same number. But there was little about the early play to suggest that either side had Premiership quality.

Reading winger Martin Williams posed problems for Portsmouth with some penetrating centres from the right but neither goalkeeper had a save to make in the first 45 minutes. Reading joint manager Mick Gooding, 38 next month, was influential and came closest to scoring in the 43rd minute with a shot which struck a post. Referee Mark Brandwood, who sent off two along the coast at Bournemouth on Saturday, was more reluctant to reach for his cards despite some meaty challenges, and only Jeff Hopkins, for dissent, Andrew Bernal, for a foul, earned bookings in the first Bernal might have considered himself fortunate to stay on after bringing down Hall 30 yards out without cover behind him. Alan McLoughlin, who will miss Portsmouth's next two matches while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, had a header defected narrowly wide and Bradbury had a shot cleared off the line but otherwise there was little for the crowd to get excited about. But with six minutes remaining McLoughlin's corner caused chaos in the Reading defence and Hall forced a shot over the line.

Portsmouth: Knight; Whitbread, Perrett, Awford; Pethick (Igoe 67), McLoughlin, Hall, Hillier, Simpson; Bradbury, Svensson (Durnin 80). Sub: Allen. Booked: Perrett. Reading: Mautone; Parkinson, Hopkins, McPherson; Bernal, Gooding, Caskey (Holsgrove 87), Gilkes, Williams (Nogan 76); Morley, Lovell. Sub: Lambert.

Booked: Hopkins, Bernal, Gooding. Referee: Brandwood (Lichfield). NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL TALKING FOOTBALL BRYON BUTLER SPORT 5 ners, nimbys, preservationists, free land lynch mobs, tree people and manic letter-writers to local papers. Plus, naturally, hills of blood can tape. hardly be claimed that coast people don't care about football.

The residents of Brighton and Bournemouth have taken up pitchforks this season; Portsmouth's followers have just that they are overexciteable; and ask yourself if there is any place where passions run deeper Roots Hall or Plainmoor. Yes indeed. Clearly the under-achieving at man. Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson, who needs his fight against relegation from the Premier League Picture: DIVISION TWO Lord only knows, moreover, where poor old Brighton are going to play next season. A nearby greyhound stadium may be the temporary answer but this could be just another way of going to the dogs.

Southampton have had, more success than Portsmouth their attempt to better themselves by moving home. A new heaven for the Saints could be ready in a couple of years. But in the svelte belt of green land along the south coast even the erection of a dog kennel is likely to invoke the wrath of plan- Asaba goes busily Moran makes life about his business harder for Yeovil can Lawrie Madden Asaba, who made no by close range to score his By sus- Wrexham. 0 the season. Brentford.

2 Brentford's confidence ing back and they were BRENTFORD'S hopes of automatic to increase their lead promotion were back on track fol- Wrexham defender lowing this much-needed win as headed the ball into David Webb's team ended a barren Asaba, who pulled his spell which had seen them take only But Brentford were and two points from a possible 15. and they increased the Yet in the early stages this game before half time when looked destined for a goalless draw from the spot after days as Wrexham, despite continued had handled under pressure. pressure and possession, failed to Wrexham: Marriott; McGregor, to find a way through a resolute kin lips, (Cross Humes, 53), Carey, Brammer. Bennett, Booked: Russell Humes. of defence.

Brentford: Dearden; Hutchins, Brentford were content to contain McGhee, Asaba, Smith, Bent, Dennis, play and counter-attack using the pace Referee: Poulain (Huddersfield). and power of their forwards Kevin Carlisle won through to Dennis and Carl Asaba. of the Auto Windscreens Brentford's game plan paid divi- when they drew 0-0 at to dends when they scored a scrappy night in the second leg goal from a corner in the 28th min- ern area final. Carlisle and ute. After some head tennis in the leg 2-0 and now meet Wrexham area, the ball fell to Wembley on April 20.

-UP make it for Evans com- then resubmit for National funds for 12 months," Marlar explained. SNOOKER: Terry Griffiths won nine of the 10 frames last night to complete a 10-4 pro- win over Alfie Burden in the final qualifying round of the Embassy World Championthe ship at Telford. Griffiths, the 49-year-old. Welshman, now returns to com- the Crucible Theatre in ShefSus- field next month where he the will finish a 20-year career. "This is definitely my last tournament and to be able to finish at the Crucible is move something special.

