The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 24

SPORTS GUARDIAN Thursday "May -30 1985 24 EUROPEAN CUP FINAL David Lacey Liverpool 0 Juventus 1 Frank Keating assesses another soccer tragedy Total despair and no relief this time Liverpool fade into background IL 9 rJ Jt cricketing afternoon In the country, a drive back to base and a televised match between the two finest soccer teams in Europe. Jones and Hughes breathlessly pulled the black blinds down. "It's no use," said Hughes, "fannying on about cancelling special trains or building higher fences that sort of stuff is meat and drink to these hooligans'," For hooligans, now- read murderers. Mrs Thatcher must now show the mettle of her will indeed, of her whola reputation. She will obvfc ously wish this morning she had never thrown down the gauntlet with, which it seemed at the time, such little thought after the Luton-Millwall affair.

Brussels, 1985," could yet mean more to her than the Falklands, 1982. If that War when many young men died helped make her electoral majority, then Liverpool's war in Brussels could well dilute it on the grand that have rampaged through European cities for a couple of decades now. Even last week I was glad I was a second-man reporting the extra-mural activities of the supporters when England played in little Finland. Football is dead the hooligans have won," said Emlyn Hughes on the radio last night. The former Liverpool captain was in abject despair at the microphone as he and the commentator, Peter Jones, combined to produce a.

dramatic and harrowing war correspondent's despatch, live from the Television might have had the pictures but they also had bland, weary public-relations spokesmen and the two radiomen were quite brilliant in describing the wretched scenes from the bunker hut. Stunned, I found myself pulling my car onto the hard shoulder. It was going to be an extremely good day off a sublime, silvery-blue. ONE MORE corpse was car-x ried from the Heysel Stadium in Brussels last night. Soccer itself draped in the Union Jack.

It deserved to be spat upon. The game in Britain will certainly have a long, long time to mourn. Liverpool will certainly be made an example of, for sure. It is ironically tfragic that, up to last night, they were- proud at Anfield of their reputation. The half dozen other clubs certainly the English ones who have qualified for European competitions next season will surely be missing from the respective hats when the draws are made later this summer.

The England team itself could well be struck from the World Cup to be played next year in- Mexico and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, come to that. Followers of the England team have, if anything, hitherto been worse than those packs who follow the clubs POLE AXED Boniek is felled by Wark. He later went down similarly to win the decisive penalty, Charles Burgess on Joe Fagan's retirement as Liverpool manager Dalgiish set to rise David Irvine reports from Paris Wilander lights firework display from his hotel room to make it official, before he had even told his players. He said: "I am not retiring. I am relinquishing my position.

I'm not 65 yet. Whatever the club want me to do I will do it. I may still be committed with Liverpool next year. It could be scouting, but whatever I do I will not interfere with whoever gets the manager's job. Fagan took over from Bob Paisley two years ago when Paisley moved upstairs to become the club's paid director.

(Incidentally, Paisley is said to be missing the day-today involvement.) Genial Joe, as he is known, joined the club as their reserve-team trainer in 1958, after captaining Manchester City and then travelling via non-League Nelson, Bradford Park Avenue and Altrincham to serve his managerial apprenticeship as a coach under Harry Catterick at Rochdale. In his first season Liverpool won the League championship, the Milk Cup and the European Cup, but this season, with the departure of Souness to Italy, the club have, by their own high standards, been a A SECRET that Liverpool had hoped to keep until today leaked out as they prepared for last night's European Cup final, and yesterday morning Joe Fagan, their 64-year-old manager, declared officially that he was standing down after only two years in the job, saying that he was too old and too tired." "The decision was made in February," Fagan said, and was going to have been announced later this week. But someone jumped the An announcement revealing who will now take charge of England's most successful team of all time is expected soon. The indications are that the job will be split between two men, and that one of them will be the present Liverpool and Scotland player, Kenny Dalgiish. Liverpool have a tradition of inside succession (since Bill Shankluy took over in 1959, the two succeeding managers, Bob Paisley and Fagan, have both been promoted from the staff of the famous Anfield boot-room).

But nobody has ever achieved a direct transition from player to manager. Therefore it is likely that only sound hollow, but have to be told. After Liverpool had dominated the opening half-hour and forced several urgent saves from Tacconi, they lost the game to a penalty by Michel Platini 10 minutes into the second' half, awarded after Boniek had been brought down by Gillespie (one of the Liverpool substitutes) nearly a yard outside the area. In the normal course of events this would have been the main talking point. As it was, one was glad that something had happened to ensure that the game did not last any longer than was necessary.

Inevitably the question of whether or not the match should have gone ahead remained the most urgent point at issue. In an ideal world it would have been cancelled immediately after the deaths on the terraces occurred- However, the decision to go ahead was probably the right one, even if it was made for the wrong reasons the game had to be played to avoid the risk of further rioting, and in order to disperse the crowd of more than 50,000 as peacefully as possible. What a vay for Joe Fagan to end his short time as Liverpool manager. Poor Fagan in all his years at Anfield he could hardly have envisaged having to begin a European Cup final by walking out on to the arena wearing a No. 13 Liverpol shirt to calm the fans.

