The Daily Telegraph from London, Greater London, England • 46

10 MONDAY, APRIL 21, 1997 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH EUROPEAN GOLF Cage leaves rocky patch behind him for first title US GOLF EUROPEAN GOLF SNOOKER SPORT 10 US GOLF Bitter sweet win for Price By Bill Blighton in Hilton Head, Carolina NICK PRICE completed an emotional victory in the MCI Classic with the former Open and PGA champion easing to a six-strokes triumph at Harbour Town, Hilton Head, Southe Carolina 40-year-old yesterday. Zimbabwean's first US tour win for three years was a poignant moment, his thoughts with his caddie Jeff "Squeeky" Medlen, who underwent a second bone marrow operation on Thursday in his fight against leukaemia. Price admitted to thinking of Medlen, his caddie since 1990, at least 30 times during a final round of 66 for a 15- under par 269, which was never threatened by runnersup, Sweden's Jesper Parnevik and American Brad Faxon. "It's a bitter-sweet moment; it's a great pity that Squeeky cannot be here to share this with me," said Price, who has been in constant contact with Medlen's wife Diane. He added: "He has hospital for 12 weeks and the next five or six days are going to be absolutely Parnevik also fired a 66 to enjoy his seventh top five finish in just 11 events and further press his claim for a Ryder Cup debut against the Americans in September.

He collected including a -trick from the 12th, tos this hoist year his to a earnings remarkable in the $764,000 Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie completed month trip to the United States with a final flourish. Although his closing fiveunder par 66 came too late to affect the outcome of his sixth tournament in America, Montgomerie travels back to Britain tonight feeling much better than when he arrived here. Montgomerie had gone extremely close to pulling out of the event after a final round of 81 in the Masters and was ultimately delighted for a change of mind which resulted in a level-par final total of 284. Defending champion Hale Irwin became the first player since Sam Snead in 1972-73 to win back-to-back US PGA Seniors' Championships when he strolled round the Champion course at PGA National yesterday with a final round 68 for a 12-shot victory over Dal Douglass and Jack Nicklaus. Details: Sport 9 By Richard STUART CAGE, the former Walker Cup player from Leeds, gained his first European Tour victory with a fiveshot triumph in the Cannes Open yesterday.

Cage shot a superb final round of 66 to finish on 270, 14 under par, to beat Paul Broadhurst and David Carter by five strokes and Paul Eales and Jamie Spence by six. Cage, who had missed five halfway cuts in eight Tour outings after being laid low by a stomach bug in South Africa, strung together four birdies in his next eight holes to complete a fourth successive sub-70 return. He said: "It's the first time I've managed four scores in the sixties in a tournament. It's been a bad year so far, but now I know I can win, and I'm going to enjoy Cage had only one bad moment when his drive at the ninth hit some rocks in the middle of the fairway and bounced into an unplayable lie. He had to take a penalty shot and did not hit the green with his third shot.

But he escaped with a bogey five magnificent chip. Perhaps just as remarkable as Cage's victory was the performance of Carter, who only seven weeks ago, had fluid drained from his brain after being found unconscious in his hotel room in Dubai. Carter his comeback this week and finished with a round of 62, consisting of nine birdies and nine pars, to take joint second place. 'm ecstatic," Carter said. "I hoping to make the halfway cut.

It's a miracle, I'm happy to be alive, let alone playing golf in tournament. James in Cannes Carter broke the course record with a 62 in this event last year but Jamie Spence, the Kent golfer, hit a 61 yesterday. But Spence's effort does not count because preferred lies were in use following heavy rain. Cage commented: 44T always knew someone would shoot scores like those on this course, particularly when we were allowed preferred lies after the overnight rain, but I got off to a nice start. "At the shot to seventh drop I a blocked stroke, my tee and my drive at the ninth hit rocks in the middle of the fairway, and shot into a hazard and cost me a penalty stroke.

But my chipping and putting has been good." Spence had 10 birdies and eight pars to come from low down the field to joint fourth while Broadhurst, who had four birdies and a bogey in his 68, will have enhanced Ryder Cup prospects. CANNES OPEN (Royal Mougins (GB Ireland unless stated): 270 -S Cage 68, 67, 69, 66. 275 Carter 68, 74, 71, 62; Broadhurst 68, 70, 69, 68. 276 Spence 74, 72, 69, 61; Eales 72, 65, 70, 69. 278- McGinley 72, 68, 70, 68; Whitelaw (S Africa) 71, 71, 68, 68.