It is my don't favourite venue and I will miss not playing Griffiths, the 1979 world is champion and the last player to win the event at the first attempt, now goes into Saturday's televised draw along with 15 other qualifiers. ATHLETICS: The rift between the British Athletic Federation and Amateur Athletic Association of England looks set to widen with the announcement that the AAA of will stage their own separate championships on Aug 24 and 25. Although a contract has yet to be signed, the AAA championships are likely be staged in Birmingham, the first time since the BAF were formed in 1991 that the event will take place separately from the main summer championship trials. The AAA of confirmed 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 LAST NIGHT'S Bristol Rovers 38 10 4 5 29 20 1 711 9 22 44 York 4 72324 4 6 9 16 30.43 7 6 725 28 3 6 10 22 35-42 Wycombe. 37 9 3 61913 1 513 17 Peterborough 38 5 7 7 32 30 3.

610 16 37:37 Rotherham 38 4 7 8 16 21 2: 611 16 32:31 Notts County. 38 3 7 916 21 2 11 29 27 Division 3 Doncaster (2) 3 Rochdale (9) 0 Hill 23 og Cramb 28 pen Esdaille 82 2,201 AUTO WINDSCREENS SHIELD North Final, 2nd leg Stockport (0) 0 Carlisle (6) 0 8.593 (Carlisle win 2-0 on agg) VAUXHALL CONFERENCE Altrincham. (1)1 Hednesford (0) 1 Hardy 40 Carty 90 pen 670 Kettering (0)1 Stevenage (0)2 Norman 75 pen Crawshaw 51, 58 pen 1,874 Welling (0) 0 Rushden (0)1 747 Leaworthy 82 Woking (0)1 Hayes (1) 2 Steele 79 Hall 33, Lillington 46 3,352 HOME AWAY PWD A A PtS 3 2.31.10 10 4 3 28 9 76 Kidderminster 36 12 3 34216 11 3 4 31 17 75 Stevenage .3213 3 14317 7 3 52319 66 Northwich 36 10 5 3 28 16 6 6 27 29 59 Farnborough. 34 7 5 4 29 24 7 6 5 21 19 53 Hednesford ...33 8 6 3 21 11 6 4 6 21 23 :52 Morecambe. 31 8 3 4 28.17 3 6 28 24.

51 Woking ...........31 9 4 4'36 22 5 4 5 22 20 50 37 5 6 718 27 8 3. 822 26 48 35 9 2 7:31 25 4 310 16 26 44 6 3 618 21 6 5 5 20 21. 8 4 628 22 4 410 16 27, 44 6 6 73930 5 4 817 29 43 Rushden D.34 5 6 520 20 6 210 27 30 41 Hayes 6 6 6 22 19 4 5 9 21 30 41 Dover 34 6 6 4 23 23 4 410 21 34 40 Gateshead 34 5 7 25 24 5 4 8 24 7 2 817 21 3 6 8 22 30 -38 Halifax ............32 7 3 7 28 30 3 5 714 29 38 5 3 9 19 26 3 7 8 20 34134 Bath 6 3. 717 22 2 511 22 48 32 36 5. 4 9 25 29 3 1.14 9 31 29 Spalding Cup, Semi-final, 2nd leg: Macclesfield 4, Morecambe 1 (Agg: 6-1).

FRANCE: Lille 0, Montpellier 4. SPAINISH Semi-final, 1st leg: Betis 1, Celta Vigo 0. FA UMBRO 4th rd replay: Gloucester 4, Bishop Auckland 3 (Winners meet Dagenham Redbridge). DR Prem: Ashford 0, Salisbury 1-Cambridge 2, Dorchester 2-Cheltenhar 52, Gresley 2- Hastings 4, Sudbury 3. Midland: Bedworth v.