To their credit, both teams did their best to restore what dignity they could to a hopelessly-ruined occasion. In any other context, one could have described it as one of the better European finals of recent years. Lawrenson lasted only two minutes before aggravating the shoulder injury which had always threatened to put him out of the match, and Gillespie rejoined Hansen at centre-back. For a time this did not concern Liverpool overmuch as they moved forward in their patient, possessive way, and prevented Platini running the match between the. penalty areas.

Towards half-time, however, Briaschi switched fro mthe right wing to the left in an effort to expose Neal and started to become a threat and gradually Platini's influence grew. Wark was cautioned for fouling Boniek when the Pole attempted to burst through the middle, and in the 55h minue, when Plaini at last managed toset Boniek at Liverpool's square defence, the moment proved decisive. Gillespie reached Boniek as he approached the penalty area and brought him down well outside it but the Swiss referee, Andre Daina, was always going to give the penalty, and Platini sent the Juventus supporters into unrealistic ecstasies when he beat Grobbelaar. 9 Brentford, who have taken over 50,000 in advance ticket sales for Saturday's Freight Rover Trophy final against Wigan at Wembley, yesterday announced two new sponsorships. Forward Air Cargo are providing 20,000 and a new deal involving Renault will bring the Third Division club a further 10,000.

SOCCER LIVERPOOL lost the European Cup to Juventus last night, but the game of football has lost far, far more. In short, it died along with the 47 people trampled to death when a group mainly. Italian supporters stampeded to get away from rioting Liverpool fans and were crushed when first barriers, and then a wall, collapsed, After the fehes of death, injury and destruction in the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, the result seems irrelevant, the details meaningless. How C-an a match be anything else when even as the players are winning their tackles, making their passes and producing their shots, the death toll continues to mount? After the wretched affair had ended with the Juventus team doing a hurried half-lap of honour with the trophy, news came through that all 11 members of the Anderlecht youth team who had taken part in the warm-up game had perished. Last ni.sht the horrors of crowd violence which have spread their tentacles from Britain to Europe for more The teams Liverpool.

Grobielaar; Neal, Lawrenson (Giltepie. 2min). Hansen, Begtin. Nicot, Dalgiish, Wark, Whetan, Walsh Johnstone), Rush. Jimntus.

Tacconl; Favero, Caprinl. Boninl Brio. Scirea, Briaschi (Prantelli), Tardelli. Rossi (Vignola). Platini, Bonier.

Referta. R. Daina (Switz). than a decade overtook football on one of its most important occasions, and the consequences for the game in general and English soccer in particular can only be severe. Already we have had a season in which the Football Association have ordered an FA Cup tie to be played behind closed doors, and mounting violence at Chelsea in a Milk Cup semi-final and at Luton in a FA Cup quarterfinal.

The Bradford fire in which 53 died was in a cato'gory apart, but still added to- the trail of mounting misery. We have seen football hooliganism in China of all places, and only this week 10 people died in Mexico City as a crowd tried to force its way into the national Cup Final. It has all ended in a cry of anguish in Brussels. Liverpool, with one of the proudest records in Continental competition, both on and off the field, now bear the scar of. the worst rioting and the most tragic consequences ever seen in a European tournament.

There is bound to be talk of banning all English clubs from future competitions until our game puts itself in. order. Yet only 24 hours earlier, members of the Football Association voted out a proposal to harden up the rules on club responsibility which would have fallen into line with Government thinking. After the Bradford fire, the cry went up: Who pays? In Brussels last night there was only one answer, and they were lined up in a makeshift mortuary outside the' Heysel Stadium. The facts of the match can the other man will be someone already working at the club, such as Roy Evans, Ronnie Moran or Chris Lawler.

or someone who has been at the club in the past, like Gordon Milne, currently manager at Leicester. Dalgiish recently signed a new four-year contract with Liverpool, a move which puzzled- many at the time, because even the brilliant Scot could not have been expected to maintain his magic on the pitch that long. Now the contract would seem to make much more sense. Liverpool have had a high regard for Dalglish's tactical ability since he joined the club in 1977, as Keegaii departed. Phil Neal, Liverpool's captain and full-back, is another member of the team who is nearing the end of his playing career at Anfield.

Neal, who has written a thoughtful coaching book, has already been earmarked as managerial potential, but it would seem an extraordinary risk for a club of Liverpool's stature to push two new men in at the deepest of deep ends. The news of Fagan's departure seeped out late on Tuesday night, and yesterday morning Fagan descended Tilford had launched the decisive attack near Hitchin after 87 miles, Curran immediately joining him and claiming later that the American contributed nothing to their joint venture. Regec gave chase at Stevenage with Swiss rider Laurent Vecrausaz and dropped his companion in bridging the gap, which he achieved with eight miles remaining. Behind them, Stephen Spratt of Ireland chased from the bunch, 'followed by the Polish rider Zenon Jaskula, who eventually led in this second trio at 35 seconds. Toomas Kirsipuu had gone by himself at 70 miles and had a maximum 42 seconds lead, but van Lancker forced a split in the bunch as he chased to defend his yellow jersey and there was a regrouping before Tilford and Curran made their move.