279-C Suneson (Spain) 73, 69, 69, 68; Briggs 71, 69, 70, 69; A Coltart 71, 70, 69, 69; A Sandywell 76, 67, 67, 69. 280- A Sherborne 69, 74, 72, 65; Tinning (Denmark) 72, 68, 73, 67; Walton 70, 73, 66, 71; Luna (Spain) 70, 66, 73, 71. 281 Valera (Spain) 72, 69, 74, 66; Jonzon (Sweden) 72, 71, 69, 69; Curry 72, 72, 68, 69; Lane 75, 69, 67, 70; Rafferty 74, 70, 67, 70. 282-P Linhart (Spain) 71, 73, 73, 65; A Mednick (Sweden) 75, 70, 72, 65; Howell 72, 72, 71, 67; Clark 70, 75, 69, 68; Fulke (Sweden) 74, 70, 69, 69; Hospital (Spain) 74, 70, 67, 71; Muntz (Holland) 68, 63, 69, 72; Gronberg (Sweden) 71, 71, 66, 74. 283 Smyth 72, 69, 75, 67; Bjorn (Denmark) 71, 68, 73, 71.

284 -F Roca (Spain) 72, 75, 70, 67; Fasth (Sweden) 73, 68, 72, 71; Mitchell 73, 70, 71; 70; A Canete (Argentina) 71. 75, 69, 69; Gilford 79, 67, 67, 71; Westermark (Sweden) 71, 73, 68, 72; Tomori (Japan) 76, 69, 67, 72. 285 -J Haeggman (Sweden) 83, 63, 72, 67; Mellor 72, 72, 73, 68; McFarlane 70, 72, 74, 69; Bottomley 70, 70, 75, 70; Cooper 73, 70, 72, 70; Mouland 73, 72, 70, 70; Struver (Germany) 74, 71, 69, 71; Tarnaud (France) 73, 73, 69, 70. 286. -I Garrido (Spain) 75, 72, 72, 67; Field 74, 73, 69, 70; May (US) 73, 71, 70.

Michael Williams THE funeral of Michael Williams, the golf correspondent of The Daily Telegraph who died suddenly last Thursday, will be at All Saints Church, Stock, near Chelmsford, Essex, on Thursday at 2.30pm. Only family flowers are requested. Donations, if RUGBY LEAGUE Briers suffers harsh debut By John Whalley St Helens 60pts Warrington 16 IT is a pity Lee Briers did not insist on a condition of Friday's transfer from St Helens to Warrington that he should avoid facing his former club on his debut. It would have spared the scrum-half a humiliating experience. Not that Briers was in any way a weak link yesterday.

Indeed he had the satisfaction of laying on a try for Toa Kohe-Love with a long pass in the 39th minute. It was more a case of his side being abysmal and even if Paul Newlove, surely the best attacking centre in the world, had switched sides, it would not have made any difference. Warrington habitually missed tackles, knocked on and conceded penalties, Newlove was maseverything he did. Not even a sin bin dismissal in the 32nd minute for a professional foul could mar majestic display. He finished with only one try but could easily have collected a hat-trick had it not been for his unselfishness in setting up scores for Anthony Sullivan and Steve Prescott his 50th for the club when he could easily have crossed himself.

Briers, 18, who looked such an impressive talent when playing six games during Bobby Goulding's suspension at the start of the season, knew the challenge Warrington faced. The club conceded 200 points in three visits to Knowsley Road last a a a SWIMMING Bronze for brave Smith after confusion over entry times ruins his chances of finishing first Gold for Hickman breaks British drought holder, like the fest of the James Hickman wins the 200m butterfly, and Russian team, was making a (below) what the Telegraph said on Saturday token appearance to fulfil requirements contractual and Breakthrough beckons for Hickman failed to reach the few AMES minutes HICKMAN late for is our running interview It is uncomfortably hot on final. cries thick of the with delight viewing chiarine from and balcony. the rings tube The with rides. air the A in SPORT WATCH counter does a rouring trade in chips Hickman's Stock- and drinks.