RC Warwick postponed- lIkeston 3, Stafford 2-Moor Green 3, Shepshed 0-Rothwell 3, Sutton Coldfield 1-Stourbridge 1. Hinckley 2. Southern: Fisher 0, Yate: 1-Waterlooville 0, Tonbridge 0. Prem: Boreham Wood 1. Sutton Bromley 2, Purfleet 1 Grays 0, Hendon 0-Kingstonian 1, Heybridge 0- -Oxford 1, Staines 0- 6t Albans 1, Bishop's Stortford 1-Yeading 0, Carshalton 0-Yeovil 2, Enfield 2.

Div 1: Berkhamsted 0. Tooting 1-Maidenhead 3, Bognor. Regis 0-Marlow 0, Wokingham. 2-Thame 0, Whyteleafe 3. Div 2: Banstead 5, Hungerford 2- Bedford 0, Barking 0-Collier Row 1, Ware 0-Hemel Hempstead 0, Leighton 1-Leatherhead 5, Edgware 1 -Tilbury 0, Bracknell 1.

Div 3: Hertford 0, Braintree 1-Northwood 1, Wingate ReF 0-Wealdstone 4, Thurrock 1. Prem: Blyth 1, Emley 1 Buxton 1, Lancaster 0-Runcorn 4, Witton 0. Dives: Congleton 0, Gt Harwood. 3- -Eastwood 3, Curzon Ashton 2--Leigh 2, Workington 1-Matlock 4. Flixton 0-Netherfield 1, Ashton 0-Worksop 2, Harrogate 1.

SMIRNOFF Prem: Ards 1, Crus ers 5- Cliftonville 0, Portadown 0- Glenavoi Linfield 1-Glentoran 1, Coleraine 0. Div 1: Ballyclare 0, Bangor 2-Ballymena 3, Newry 1-Larne 0, Carrick 0-Omagh 1, Distillery 1. LGE OF WALES: Connah's Quay 2, Bangor 4-Inter Cable- Tel 1, Carmarthen 0-Newtown 2. Ebbw: Vale 2-Rhyl 1, Caernarfon 1-Welshpool 1, Llansantffraid 1. AVON INSURANCE Div 1: Oxford Southampton 1.

Prem: Derby 2. Tranmere Everton 2, Man Utd 3-Oldham 0, Liverpool 3- Sheff Wed 1, Bolton 2. Div 2: Man City 3, Burley 1. ESSEX Prem: Concord 5, Sawbridgeworth 0-Saffron Walden 1, Burnham Southend Manor 0, Basildon 1. Prem: Bicester Didcot 0- Burnham 2, Kintbury 0.

Norman Matthews Floodlight Cup: Abingdon 2, Brackley 0 Carterton 1, Leigh 4. Prem: Fakenham 0, Wroxham Harwich P. 5, Gorleston 0-Lowestoft 1. Halstead 2- Newmarket 3, Clacton 0-Tiptree 1 Wisbech 1-Watton 1, Gt Yarmouth 4. LONDON SNR Semi-final: Hillingdon 1., Cockfosters 0: LONDON -Lge Cup, Qtr-final, 2nd leg: Barkingside 1, Woodford 1 (Agg: 3-4).

MINERVA Buckinghant 4, Bedford 4-Harpenden 1, Letchworth 0. SOUTHERN JNR FLOODLIT Semifinal: Wycombe 1, Crystal Palace 1. SOUTH WEST CO'S CH'SHIP: Gloucester County FA 0, Royal Navy FA 2. UNIJET SUSSEX Div 1: Burgess Hill 0. Ringmer 3-Horsham YMCA 1, Wick 1-Langney 1, Mile Oak 1-Selsey 1, Pagham 4 Shoreham 3, Portfield 1, WINSTONLEAD 1: Corinthian 0, Thamesmead 0 -Deal 2, Folkestone 0- -Faversham 0.

Woolwich 0-Whitstable 1. Chatham Montaigu T'ment (France): England 3, Israel 0-Scotland 1. Uruguay. 1. Goodyear U-16 Trophy, Semi-final: St Joseph's Coll (Surrey) 2, William Parker (Sussex) 2 (aet).