Bernard Hinault of France won the 12th stage of the Giro d'ltalia yesterday and took over the leader's pink jersey. Graham Snowden following the Milk Race Attacking Tilford goes to the front GOLF David Davies Sandy seeks no solace In his last three tournaments, Sandy Lyle has twice finished third and on Monday he lost a play-off to Paul Way for the Whyte Mackay PGA Championship. Most people involved in a sequence of that kind would either be a touch irritated at not winning, or seeking solace in the 31,000 the run represents. Not, however, Sandy Lyle. He is not irritated because he does not know how to get that way and he is not bothered about the money because he has quite enough anyway.

Hence, if you ask hfm if he-is going to win the Four Star Celebrity Pro-Am which starts at Moor Park in Hertfordshire today, in order to assert himself, or to prove to himself that the touch has not gone, he staws at you blankly. Asserting or proving himself are also things that Lyle does nbt know how to do he simply does not think that way. Winning. a few and losing a few is a genuine belief for Lyle and not simply a clicha way of life. He has a ready explanation for not winning the PGA.

I was slightly surprised to be in the play-off at all;" he said, "considering the way I was playing. My swing gets a bit flat occasionally and I don't know where the ball is going. "I'll be trying hard this week." said Lyle, trying hard to be seen to be trying hard, but it won't be the end bf the world if it is someone else's turn." In many ways it is an admirable attitude. In many more it is infuriating. The bookies do not doubt his ability.

He is at 3-1 tt win Sam Torrance is 5-1 ahH Way 14-1. The four stars of the tournament title are Jimmy Tarbucfc, Terry. Wogan, Henry and Bruce Forsyth who, at 100-per-plate gala dinner oji Tuesday night handed over a 10,000 cheque to the St Johji Ambulance. 4 RESULTS Soccer i EUROPEAN CUP Final Juventus (0) 1 Liverpool (0) ,0 Platini (pen) (Brussels): INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT (Melbourne). Australia 1.

Tottenham 0. Rugby League TOUR MATCH (Huntly. NZ). Walkato 34, St Helens 24. i Rugby Union TOUR MATCHES.

Nagoyi. Japah: Kamsai 13, Irish XV 44. Darwin. Nonnern Territory li, tanaaians ju. cycling THb MILK RACE.

Third Stage: CovenUy to Welwyn Garden City (105 miles): 1. II. Regec (Cze) 4hr lmin 42see; 2, S. TilfoM (USA) and 3, P. Curran (Eng) same tim; 4.

Z. Jaskula (Pol) 4-02-17, 5. L. Vecrausaz (Swi) and 6, S. Spratt (Ire) same timi.

Team Result: 1, USA 12-06-22; 2, CJe 12-06-32; 3. Eng 12-06-52; 4, Sl 12-07-37; 5, Pol ana 6, Ire same time- Overall positions after stage three: 1, 3. Tilford (USA) 12-32-29; 2. E. Van Lancr (Fanqio Belgium) 12-32-50; 3.

T. Kirslpiu (USSR) 12-32-55: 4. P. Curran (En J) 12-32-56; 5. M.

Knulsson (Swe) 12r33-lt; 6, P. Sanders (GB) 12-33-19. Other English and Irish placlngs: II, Elliott 12-34-00; 13. Tlmmls 12-34-OJ; 19, Walker 12-34-05; 27. Longbottotn 12-34-07: 30.

Watson 12-34-08; -32, Batt-man 12-34-09; 33. Wainwrlqht 12-34-05; 38. Clav I Teams: 1. Cze 37-34-48; 2, USA 37-34-58: 3, Swe 37-35-50: 4. Far.gjo Belgium 37-35-50 5, Eng SB 37-36-20.

Others: 12. Raleigh WelnmarTn GB 37-41-15; 13. Ire 37-51-19. DAUPHINE LIBERE RACE Stage 3 (Amberieu-Firminy, 170k). 1, C.

Jaramlrjo (Col). 3hr 38mfn 44sec; 2, K. Andersln (Den), same time; 3. B-. Van Brabant (Bell, at 55s.

Overall Standings: 1. Anderset, 7-51-38; 2, J. Pelier (Fr), at 4s; 3, S. Hooks (Neth). at 8s.

GIRO ITALIA. Slaoe 12 (Time Tnii Capua to Fr) 46mln Msec: 3, itandinns: R. Vlsentini 2-01; 4. Lemond at 2-39. Road Running i TOWER HILL (2i mis).

P. Flllfr (Orion). 13mln Msec. Veteran winner: i. Aiiken migngaiej.

it-i. Boxing EUROPEAN AMATEUR CH'SHIP (Bud; nptt) Quarter finale Fathrwiaht: Grail roos (i-ini neat u. suucniie tirei, pm. Llght-heavyweloht: J. Beckles (Enq) bekt T.