A walk changes. along A the partition pool and in the the water atmosphere separates the fan seekers MATTHEW PINSENT port team-mate, from grandstand the 1 parents serious provides swimmers A seating watch hanked for patient who chat, aud Graeme Smith, won occasionally swimmers. has watched Hickman ewin in the fin- drills, exerrises and intera bronze medal nine hours after completing his race. lapped virtually every burg training with Dirk The Olympic bronze medal- other swimmer to win his Lange, coach to Sandra list finished third in the race by 23 sec. He won in a Volker, winner of the 50m 1500m freestyle after being time of 14min 46.85sec, six freestyle world title.

forced to compete in a seconds outside the British The Commonwealth morning heat after an error record despite being on his champion admitted by British swimming chiefs. own from the outset. "a bit disappointed" with But Smith's early time Smith had to wait until his 22.03 and silver medal, proved good enough for a last night before seeing adding: "It is to take medal as Leeds' Ian Wilson Australia's Grant Hackett some time to adjust to my finished third in the last take the gold in a time of new regime." heat nearly 10 seconds with Germany's Rolph looked far from slower than his fellow Jorg Hoffman second in happy in the morning heats Briton. But Smith took his when she reached the top Smith was forced to com- place on the podium for eight in sixth spot. After a pete against slower swim- the medal ceremony after personal best in the 100m mers in a morning heat Wilson could only clock freestyle and an inspired because he was not for fourth place performance in the informed that seedings overall.

4 100m freestyle relay, would be based on short- Gold could also have been another personal best was course times. Had Smith hung around the necks of anticipated in the 200m not swum at last Decem- Mark Foster and Susan individual medley. ber's winter championships Rolph as they produced the Sweden's Louise Karlsin Sheffield then he would kind of form that won them son, lifted by the crowd, have been seeded on his their respective European headed the race from Olympic performance, short-course titles last start. Rolph moved steadily which would have put him December. through the field but could in the race that climaxed Foster, the former world not close down on Karlsson the -day event.

short-course record holder, or Slovakia's Martina MorSmith, spurred on by his went into the 50m freestyle avcova. Rolph was annoyed British team-mates shout- final as the fastest quali- with both her bronze medal ing from the sidelines, pro- fier. The 26-year-old has and time of duced a gutsy display as he spent all of 1997 in Ham- Details: Sport 9 By Anita Lonsbrough in Gothenburg A SOLO gold for the British team by James Hickman could so easily have been doubled at the World ShortCourse Championships, but for confusion with the entry times. Halfway through the championships Britain were without gold and a heavy burden lay on the shoulders of 21-year-old Hickman in the 200m butterfly. The seven other finalists in the race played into his hands by setting out too cautiously.

Perhaps they had expected him to take it on from the start, but winning was on his mind. And win he did min 55.55 sec. He admitted afterwards: "It was strange not Denis Pankratov The double Olympic champion and world record holder, like the fest of the Mi St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham gets the ball away under pressure from Paul Hulme Picture: MIKE BRETT RUGBY LEAGUE DETAILS DIVISION 1 HULL. 26 HUDDERSFIELD Hull Donohue, Holmes, Liddiard, McKenzie. Hewitt 5.

Huddersfield Hanger. HT: 14-4. Att: 8,859. KEIGHLEY 16 DEWSBURY 26 Keighley Foster, Gately, Wray. Irving 2.

Dewsbury A Delaney, Patterson, Williams, Woodcock. Eaton 5. HT: 10-8. Att: 2,816. SWINTON 28 HULL KR ..............20 Swinton 'S Casey 2, Barrow, Craig, Riley.

Pearce 4. Hull KR Goulbourne 3, Adams, Rouse. HT: 6-8. Att: 1,068. WIDNES.

4 26 Widnes Ashton. Wakefield Kenworthy 2, Davis, McLaren. Davis 5. HT: 4-18. Att: 1,818.

FEATHERSTONE 24 Workington Baildon, Currier, Fatnowna. Bethwaite 4. Featherstone Gleadhill, Gary Price, Summers. Fox 5. DG: Fox 2.

HT: 12-12. Att: 1,203. Hull Huddersfield Wakefield Whitehaven. Dewsbury. Hull KR Featherstone Swinton wished, can be made to the Golf Foundation, Foundation House, Hanbury or, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 0UH.