RUGBY Welsh Nat'l Lge, Div 1: Llanelli 87, Treorchy 5. Club: Bath 26, The Army 16. RESULTS NATIONWIDE LGE Div1 Portsmouth (0)1 Reading 0 Hall 84 9,248 HOME AWAY PW DL FAWD A PtS Bolton 4015 4 1 50 18 9 8 3 36 30284 Wolves 39 8 4 72319.11 4 532 22 65 ..3710 4 33 18 9 3 27 25 64 Sheff Utd ..3910 5 4 39 21 7 6 7 27 26 62 8 4 531 16 8 7 537 22 59 10 6 3 36 22 5 7 8 18 25 58 Port Vale 40 7 9 430 23 7 6 719 24 57 Portsmouth ...38 9 4 52317 4 9 24 25 56 8 8 42517 7 210 30 42 55 Stoke. 12 2 52719 3 7 9 17 29 54 8. 7 43324 6 4 9 17 24.

53 QPR ...39 8 4 8 26 23 6 7 62428 53 11 5 3 36 18 4 214 15 37 52 Oxford Utd 39 12 3 4 35 20 2 5 13 19 35 50 Man 4. 5 27 17 4 411 21 32 50 Reading ........3811 7 21 2 412 16 32 50 9 6 431 25 5 2 12 15 29 50 West Brom 5 7 8 33 30 6 7 6 28 34 47 Birmingham.37 9 5 52718 3 6 9 15 27 47 Huddersfield .39 9 5 2619. 2. 710 016 36 45 Bradford 38 7 5 72430 2 611 16 31 38 Grimsby ........38 4 7 9 23 33 4 5 9 27 37 36 Oldham 37 4 6 9 20 27 4 5 91823 35 6 8: 6 28 28 1 513 9 43 34 Division 2 Crewe (0) 1 Bristol (1) 2 47 Bent 36, Goater 72 3,689 Notts Co (0) 0 Bury (1)1 3,306 Jepson 8 Rotherham (0) 1 Gillingham (1)2 Dillon 51 Onuora 13 2,664 Ratcliffe 57 Wrexham (0) 0 Brentford (2) 2 4,053 Asaba 29, 44 pen) HOME AWAY P.W DL A A PtS Bury 13 5 0 031 6 5 5. 8 21 28 64 Brentford .......37 710 1 25 17 10 3 6 27 18 64 Luton .3612 333 11 5 7 6 25 28061 Watford.

36 9 7 22010 6 9 31916 61 Burnley. 2 5 40 21 5 7 72119 60 Crewe .3713 4 33513 5 111 13 28 59 9 5 32312 7 5 5 26 24:58 12 2 6 26 19 4 8. 6 20 25.58 Bristol 4 435 15 6 5 9. 21 29 57 Wrexham .......36 8 7 2 26 20 5 9 51416 55 Walsall ..3710 7 3 30 18 5 210 14 22 54 Blackpool 37 9 6 3 31 18 4 7 815 21 52 Chesterfield 8 6 3 21 15 6 4 81216 52 10 3 5 29 20 4 510 16 30 50 Bournemouth 39 77 62017 6 4 91621.50 Preston ..........39 11 4 42718 3 21514 33, 48 6. 8 517-18 5 4 9 24 33-45 Bristol Rovers 38 10 4 5 29 20 1 711 9 22 44 can FA to be per- rule its Worried points in the points But to the extra STEVE WHITE to mistake from 21st goal of came surgunlucky not when the Scott Williams the path of shot wide.

not to be denied their lead just Asaba scored Wayne Phillips Williams (Ridley 62), Phil(Chalk 62), Skinner, Wat- Anderson, Statham, Bates, Taylor. Booked: Bent. of the north- The leaders' first goal came won the first three minutes. With his last Colchester at bution before being carried back Micky Engwell accepted to the final Shield Stockport last By Nicholas Harling Yeovil 2 Enfield 2 THEY had to close the gates at Huish Park last night as the race to reach the Vauxhall Conference gathered pace. But with honours even after a mighty tussle, the two ICIS League pace-setters have to wait a while before the issue as to which of them returns to a higher level is resolved.