Tunali (Turkey) k.o. 2nd. AvhloHrs OPEN MEETING (Hendon). 1.500m 5, Ovett (Brighton) 3m 33.95; 2, Ho kins (Reigate priory) 3 31, CU; I Christ (unatl) Squash Rackets MENNAN CUP (Toronto). M.

Sanchiz (Men) beat H. Jahan (Britain) 15-10, 15-9. 15-7. Speedway i NATIONAL LEAGUE. Long Eaton 46 (C.

Pldock 15, D. Tyler 13), Petirbonuth 32 (D. Allen 9, K. Hawkins 9); Wlmbli-dlon 47 (R. Johns 11.

J. Luckhurst 101, Milton Keynes 31 (K. White 11, K. Smart 7). i LEAGUE CUP Coventry 42 (T.

KnutV sen 12), Swindon 36 (P. Crump 11 4 Peterson 10). Motor Rallying ACROPOLIS RALLY Latest posltlon.4- 1. T. Salonen (Peugeot, Fin) 7h 14m 24; 2.

S. Blomqvist (Audi. Swe) 7-21-25; 3, I. Carlsson (Maida. Swe) 7-49-05.

Ice Hockey STANLEY CUP FINAL. Edmonton 5, Philadelphia 3 (Edmonton lead best-of-seven series 3-1). crown. Last year, in the quarters. Wilander regained the.

upper hand. On this week's form another confrontation seems likely when the field is reduced to eight. Noah advanced just as easily, overwhelming" the Dutchman Michael Schapers 6-1, 6-1, 6-4, and all the other fancied players advanced without difficulty. The women's draw offered a sharp contrast. Three seeds Helena Sukova (5) Zena Garrison (6) and Pam Casale (16) were all unlikely victims Sukova was on the receiving end of a well-nigh perfect final set from the Swiss girl, Christiane Jollisatnt, and lost 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

In a marathon, Garrison had a match point at 6- 5 in the third but lost her nerve, and the decision, by 7-6. 2-6, 13-11 to the South African, Ros Fairbank. Casale's destroyer was an unknown French girl from St Tropez, Nathalie Tauziat. who won 6-7, 7- 6, 6-2. FRENCH OPEN MEN'S SINGLES.

First round. C. Motta ((Br) beat K. Novacek ((Cz) 7-5. 6-4.

5-7, 1-6. 7-5. Second round. J. Arrest (Sp) beat M.

Ostoja (Yugo) 7-5. 6-4, 6-2; M. Hoceiar (Br) beat T. Warneke (US) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4; 0. Cahlll (Aus) beat K.

Cassidy (US 6-0, 6-1, 6-2; H. Sundstrom (Swe) beat M. Flur (US) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2; B. Tarnezy (Hun) beat M. Valdla (Cz) 4-6.

6- 3, 6-7, 6-4. 6-4; T. Srald (Cz) beat R. Arguello (Arg) 6-4. 3-6, 6-1.

6-4; E. Sanchez (Sp) beat H. van Boeckel (Neth) 6-1, 6-2, 6-4: H. Glldlemelster (Chile) beat S. Zlvojinovic (Yugo) 5-7, 7- 6, 6-3, 7-5; Y.

Ninh (Fr), beat M. Schapers (Neth), 6-1. 6-1. M. Wilander (Swe) beat B.

Becker (W Gor) 6-3, 6-2. 6-1; H. Leconte (Fr) beat P. Portes (Fr) 6-2, 6-1. 6-3; A.

Gomez (Ec) beat K. Carsson (Swe) 6-2. 6-4, 6-1; J. L. Clerc (Arq) beat A.

Ganzabat (Arg) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3; M. McEnroe (US) beat F.Sergarceanu (Rem) 6 2, 64, 6 S. Youl (Aus) beat E. Bengoechea (Arg) 26, 75, 76, 16, 75. WOMEN'S SINGLES.

Second Round: Bassett (Can) beat J. Mundel (SA), 6- 3. 6-3; A. Kanellopoulou (Gr) beat L. Gildemeister (Peru), 6-3, 6-4; G.

Saba-tlnl (Arq) beat P. Barg (US). 6-0, 6-2; C. Tanvler (Fr) beat K. Sands (US).

6-4. 6-4; M. Calleja (Fr) beat A. Hollkoya (Cz). 6-2, 'i-6 6-3; Mandlikova (Cz) beat E.

Burqin (US), 2-6; 6-4. 7-5; A. Cecehlni (It) beat C. Karlsson (Swe). 6-0.

6-1; T. Phelns (US) beat E. Derly (Fr), 6-3, 6-2; R. Fairbank (SA) beat Z. Garrison (US).

7- 6 2-6. 13-11; M. Maleea (Bui) beat P. Delhees-Jauch (Swilz), 6-1, 6-2; A. White (US) beat C.

Sulre (Fr). 6-0. 7-6; C. Calmette 'Fr) boat A. Minfer (Aus), 6- 1.