The service will be followed by cremation (family only) and then a reception at Chelmsford Golf Club. Letters: Sport 6 A 9 8 0 257 83 17 8 7 1 240 100 14 8 5 2 167 150 11 8 4 3 149 160 9 8 4 4 136 177 8 8 3 4 180 151 7 9 3 5 178 183 7 00 2 5 137 171 5 8 0001 6 134 175 8 2 6 110 204 8 2 0 6 104 238 4 RUGBY LEAGUE REVIEW Harris in lead role for Leeds By William Gray LEEDS came out on top in an exciting Yorkshire derby against Sheffield 30-18 with new signing Iestyn Harris playing a starring Harris set up two early tries and kicked five goals as Leeds ran out winners. Great Britain duo Andy Farrell and Gary Connolly were on form as Wigan put successive home defeats behind them to return to winning ways with a 44-10 victory over Oldham that revives their title hopes. Wigan ran in eight tries. with Connolly and winger Andy Johnson grabbing two apiece, while Farrell kicked five goals and also scored a try.

Castleford remain anchored to the foot of the table after a 28-12 home defeat by Halifax. Centre Martin Pearson the bulk of the damage, claiming a personal tally of 16 points from a try and six goals, as Halifax completed a League double. Castleford were rarely in the hunt in a ragged display and on this form Australian coach Stuart Raper, who takes over at the club on Thursday, will have his work cut out keeping them in the top flight. A crowd of almost 9,000 saw Hull take a major step towards the Super League with a 26-4 win over First. Division rivals Huddersfield.

Hull were a class apart and ran in four tries to one for an emphatic victory that ended Huddersfield's 100 per cent record. DIVISION 2 BATLEY 18 HUNSLET 14 Batley Simpson 2, Cass. Price 3. Hunslet Flowers, Pryce. Booth 2, Walker.

HT: 6-8. Att: 937. 10 ROCHDALE. 20 Carlisle Ruddy. Thurlow.

Richardson. Rochdale Farrell, Flanagan, Gartland, Hayes. Gartland HT: 6-8. Att: 240. DONCASTER 28 LEIGH 44 Doncaster Morgan 2, Elvidge, Kilpatrick, Senior.

Senior 4. Leigh Purtill 3, Ingram 2, Gunning, Veikoso. Purtill 8. HT: 18-22. Att: 813.

14 BRAMLEY. 34 Prescot Bridge, Grant, Thornburn. Thornburn. Bramley Freeman 3, Brown, Cook, Creasser. Creasser 5.

HT: 0-30. Att: 312. .72 BARROW. ..8 York Fitzgerald 2, Pallister 2, Ball, Brown, Cain, Chapman, Green, Hayes, Hopcutt, Johnson, Smith. Green 6, Fitzgerald 4.

Barrow Atkinson. Marwood 2. HT: 32-8. Att: 513. A Rochdale 8 201 144 14 Carlisle 8 6 0 2 200 98 12 8 6 0 2 228 166 12 Lancashire Lynx 8 6 0 2 212 166 12 8 5 3 278 143 10 Hunslet 0 3 235 120 00 York 00 3 0 5 215 200 6 2 3 119 155 Barrow 8 0 6 152 287 Doncaster 8 9 0 1 0 7 8 131 98 276 314 -N HE THINKS IT'S F.A.

CUP With the Middlesbrough Chesterfield replay to be played over yet. We will publish a complete fantasy FA Cup points LITTLEWOODS SNOOKER Williams' late push too much for Griffiths By John Dee TERRY Griffiths, veteran of 19 Embassy World Championships which began when he captured the title for the first and only time in 1979, lost the last two frames on the black as Mark Williams completed a 10-9 victory to reach the last 16 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, yesterday. Griffiths's farewell appearance on the professional circuit so nearly earned him a clash with Stephen Hendry, the holder, but Williams, winner of two ranking events this season, Grand Prix and British Open, snatched the glory from under the feet of his fellow Welshman. "I thought I had him but in the end he did very well. All the pressure was on Mark and he showed a lot of courage to wins the last, three frames, said Griffiths.

"This is a young man's game and retiring has released me to do my director of coaching job and help young players like Mark. I have watched his progress since he was a young kid and it's great to see him do so well. "He a no-win situation in match having wanin done so well at the British Open. Mark was expected to beat me easily, he had everything to lose and nothing to gain. It was the opposite for me and that's the way the match went.