Yeovil could hardly have wished for a better start in front of the 8,007 crowd, the best in this season. Two goals up inside six minutes and apparently coasting, they were then hit, however, by an Enfield recovery sparked by the first of two goals from Paul Moran. after A Pt contri- 32 23 6 3 59 27 75 Enfield. 32 22 8 2 72 24 74 off, left- Yeading 32 14 12 6 48 31 54 Paul Purfleet. 35 15 9: 11 54 48 54 SPORT IN BRIEF Mid Herts 4 Benton Hall bt North Hants 3 2.

2nd rd: The Berkshire bt Rochester Cobham 7 Pinner Hill bt Bishop's Stortford 2 holes; Shirley Park bt. Sudbury 4 Highgate bt Porters Park 2 Worplesdon bt Denham 6 Wyke Green bt West Hill 3 Rochford Hundred bt Beaconsfield 2 Harpenden bt Thorpe Hall 5 4. Moor Park bt Tandridge 1 hole; Chelmsford bt Purley Downs 3 Canonsbrook bt Royal Ashdown Forest 3 Thorndon Park bt Sunningdale 3 Wentworth bt Calcot Park 5 Reading bt Benton Hall 3 Burnham Beeches bt East Berks 3 Knebworth bt Hendon 1 hole. BOYS INT'L (Rosslare). -1st day: Ireland lead Wales 7-1.

(Irish names first): Campbell bt Matthews 4 Clark bt A Smith 2 Jones halved with James; Moriarty bt A Lee 6 Dalton bt A Delves 5 McDowell. bt 1 Campbell 5 Kehoe bt Manley 5 Symes halved with T. Need. ICE HOCKEY NHL: Montreal 3, Boston 1-NY Rangers 3, Pittsburgh 0 Los Angeles 2, Vancouver 2- Edmonton 5, San Jose 1. LAWN TENNIS LIPTON CH'SHIPS (Key Biscayne, 3rd rd: Larsson (Sweden) bt Doesdel (Czech Rep) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3; Courier (US) bt Draper (Australia) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4; Krajicek (Holland) bt A Boetsch (France) 6-3, 7-5; Muster (Austria) bt Haas (Ger) 6-1, 6-2; Tillstrom (Sweden) bt C.

Moya (Spain) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; A Corretja (Spain) bt Lareau (Canada) 6- 1, 7-5; Sampras (US) bt Clavet (Spain) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3); Bjorkman (Sweden) bt Philippoussis (Australia) 6-3, 6-4. 4th rd: Muster bt Alex Corretja (Spain) 6-4, 6-4; A Medvedev (Ukraine) bt Kulti (Sweden) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5; Sampras bt Larsson 6-2, 6-0; Ivanisevic (Croatia) bt Hrbaty (Slovakia) 6-4, 6-4 Women, 4th rd: Hingis (Switzerland) bt Likhovtseva (Russia) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; Fernandez (US) bt Davenport (US) 6-2, 6-4; Majoli (Croatia) bt Schett (Germany) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2; 1 Spirlea (Romania) bt Rubin (US) 6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4); Seles (US) bt A Carlsson (Sweden) 6-2, 6-1; Testud (France) bt A Sanchez Vicario (Spain) 6-0, 7-5; Paulus (Austria) bt A Fusai (France) 6-1, 2-6, 6-1; Novotna (Czech Rep) bt A Kournikova (Russia) 6-3, 6-4. KING HASSAN II OPEN T'MENT (Casablanca). -1st rd: Schaller (Austria) bt T. El Sawy (Egypt) 7-6, 6-3; Fromberg bt Stanoychev (Bulgaria) 6-7, 6-2, 6-2; Carbonell (Spain) bt Nydahi (Sweden) 6-2, 4-6, 7- Craca (Germany) bt Ran (Israel) 6-4, 6-2; Alami (Morocco) bt Solves (France) 6-4, 6-3; Squillari (Argentina) bt Carretero (Spain) 6- 3, 6-1.