6-4; "Mrs J. M. Lloyd (US) beat L. Bonder (US). 7-5.

6-3: S. Graf (W Ger beat G. Kim (US). 6-0, 6-4; B. Bunne (W Ger) beat L.

McNeil (US), 6-1; N. Tauziat (Fr) beat 'P. Casale (US), 6-7, 7- 6. 6-2; K. Horvath (US) beat P.

Kenpeler (W Ger). 7-6. 6-1; G. Dlnu (W Ger) beat V. Nelson (US), 4-6.

7-6. 6-2; C. Jnlls-salnt (Switz) beat Sukova (Cz). 2-6, 5- 3, 6-0: S. Hanika (W G'r) beat C.

Benjamin (US). 6-0. 6-1: T. Scheuer-Larson (Den) beat B. Herr (US).

6-3. 6-1: I. Cueto (W Ger) beat N. Hweman (Fr), 6-4 6 B. Gadusek (US) beat A.

Jaeger (US) 61, 61. denotes seeds) Other Matches Oxford v. Kent THE PARKS. Oxfordl University are 317 runs behind Kent and have first innings wickets in hand. Today: 11.0 to 6.30.

KENT First Innings S. G. Hinks Taylor Thorne 10 N. R. Taylor not out 120 D.

G. Aslett Thorne Rutnagur ...174 G. H. Johnson Patel MacLarnon 12 E. A.

E. Baptiste not out 19 Extras 8, lb 6) 14 Total (tor 3 dec) 349 Fall of wickets: 24. 287. 324. Did not bat: R.

M. Ellison. L. Potter, S. N.

V. Waterton. G. R. Dllley, K.

B. S. Jarvls, M. R. Benson.

Bowling: Thorne 13-3-44-1; Toogood 19-4-71-0; Lawrence 23-4-89-0; Rutnagur 24-3-82-1: Brettell 6-2-31-0: 'MacLarnon 4.3-2-18-1. OXFORD UNIVERSITY First Innings A. J. T. Miller Potter Dllley 0 D.

R. Hagan run out 0 G. J. Toogood not out 20 C. D.

M. Tooley not out 5 Extras (lb 7) Total (for 2) 32 Fall of wickets: 2. 15. To bat: D. A.

Thorne, T. Patel, R. S. Rutnugur. P.

C. MacLarnon, D. P. Taylor. M.

P. Lawrence, J. G. Brettell. Umpires: J.

H. Harris ajid H. J. Rhodes. Second XI Championship BOURNEMOUTH.

Hampshire (first innings i 215 for 9 dec (N. G. Cowley 57. D. R.

Turner 52. T. J. Middleton 50). Surrey Urst innings) 6 for 0.

CANTERBURY. Lancashire (first Inn-nos) 138 (Masters 4 for 55). Kent (first innlnos) 162 (or 8 (S. Goldsmith 83). LEICESTER.

Nottinghamsh re (Jrst innlrTis) 268 for 8. (B. Caurtlce 78, D. Fraser-Oarllng 50). Leicestershire.

LENSBURY. Sussex (first Innings) 143. Middlesex (first Innings) 80 for 4. TAUNTON: Somerset 184 (E. Munton 4-H5): Warwickshire 164-2 (G.

A. Lord 53, K. D. Smith 55 not WESTCLIFF. Essex (first Innings) 170 (Lindsay 5 for 30) and 55 for 1.

Northamptonshire (first innlnos) 100 (T. Ritchie 51: Turner 5 for 75, Pont 4 for 33). WORCESTER. Glamorgan (first Innings) 119. Worcestershire (first Innings) 256 for 2 (G.

A. Hick 164 not out, D. A. Banks 68 lot out), UFI Minor Counties NETHEPFIELD. 7 dec (B.

W. Reldv 70. 0. Llovd 51) and 189 for 6 dee G. Clarke 54).

Bedfordshire, 140 for 9 dec and 130 (Woods 5 for 11). Cumberland won by 116 runs. HARTLEPOOL. Hertfordshire 166 for 7 dec and 207 (F. E.

Collyer 54). Durham 192 for 6 dec and 65 for 6. Match drawn. a Yorkshire's John Player Cup match with surrey on July 14 will now be Pll at Bradford and not at Anlaby Circle, Hull, a ground criticised by the umpires last season. tennis Exciting is not a word one would use to describe Mats Wilander; either the man or his tennis.

Methodical, efficient, even dull these are adjectives that spring to mind. But in Paris yesterday, where in 1982 he won the French title as an unseeded 17-year-old, the Swede emerged in an entirely new light with a rip-roaring 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 win in the second round over Germany's golden boy, Boris Becker. Wilander, whose appetite for thf tramp annenreri to have after winning the Austra lian title ana snaring in nis country's Davis Cup triumph last December, responded to the blond-haired youngster's vibrant challenge with a performance the Swedish press corps agreed was beyond anything they had seen from him before. Human nature being what it is, it would have been understandable had Wilander decided that what was good enough in 1982 could be considered good enough for life. However, Wilander's attitude for the past 12 months has been that the clay court game has changed, and that he must change with it.