"I didn't think he was quite to win ranking tournaments but he has now won three and proved me and others wrong. 'His temperament is his strength, he knows how to relax under pressure and think clear and is a potential world champion even this year." Williams, defeated Hendry 9-2 in the final of the British Open two weeks ago, said: "I expected a hard match and that's what I got. I was lucky to hold a 5-4 overnight lead and should have been beaten today. I will certainly have to play better if I'm to get any further." Stefan Mazrocis, a 750-1 outsider, completed a major upset when he defeated Peter Ebdon, the world No 3, 10-3. Mazrocis, the 30-yearold son of a Latvian immigrant, led 6-2 overnight and never looked like surrendering the initiative.

Ebdon, runner -up to Hendry last year and winner this season of two major titles, remarked: "I wasn't out there when Stefan went into a 6-2 overnight lead, and that's where the match was lost. This has been a bad day at the office." EMBASSY WORLD CH'SHIP (Sheffield) 1st rd: Hendry bt A Hicks 10-6 (73-48, 85-0. 90-43, 1-74, 124-8, 74-24, 47-68, 2-108, 74-27. 101-1, 43-80, 97-15, 98-0, 37-67, 9-97, 68-9): Williams bt Griffiths 10-9 (33-61, 65-75, 71-16, 73-10, 42-64, 0-77, 70-27, 77-2, 76-18 71-29, 50-63, 16-100, 74-38, 15-68, 1-72, 30- 62, 64-7, 68-56. 62-59).

Walker bt Harold 10-7 (21-61, 63-17, 73-8, 57-9, 103-30, 31-64, 0-100, 42-61, 88-13, 74-45, 56-55, 48-59, 79- 57, 66-6, 0-119, 46-71, 111-8). Mazrocis bt Ebdon 10-3 (29-70, 72-19, 54-42, 77-1, 60-30, 55-51, 72-32, 34-68, 55-48, 24-87, 78-66, 76- 40, 78-50). Doherty (Rep of Ireland) bt Davis 10-8 (81-48, 109-11, 94-0, 8-92, 34-73, 26-76, 85-20, 61-11, 45-73, 32-75, 117-6, 75- 53, 22-65, 36-73, 92-0, 81-26, 2-63, 66-37). YACHTING Threat to record By Tim Jeffery FOR the first time in Olivier next winter in ENZA, now de Kersauson's Jules Verne re-named Royal Sun Allirecord attempt, the French- ance. Edwards announces man has managed her all-female crew on May ahead of the pace set by Sir 8.

Guiding. Blake, KnoxPeter Blake and Sir Robin Johnston, de Kersauson Knox -Johnston aboard Edwards is American meteoENZA two years ago in the rological wizard Bob Rice. fastest ever circumnaviga- "We've been treading a tion of 74 days 22hr 17min. narrow path for the past couENZA's rapid time was ple of Rice said of de boosted by her remarkable Kersauson's course. "There start, just one week from is light air to north and Ushant to the Equator.

After much ice to the 42 days and 15,440 miles, de In France, Britain Kersauson finally got ahead has a big squad competing at. of ENZA's pace, helped in the first big European Olympart by ENZA having a slow- pic classes regatta of the seaish week halfway through son. In the qualifying races, her voyage. Ben Ainslie has scored two Watching de Kersauson's firsts in the Laser fleet, with progress like a hawk is Tracy John Merricks and Ian Edwards, who will attempt Walker posting second and her own Jules Verne attempt 14th in the 470 class. MEN'S HOCKEY Hall leads the way for Surrey By Claire Middleton SURREY, the holders, made light work of their group in the revamped men's County Championship to qualify for next month's semi-finals.

With their nucleus of players from National League Surbiton, they scored 33 goals in four matches, Gareth Notton and Guildford's Danny Hall enjoying some spectacular successes. Notton struck four times in the 12-2 win over Cambridgeshire, Hall going one better with five in the 8-1 victory over Hampshire. Phil Capper scored five in Lancashire's 8-4 thrashing of Essex. He helped put the 1996 runners-up back on track after a slip-up on Saturday against Northants and they qualified for the last four, along with Cheshire and Sussex. Durham, who were without their Norton contingent because of National 'League next week, are relegated to the 1997 Division, a as are Shropshire, the RAF and Hampshire.

Promoted to the top flight are Norfolk, Leicestershire, Devon and Suffolk. The event was changed this season because of the decline in popularity of county hockey in competition with the National League and teams were allocated to A and divisions based on past record. The number of highscoring matches suggests things are not quite right yet, but the competition attracted 38 counties which suggests organisers are on the right track. WOMEN'S HOCKEY Burke hits five in Irish win By Cathy Harris FIVE more goals by prolific striker Jenny Burke helped Ireland continue their impressive form in front of goal when they thumped Slovakia 7-0 yesterday to win the Four Nations tournament in Cardiff. Ireland, drawn in England's section at the World Cup qualifier in Harare in August, travel to Vancouver later this month for a more testing competition involvUS, Canada, Japan and England.