ROAD RUNNING FLEET HALF-MARATHON: 1, Staines (Belgrave) 1h 03m 37s (course record); 2, Paterson (Cornwall) 1-05-55; 3, Garner (Aldershot, Farnham Dist) 1-06-08. Teams: 1, Aldershot, Farnham Dist 34pts; 2, Bournemouth 101; 3, BAD Kineton 110. Veteran: Seward (Exeter) 1-10-25. Women: 1, Sutton (Westbury) 12-35 (course record); 2, Allen (Swansea) 1- 19-08; 3, Forster (Southampton City) 1-23-45. Teams: 1, Fleet Crookham 2, Royal Navy 3, Hart Road Runners 2,390.

Turner's pass to float over a ball was neither cross nor shot but nestled just inside the far upright. When Andy Pape then went length to turn aside Howard Forinton's drive, Turner was first to loose ball to double Yeovil's lead. Their glee was short-lived. lowing a mad scramble in which Graham Roberts cleared off the Moran scored with low through a forest of legs. sa His second goal, from the penalty spot, came the 38th minute after Rob Cousins had tripped Lee Endersby.

Yeovil: Pennock; Patmore, Cousins, Roberts, (Kemp 10); Clement, Gill, Fielder, Turner; Birkby, Subs: Harvey, Brown. Booked: Clement. Enfield: Pape; Hannigan, McGrath, Carey, Carstairs; Tucker, Underwood, Endersby (St Hilaire 70); Marshall, Subs: West, Edwards. Referee: Bennett (Redhill). TOP OF THE TABLE FUGGLES HALF-MARATHON (Paddock Wood): 1, M.

Linbourne (Mdway) 1h 07m 39s; 2, Parry (Tonbridge) 1-10-00; 3, Rouse (Invicta East Kent) 1-12-15. Teams: 1, Barking Road Runners 73pts; 2, South Kent Harriers 104; 3, Tunbridge Wells Runners 109. Women: 1, Martin- Clarke (Dartford) 1-25-27; 2, A Obourne (Canterbury) 1-30-25; 3, Jenkins (Canterbury) 1-30-44. RUGBY UNION SCHOOLS: Coventry 29, Staffs 12-Lincs 21. Yorks 7.

SHOOTING RAF PISTOL CLUB Standard Pistol: 1, Yard 546pts; 2, A Ford 543; 3, Jago 537. Tyro: 1, Gallacher 486; 2, Hammond 473; 3, Sweet 446. Centre-fire pistol: 1, Ford 566; 2, P. Gardiner 555; 3, Cottingham 555. Tyro: 1, Gallacher 518; 2, Sweet 473; 3, Hammond 469.

Police pistol: 1, East 298; 2, Webb 297; 3, Ford 292. Tyro: 1, Grimsley 290; 2, Jago 284; 3, Steele- Benny 282. Service pistol: 1, Webb 161; 2, Hunter 159; 3, Crowe 159. Tyro: 1, Jago 140; 2, Grimsley 129; 3, Kettle 122. Victor Ludorum: 1, Yard 98; 2, Ford 95; 3, East 92.

Tyro: 1, Sweet 40; 2, Johnson 39; 3, Hammond 28. SNOOKER WORLD Final q'fying rd (Telford England unless stated): Horne (Scotland) bt James 10-7; Jones bt. Finbow 10-4; Lee bt Henry (Scotland) 10-5; Davis bt Ferguson 10-5; Snaddon (Scotland) bt Lawler 10-7; Price bt Michie 1.0-9; Morgan bt O'Kane (NZ) 10-6; Griffiths (Wales) bt A Burden 10-4; Mazrocis bt Small (Scotland) 10-4; Dale (Wales) bt Thorne 10-6; A Hicks bt Stevens (Wales) 10-7. SPEEDWAY SPEEDWAY STAR CUP: Wolverhampton 52, Swindon 38. UNIVERSITY SPORT BUSA GAMES Badminton: Scotland 10, Wales 5.

Basketball, men: Scotland 70, Wales 65; England 93, Ireland 90; England 117, Wales 46; Scotland 78, Ireland 108. Women: Scotland 90, Wales 36; England 50, Ireland 47; Scotland 59, Ireland 46; England 77, Wales 43. Football: Scotland 1, Wales England 1, Ireland 1. Hockey, men: Scotland 2, Wales England 2, Ireland 2. Women: Scotland 0, Wales England 1, Ireland 1.