"I'm not sure I'm going to win this year," he said after his 95-minute demolition job Becker acknowledged it as a tennis lesson but for me, and I hope the public, the way I play now is more interesting." Last week, in Dusseieorr, John McEnroe expressed doubts about Wilander's true ambitions. I'm trying as hard as I can to be number one," said the Swede yesterday, who is still only 20. "But if it means practising eight hours a day, I'm not prepared to do that. It's not worth it." Wilander had a 3-0 lead on Becker before the German knew what was happening. Then the fireworks started.

Both men busied themselves around the court, never afraid to go in and volley, but though Becker hit with tremendous power he was repeatedly confused by Wilander's pace and accuracy. In 1983 Yannick Noah beat Wilander to succeed to his Northants v. Warwick NORTHAMPTON. Warwickshire (4 pts) are 263 runs behindl Northamptonshire (4) and have nine first innings wickets in Todlay: 11.0 to 6.30. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

First Innings G. Cook Ferrelra Hoffman 126 W. Larkins Ihw Small 45 R. G. Williams run out 0 R.

J. Bailey Smith Gilford 14 D. J. Capo! Humpage Ferrelra 1 A. C.

Storle Ibw Ferrelra 0 D. J. Wild Humpage Ferrelra 0 R. A. Harper Hoffman Wall 76 G.

Sharp Wall 9 N. A. Mallender Lloyd Ferrelra 13 A. Walker not out 7 Extras (b 1, lb 7, 2. nb 2) 12 Total 303 Fall of wickets: 68, 68, 85, 97, 97, 97.

204, 244, 291. Bowllnn: Small 18-4-68-1: Wall 14-0- 67-2; Glfford 33-16-68-1; Ferrelra 20.5- 2-81-4; Holfman 6-1-11-1. WARWICKSHIRE. First Innings T. A.

Lloyd not out 22 R. I. H. B. Dyer Harper 10 A.

I. Kalllcharran not out 7 Extras (lb 1) 1 Total (for 1) 40 Fall of wicket: 27. To bat: D. L. Amiss, G.

W. Humpage. P. A. Smith, A.

M. Ferreira, D. S. Hoffman, G. C.

Small, N. Gilford. S. Wall. Umpires: D.

J. Constant and J. W. Holder. Yorkshire v.

Somerset HEADINGLEY. Somerset (1 pi) are 358 runs behind Yorkshire (4) and have seven first innings wickets In hand. Todlay: 11.0 to 6.30. YORKSHIRE. First innings G.

Boycott Gard Palmer 20 M. D. Moxon Palmer Turner ...153 R. J. Blakey Marks 90 K.

Sharp Booth Garner 42 J. D. Love not out 62 Extras (b 4, lb 5. 3, nb 4) ..16 Total (for 4 dec) 383 Fall of wickets: 51. 274.

280, 383. Did not bat: D. L. Balrstow, Side-bottom, P. Carrick, P.

W. Jarvls, S. D. Fletcher, P. A.

Booth. Score after 100 overs: 336 for 3. Bowling: Garner 16.5-5-39-1; Turner 19-5-83-1: Richards 7-1-21-0: palmer 13-3-58-1; Marks 28-1-105-1; Booth 21-7-64-0; Popplewell 1-0-4-0. SOMERSET. First Innings N.

F. M. Popplewell Jarvls 10 P. A. Bill Sldebottom 4 T.

Gird Balrstcw Sldebottom 0 N. A. Felton not out 2 R. L. Dills not out 0 Extras (b S.

lb 1, nb 3) 9 TOTAL (for 3) 25 Fall of wickets: 11. 12. 22. To bat: V. J.

Marks, G. v. Palmer, M. S. Turner, J.

Garner, S. C. Booth, I. v. A.

Rlrharns. Umpires: J. Blrkenshaw and J. A. Jamison CRICKET SCOREBOARD Dilip Rao at The Oval Williams fills void SPORT IN BRIEF BOXING I'm over here to (toM Tint tn soil mv title." was the 'firm message yesterday from HiuseDio rearoza, me year-old Panamanian who defends his WBA featherweight title against Barry McGuigan at Loftus Road stadium on Saturday week, writes Jack Massarik.

Five years older than the brilliant Irishman and veteran of 19 title defences, he was asked if he might not be "over the hill." His reply, crisply delivered in Spanish, was Be there on the eighth." Meanwhile England's John Beckles the semifinals of the European amateur championships in Budapest yesterday by knocking out Taci Tunali of Turkey in the second round. ROWING: The Amateur Rowing Association yesterday approved a five-year plan for consideration by the Sports Council on June 12, writes Christopher Dodd. It aims to increase participation by 25 per cent or about 30,000 people, throughout the ARA's regions. Surrey v. Middlesex THE OVAL.

Middlesex (4 pts) 109 behind Surrey (3) and have all their first innings wickets In hand. Today: 11.0 to 6.30. SURREY. First innings A. I.

