The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 32

SPORTS GUARDIAN 32 Tuesday May 19 1987 David Lacey on how England can cope with Brazil at Wembley Robson ready to ask Barnes for Rio brio New managers for Aston Villa and Watford Robert Armstrong reports Bassett and Taylor move a potential target man although the combination of Beardsley and Lineker remains England's most productive source of goals. With Anderson, Sansom and Mabbutt unfit the defence is bound to have a makeshift look about it. However, any inexperience will be confined fo the left-back position which, as expected, will go to Nottingham Forest's Stuart Pearce. Pearce is England's 999th new cap The significance of his inclusion will largely be determined by the strength and pattern of tonight's opposition. One of the more vivid memories of Brazil's games in Mexico concerns the attacking flair of their right-back, Josimar who scored outstanding, almost outrageous goals against Northern Ireland and the Poles.

He will have as his ally down the right the winger Muller named after Gerd who flew into London last night and straight into the team. After two encouraging performances for England Tony Adams will surely renew his centre-back partnership with Terry Butcher, who missed the goalless game in Izmir because of a pelvic strain but is now ready to return. Peter Shilton, also unfit for the Turkey match, is likely to be back in goal but Robson will probably give Chris Woods another game against Scotland on Saturday. With the likes of Careca, Junior, Edinho, Julio Cesar and Alemao missing from the Brazilian side it is impossible to judge the nature of England's task tonight. In case anyone has forgotten, this is a competitive fixture with tonight's teams and Scotland vying for the Rous Cup.

If Brazil are using the occasion to blood their Olympic team Wembley's, biggest crowd for an England game in 5'A years will feel cheated. But it needs only a touch of the samba rhythms to make the evening a memorable one. years. They finished League runners-up in 1983 and were losing FA Cup finalists in 1984. Taylor also played a major part in creating Watford's reputation as one of football's friendliest clubs.

However, he almost certainly felt he had gone as far as he could with Watford, who this season finished in mid-table and were beaten in the FA Cup semi-finals by Tottenham. Taylor said "lam sure my move will reactivate Elton John, and I am equally positive that Watford's new manager, Dave Bassett, will recharge the old enthusiasm. Of Aston Villa, he said: There is no way I will come to a place where there is no discipline and no apparent youth policy or scouting policy and let it continue that way. As for the players, I am working on the assumption that they are not good enough. I have got to have some leadership somewhere.

Bassett, who spent 11 years at Plough Lane, took Wimbledon from the Fourth Division to the First in four years. This season they finished sixth in the League and defeated all the major clubs in either League or knockout competitions. It's a great chance for me," said Bassett. I'm a bit sad to be leaving Wimbledon, but I live just five minutes from Watford so it's an ideal place to go. They have a lot of good players with whom I'm looking forward to working." Bassett succeeded Dario Gradi as Wimbledon manager in 1981 and promptly adopted a long ball style, rather similar to Watfords, which proved both successful and popular with the fans.

He would seem to be the ideal choice for a club with Watford's attacking traditions. Bassett's first signing at Vicarage Road could be the Falkirk midfield player Peter Hetherston, whom he was about to sign for Wimbledon for 50,000 just before he resigned. SOCCER A double shuffle yesterday saw Graham Taylor leave Watford and become the new manager of Aston Villa and Dave Bassett move swiftly to fill the managerial vacancy at Watford. Taylor has been released from his contract by the Watford chairman, Elton John, who will not seek compensation from Villa. Wimbledon, however, are seeking 150,000 compensation from Watford for Bassett resigned from Wimbledon early last week.

Taylor, 42, has signed a four-year contract with Villa, who sacked Billy NcNeill 11 days ago after being relegated to the Second Division. Villa's chairman, Doug Ellis, de- MOTOR RACING, CYCLING AND BADMINTON PAGE 31 scribed Taylor's appointment as a scoop." This decision will probably not make a lot of sense to some people, as I am leaving a First Division club to take charge of one in the Second," said Taylor, who had three years of his contract to run. But I have a reputation for not following the system, and my immediate aim is to get Villa back into the First Division as soon as possible. I have got to restore some discipline and pride in the club." Elton John, who last month was thought to be considering selling the club, confirmed that he would be staying at Vicarage Road. Graham Taylor has done a wonderful job in his 10 years here, but now he has gone there is no question of me leaving," he said.