Netball: Scotland 11, Wales 60. YACHTING BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE. Leg 4 (SydneyCape Town): Miles to go at 1202GMT yesterday: 1, Group 4 (M Golding) 2, Concert (C Tibbs) 3, Global Teamwork (M Owen) 4, Toshiba Wave Warrior (S Walker) 5, Save the Children (A Hindley) 6, Commercial Union (R Merriweather) 7, Motorola (M Lodge) 8, Ocean Rover (P Bennett) 9, 3Com (D Tompkinson) 10, Time Tide (J Hatfield) 11, Nuclear Electric (R Tudor) 12, Courtaulds International (B Webber) 13, Pause to Remember (T O'Connor) 14, Heath Insured 11 (A Donovan) 2,921. that still full the Fol- line, shot in Engwell Forinton. Moran, May.

they have been having TV negotiations with terrestrial and satellite broadcasters to ensure the event is televised, which is likely to bring the BAF and AAA of into further conflict. YACHTING: An 18-month dispute between the sport's world governing body, the International Sailing Federation, and the Offshore Racing Council for jurisdiction over big boat racing has finally been resolved. In future, the ORC will continue to administer rating rules such as the IMS and IOR and run championships for the ILC classes, while all other classes will come under the ISAF's wing. This means the Mumm 36 class switches to the ISAF. as will many other new classes such as the Corel 45s.

FENCING: Sam Johnson and David Sach lead a full British squad in the junior and cadet world championships in Tenerife today. Around 800 of the world's best young fencers representing 63 countries will take part in 10 categories. At 18, Johnson is senior and junior British No 1 and is ranked just below the top 20 internationally. Sach, also 18, produced sparkling form two weeks ago in the British Sabre Championships. RALLYING: Tommi Makinen took the lead yesterday in the Portuguese rally after the second leg of the three-day event.

to Scandinavian rival Kenneth Eriksson retired before the end of the leg, when his engine expired. Makinen now has a virtually guaranteed lead in the world championship if he can hold on to first place. ATHLETICS KINGSTON POLY OPEN MTG (Kingston) Selected winners: Men, 300m: Edmunds (Thames Valley) 34.5s. 110m hdls: A Bliss (Hounslow) 15.9. Javelin: Mackenzie (Newham Essex Beagles) 75.84m.

Women, 80m: Williams (Walton) 10.5s. 150m: Williams 18.8. 300m: Williams 40.4. 800m: Danailova (S London Harriers) 2m 17.8s. 110m hdls: Ige (Sutton) 15.7s.

High jump: A Akim (Herne Hill) 1.70m. Shot: Bennett (Epsom Ewell) 11.43. Discus: Herrington (Aldershot, Farnham Dist) 36.24. Javelin: Oboh (Herne Hill) 35.98. BASKETBALL All Star Game (Sheffield Arena): North 162, South 148.

NBA: LA Lakers 109, New Jersey 84. CRICKET SHEFFIELD Final (Perth): Queensland 320 (M Mott 86, Law 70, Barsby 67; Moody 4-75) 309 (Barsby 111, Law 72; Moody 4-76); Western Australia 165 (M Goodwin 63; A Dale 6-38) 304 (Moody 152; Kasprowicz 5-83). Queensland won by 160 runs. ICC TROPHY (Kuala -World Cup q'fying t'ment: Gp Kenya 90-8 (30 overs) bt Singapore 89 (44.4) by 2 wkts; US 312-6 (50) bt Gibraltar 123-9 (50) by 189 runs. Gp Bangladesh 83-1 (19.4) bt West Africa 82 (39.1) by 9 wkts; Malaysia 189 (49.3) bt Argentina 108 (40) by 81 runs.

Gp Holland 91-0 (23.5) bt Namibia 90 (48.5) by 10 wkts; Canada 130-6 (38.2) bt Fiji 128 (41.1) by 4 wkts. Gp Bermuda 227-9 (50) lost to Hong Kong 228-7 (49.4) by 3 wkts; Scotland 121-4 (38.1) bt Papua New Guinea 120 (36.1) by 6 wkts. CYCLING CATALAN 1st stage (Lloret de Mar, 103 miles): 1, Hincapie (US) 4h 11m 40s; 2, Bontempi (Italy); 3, O'Grady (Australia) all same time. 2nd stage (Lloret de Mar, 126 miles): 1, Smetanine (Russia) 5h 11-43m; 2, O' Grady; 3, Ekimov (Russia). Overall: 1, Bontempi (Italy) 9-23-15; 2, O' Grady at 2 sec; 3, Hincapie, same time.