They will, says coach Terry Gregg, have a better idea of where they stand after that. "I'm very hopeful right now," he said, "although I accept our oppositon in Cardiff was immature. All we have is potential the moment. We haven't proved anything but we've certainly taken an important step. Burke, who also scored in her side's 4-1 victory over Wales on Saturday, took her tally to nine in three matches with two penalty.

corner goals by Julie Stewart completing the scoreline against Slovakia. Two penalty corner goals by Margaret Callaghan steered the hosts to a convincing 5-0 win against Poland in their last game. Justine Williams, Emma James and Rachel 0'Bryan also scored, but Rachel Thomas spoiled her 21st birthday celebrations when she missed a -half penalty. the semi-finals round-up on Monday, JUDO Howey can lead home comeback By Nicolas Soames year and it was obvious in the first 10 minutes that St Helens would come close to maintaining that average. For Warrington, who have lost two coaches in the last months, there will have to be an overhaul and Darryl van de Velde, in charge for three weeks, made no attempt to disguise the faults.

St Helens: Prescott; Arnold, Hunte, Newlove, Sullivan; Martyn, Goulding; Leatham, Cunningham, O'Neill, Joynt, Morley, Hammond. Subs: Matautia, Northey, Anderson, Haigh. Warrington: Vagana; Forster, Kohe-Love, Roper, Henare; Shelford, Briers; Chambers, Hulme, Stevens, Mann, Tatapu, Sculthorpe. Subs: Finau, Knott, Darbyshire, Rudd. Referee: Smith (Castleford).

STONES SUPER LGE CASTLEFORD 12 HALIFAX. 28 Castleford Sampson, Vowles. Orr, Tonks. Halifax Gillespie, Moana, Munro, Pearson. Pearson 6.

HT: 6-12. Att: 4,304. SHEFFIELD 18 LEEDS. 30 Sheffield Garcia, Morganson, Pinkney. Aston 3.

Leeds Blackmore 2, Collins, Farrell, Sterling. Harris 5. HT: 10-14. Att: 5,000. ST HELENS ........60 WARRINGTON 16 St Helens Martyn 2, Anderson, Haigh, Hammond, Hunte, Newlove, Northey, O'Neill, Prescott, Sullivan.

Goulding 8. Warrington Forster 2, Kohe-Love, Vagana. HT: 32-4. Att: 11,609. 44 10 Wigan Connolly 2, A Johnson 2, Farrell, Murdock, O'Connor, Smith.

Farrell 5, Hall. Oldham Munro, Stephenson. Maloney.HT: 16-6. Att: 7,885. A St Helens 6 0 1 217 93 12 Bradford 6 0 197 100 12 Leeds 5 0 2 161 132 10 Salford 5 0 2 135 151 10 London 2 208 133 9 Halifax 1 2 157 130 9 0 3 155 137 8 4 159 238 6 Sheffield 5 140 153 4 Paris 0 6 114 180 2 Oldham 000 6 135 219 2 Castleford.

8 8 99 211 0 BRITISH women's judo, once the best in the world, showed signs of a rebirth at the British Open in the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham at the weekend, with four gold medals, one silver and two bronzes covering the seven categories. It was a heartening result, particularly with the European Championships in Ostend just a month away, and especially for middleweight Kate Howey, who has dropped from light-heavyweight this year. She won on Saturday in thundering style, taking each of her six fights with ippon, judo's perfect score. In the final, she took Amin Abdellatif, of France, to the ground with a sacrifice throw, then armlocked her. "Coming down a' weight category has been a new challenge to, me.

It is what I needed," said Howey, who has won three of her four internationals this year. Cheryl Peel, the new top light-middleweight from Essex, was also in commanding style, ander 21, can look forward first senior Europeans with confidence. Yesterday's middleweight men's final brought an intriguing domestic clash between the established figure of Ryan Birch, 28, and new boy Winston Gordon, 20, from London's The Budokwai. Gordon prevailed on a split decision but Birch has been pre-selected for the European Championships. Details: Sport 9 OVER are not quite April 28..