Butcher run out 1 fi. S. Clinton Emburey Williams 0 T. E. Jesty Brown Williams 0 A.

J- Stewart run out 77 M. A. Lynch Hughes Daniel 31 A. Needham run out 12 C. J.

Richards Brown Hughes 38 D. J. Thomas Sykes Daniel 12 G. Monkhouse not 8 P. I.

Pocock Daniel Emburey 41 A. H. Gray run out 1 Extras (b 3, lb 16, 4, nb 11) 34 Total 255 Fall of wickets: 4, 11, 11, 57. 110, 171, 199. 202.

251. Bowllnn: Daniel 13-4-33-2: Williams 16-3-82-2; Hughes 13-3-58-1; Emburey 11-2-44-1; Sykes 4-1-19-0. MIDDLESEX. First innings G. D.

Bwlow not out 71 W. N. Slick not out 57 Extras (b 4, lb 8, nb 8) 20 Total (for 0) "l48 To bat: K. P. Tomlins, R.

0. Butcher. C. T. Radley, J.

E. Emhurey, K. R. Brown, J. F.

Sykes. N. F. Williams. S.

P. Hughes, W. W. Danlrl. Umpires- M.

J. Kitchen and P. B. Wight. Hampshire Derby BASINGSTOKE.

Hampshire (4 pts) are 113 runs behind Derbyshihre (4) and have four first-Innings wickets in hand. Today: 11.0 to 6.30. DERBYSHIRE First innings K. J. Bamett Ibw Marshall 6 A.

Hill run out 20 J. G. Wright Parks Connor 20 B. Ftberts Ibw Tremlttt 0 W. P.

Fowler James 12 n. Miller Parks Connor 15 R. J. Finney Conmr Tremlett 16 B. J.

M. Maher Marshall Tremlett 8 D. G. Molr Ibw Marshall 40 P. G.

Newman not out 56 A. E. Warner Connor 24 Extras (lb 9, 1, nb 10) 20 Total 24B Fall of wlrkets: 6, 58, 59, 65, 76. 99, 11R. 1'8.

176, Bxwl'ng: Marshall 195-57-2; James 19-5-67-1; Connor 15.4-5-40-3: Tremlett 18-6-30-3: Mru 6-0-43-0. HAMPSHIRE First Innings C. G. Greenldne Miller Finney 17 V. P.

Terrv Ibw Warner 6 M. C. J. Nicholas Molr Finney 0 C. L.

MHIer R. A. Smith and Molr 12 M. D. Marshall not out 45 K.

D. James and Miller 0 J. Mam not out Extras (lb 2, nb 6) 8 Total (for 6) Fall of wickets: 27. 27. 31, 83, 83.

125. To bat: T. IM. Tremlett, J. Parks, C.

A. Connor, CRICKET 0CYCLING In an unexpected twist, Steve Tilford, a American yesterday took the-lead in the Milk Race. Al- thnnoVi Jrvrpf "RpPPO Eravp Czechoslovakia their second consecutive stage victory the 104-mile third leg from Coventry to Welwyn Garden City, Tilford was the rider with most to gain from a three-man breakaway in the closing stages. With two lengths seperating them, Regec took the flag at Welwyn from Tilford and Paul Ciirran, the England amateur rider from Stockton-on-Tees. They were 58 seconds clear of the main field, and with 20-second bonuses for both a hot spot sprint and his second place at the line, the American now has a 21-second advantage over the previous leader, Eric van Lancker, at the start of today's run from Chelmsford to Ipswich.

Paul Fitzpatrick at Trent Bridge Rice rides his luck His first day as Leicestershire's captain is not likely to prove one of Nigel Briers' opening topics of conversation in the years to come. Left in charge in the absence of Gower and Willey, he had an unenviable task yesterday trying to maintain the morale of a ragged platoon at Trent Bridge, where the marvellous batting of Rice and Johnson took Notts into an impregnable position. Rice decided to call a halt to the punishment at 6 pm, by which time he had taken his own total to 171 his second century in only five innings in his benefit season and his side's to 382-5. That left Leicestershire to negotiate an uncomfortable 20 minutes of Richard Hadlce, which they just about managed. Randall was missed by Cook off Parsons, when he was on 27, an escape which allowed the partnership to swell to 101 before Randall was leg before on the back foot to Clift.

But there was to be no respite. Johnson, playing with total freedom and certainty, was in even more fluent form than either Randall or Rice. The chances continued' to be bungled. When on 71, Rice was so convinced that he was to bo caught by Ferris off Cook that his bat was under his arm and he was marching to the pavilion as the ball was in the air. Unbelievably, the chance went down.

So did others to Garnham and Blackett (who needed repairs to a damaged finger) when he was at 120 Britannic County Championship Sussex v. Glamorgan HOVE Glamorgan (2 pts) are 274 runs behind Sussex (4) and- have five first innings wickets in hand. Today: 11.0 to 6.30. SUSSEX GLAMORGAN SUSSEX. First Innings G.