GOLF HIPPO Pyle Kenfig, leading final scores: 135 O' Carroll (Cottrell Park) 69, 66. 143 Bland (Dibden) 72, 71. Bebb (Mountain Lakes) 74, 69. Ingleby (Unatt) 73, 70; Ferrie (Ainmouth) 71, 72; Dinsdale (Newport) 72, 71; Hollingworth (Denton) 72, 71. LONDON WOMEN'S FOURSOMES (Highgate).

-1st rd: Highgate bt Walton Heath 3 Porters Park bt Harpenden Common Denham bt Stockbrook Manor 6 Worplesdon bt Ashridge 4 Wyke Green bt Ellesborough 4 West Hill bt South Herts 5 Beaconsfield bt. Croham Hurst 3 Rochford Hundred bt The Army 19th; Thorpe Hall bt Crowborough Beacon 6 Harpenden bt Royal Mid Surrey 3 2. Moor Park bt West Byfleet 2 Tandridge bt Temple 7 Chelmsford bt Roehampton 1 hole; Purley Downs bt Woking 2 holes; Royal Ashdown Forest bt Gerards Cross 5 Canonsbrook bt Hankley Common 2 Thorndon Park bt Hadley Wood 1. hole; Sunningdale bt West Sussex 2 Calcot Park bt Bentley 20th; Wentworth bt Lamberhurst 5 Reading bt FIXTURES Kick- -off 7.30pm unless stated DR MARTENS. Midland: Raunds, VS Rugby v.

RC Warwick. Southern: Bashley Witney, Havant Weymouth, Newport (loW) St Leonards. Prem: Harrow Dagenham (7.45). Alfreton Gainsborough. Lge Cup, Semi-final, 1st leg: Boston Ut8 Colwyn Bay.

LGE OF WALES: Aberystwyth Porthmadog, Briton Ferry Barry, Cemaes Bay Flint, Conwy Holywell, Ton Pentre Cwmbran. AVON INSURANCE COMB. Div 1: Bristol West Ham (Clevedon), Bristol Brighton (Yate), Charlton Norwich (2), Palace Bournemouth (Plough Lane, 2). Ipswich Wimbledon (7.15), Portsmouth QPR (7), Arsenal (2). HELLENIC: Endsleigh Almondsbury, Shortwood Tuffley.

JEWSON: Soham TR Warboys, Sudbury Res Diss. MINERVA MIDLANDS: Arlesey v. Biggleswade, London Colney Royston. OPTIMUM INTERIORS CAPITAL: Brentford Rushden (7.45), Cambridge Northampton (2). Stevenage Wycombe (7.45).

Doxhill President's Cup, 3rd rd: Welling Reading, Woking Leyton Orient (7.45). Semi-final: Barnet Peterborough (2). Prem: Birmingham Leeds (Hednesford, 7.15). Div 1 (7): Huddersfield-v Coventry, Middlesbrough Blackpool, Vale Preston, Sheff Utd v. Notts Co (Don Valley Stadium), West Brom Aston Villa (Halesowen).

Div 2 (7): Mansfield Wrexham, Rotherham. Shrewsbury. Div 3 (7): Bury Chester, Doncaster v. Darlington, Rochdale Scunthorpe, Walsall Lincoln, Wigan Chesterfield. Cup, (7): Stoke Grimsby.

UNIJET SUSSEX COUNTY: Hailsham Hassocks Saltdean, Three Bridges Southwick. WINSTONLEAD KENT: Sheppey v. Beckenham. RUGBY Courage Clubs Ch'ship, Lge 1: Wasps London Irish (Loftus Roed, 7.45). Lge 4 North: Nuneaton Worcester.

Clubs: Lydney Royal Navy (7), Moseley RAF..