O. Mcndis Malone 17 A. N. Green Dailies BirwicH 45 P. W.

G. Parker Ibw Holmes ...60 A. Wells Hopkins Ontong 102 C. N. Wells Hopkins Ontong 11 Imran Khan not out 44 I.

B. Greiu not out Extras (b 1. lb 1. 1, nb 4) 7 Total (tor 5 dec) 303 Fall of wickets: 55. 66.

184. 214. 259 Did not bat: I. J. Gould, D.

A. Reeves, A. C. S. Pigott, C.

E. Waller. Bowllnn: Thomas 4-0-13-0: Barwlck 19-4-5-61-1: Malone 18-1-68-1: Steele 24-8-48-0: Holmes 22-8-54-1: Ontong 12-1-57-2. GLAMORGAN. First innings J.

A. Hopkins Imrin 13 G. C. Holmes Gould Imran 1 Vounis Ahmed Gould Reeve 6 T. Davies not out 2 Javed Miandad Gould Reeve 0 S.

P. Henderson Green Reeve 2 R. C. Ontong not out 4 Extras (nb 1) 1 TOTAL (for 5) 2D Fall of wickets: 2, 20. 20.

20. 22. To bat: J. F. Steele, J.

G. Thomas, S. J. S. R.

Bvwick. Umpires- C. Cook and N. T. Plews.

Notts v. Leicester TRENT BRIDGE Leicestershire (2 pts) ore 367 runs behind Nottinghamshire (4) and have all their Jrst-innings wickets in hand. Todav: ll.n to 6.30. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. First Innings B.

C. Broadl Cook Feris 10 M. Newell Cobb Cook 4 D. W. Randlall Ibw Clift 48 E.

B. Rice not out 171 P. Johnon Ibw Cook 118 J. D. Birch Cook 2 R.

J. Hadlee -not out 9 Extra (b4, Ib4, w3, nb9) 20 Total (for 5 dec) 382 Fall of wickets: 21, 24, 125, 333. 345. Did not bat: B. N.

French. E. E. Hemmlngs, K. E.

Coooer. P. M. Such. Score after 100 overs: 354 for 5.

Bowling: Ferris 15-4-64-1; Parsons 24-7-68-0: Clift 29-R-100-1; Cook 37-5-120-3: Briers 3-0-22-0. LEICESTERSHIRE. First Innings I. P. Butcher not out 9 J.

C. Bildlorstone not out 4 Extra (b2) 2 Total (for 0) 15 Tn bat: R. A. Co1. J.

J. Weaker. N. E. Briers.

P. B. Clift, G. J. Parsons.

N. A. Garnham, N. G. B.

Cook, J. F. Fer. N. Blackett Umpires: B.

i. Meyer and P. B. Wight. Barlow and Slack batted dourly.

It took them 41 overs to put up the 100 and at the end of the day they had expanded 52 overs. But their care was warranted on more than one count. It must be remembered that besides lacking two key bowlers who could have limited Surrey's recovery, Middlesex are also without Gatting and Downton. Moreover, the! matter comes down to the pitch in use. It will be a week old before the current argument is settled (it was used for the previous Essex match) and Middlesex are condemned to bat last.

Oxford University had another disastrous day in The Parks. Kent declared at 349 for three after winning the toss and, in the last 55 minutes, the University ltst their openers and wre 32. for two at the close. Kent lost an early wicket when Simon Hinks was caught at the wicket, at 24, but that was followed by a blistering second-wicket partnership of 263 off 59 overs by Derek Aslett and Neil Taylor. Aslett plundered 174 before beibg caught, he hit five sixes and 22 boundaries.

Taylor had 14 fours in his unbeaten 120. Sussex returned to form with a flourish against Glamorgan at Hove, scoring 303 for five declared and then taking five wickets for only 29. Dermot Reeve took three Glamorgan wickets in an over after the openers John Hopkins and Geoff Holmes had been sent back by Imrau Fortune ebbed and flowed at The Oval yesterday, in a manner befitting a tussle between counties standing only a point apart and heading the table. Considering that Middlesex's attack was the poorer for Cowans and Edmonds being absent, they did well to dismiss Surrey before tea for 255. At the close, Middlesex were 148 without loss.

The pillars of Surrey's triumph against Essex, Clinton and Jesty, were blasted away this time by Neil Williams without a run scored between theni. With Alan Butcher run out in between them, Surrey had to build afresh from a melancholy position of 11 for 3. At the core of the recovery was a distinguished 77 by Alec Jtfewart, young but mature and technically very accomplished. There were also innings of quality from Lynch and Richards, but their contributions were not large enough to end Surrey's misery. The Surrey total got its remaining substance from Pocock making 41, his highest score since June 1981.

The aggression of Middlesex's pace bowlers spurred the veteran on to counter-attack. Driving, cutting and pulling with gusto, he hit'seven fours. Pocock was eventually caught a hearty slog at his fellow off-spinner, Emburey. When Middlesex replied,.