Taylor, who served his managerial apprenticeship with Lincoln City, took over Watford when they were in the Fourth Division and guided them to the First within five STRAINING SESSION Brazil's Josimar (left) helps Batista with his stretching exercises Martin James reports from Dusseldorf The haunted Villa McEnroe's clay feat THE LAST TIME Brazil were beaten at Wembley, 91 years ago, they threatened to walk off in anger at the award of one of the two penalties which England missed. Similar chaos is unlikely to reign at Wembley tonight although the match is already burdened by some confusion before it starts. Brazil are bound to be practically unrecognisable from the side that enthralled everybody in last year's World Cup. At most their team will include only four of those who. went to Mexico.

Apart from Mabbutt and the Arsenal full-backs Bobby Robson has the familiar England squad to choose from but yesterday delayed announcing his side in order to carry out a further check on the Tottenham players following the FA Cup final. I've got to be double sure that the players will be mentally and physically alert for the occasion," the England manager explained. It's a big match for us and one we want to win very much. The Spurs lads will want to play. There would be something wrong with them if they didn't.

But I have to decide in my own mind whether it is right for some or all of them to play three days after a two-hour Cup final." Hoddle, Waddle and Hodge are the principal Tottenham players affected. With Beardsley recovered from a hamstring injury and return-, ing to the attack, Clive Allen is due to resume his place on the bench following last month's disappointing performance in Turkey. The obvious cover for Hoddle is the uncapped Neil Webb of Nottingham Forest but if Robson has to change his midfield he may do so with images of England's 2-0 triumph in Rio three years ago uppermost in his thoughts. England, their squad heavily depleted by injuries and club calls, were given no chance in Rio but all this John Rodda Fatima hits out FATIMA Whitbread yesterday criticised Britain's women athletes for their lack of success in the international arena. Speaking in London, the 26-year-old European javelin champion and world record holder accused them of lacking the commitment and discipline of their male counterparts, citing last summer's Euro- ean championships in tuttgart, where the men won seven of Britain's eight gold medals.

The women are not very single minded, their attitude leaves a lot to be desired. They need to be tougher mentally," she declared. Certainly women's athletics in this country needs to become more professional in its outlook." This was not quite how the sponsors and the organisers expected yesterday's news conference to go, but it showed an impatience by at least two of Britain's successful athletes for the administrators to stop tinkering with changes and streamline the sport. Whitbread's success is certainly due to her own hard work, but it cannot be divorced from the close link she has with Andy Norman, the British promotions officer. Yesterday she skilfully avoided being associated with the suggestion that the tea party atmosphere of the Women's Championships has something to do with the miserable state of women's athletics in Britain, but she agreed that changes were needed.

Whitbread, who became Britain's first world record holder in the throwing events when she achieved her mark of 77.44 metres in the qualifying round of the championships in Stuttgart, predicted that she would improve that record this summer. She said that her training was going as well now as it was this time last year This week she goes to Norway for her first competition and will then defend her HFC United Kingdom title at Derby over the bank holiday weekend. Her consistency there is almost guaran teed, for she has won six. titles at these championships. If only others were like her the remedy according to the world record holder, is harder work and a better strategy.

Linford Christie, the Euronean 100 metres champion, obviously in no danger of getting a chauvinist label to his name, supported Whitbread's argument. A lot of the women are content with third or fourth places when they should be looking to be the best. They don't seem to want to train as hard as the men he said. Christie, recovered from hamstring problems and chicken pox that brought his indoor racing plans to an end, is also running in Norway this week, over 200 metres. John McEnroe and Stefan Edberg emerged from the opening day of the Peugeot World Team Cup in Dusseldorf yesterday with hard-fought victories that could prove beneficial in more ways than one.

Despite producing a topsyturvy performance a mixture of glaring errors and marvellous winners McEnroe was still able to squeeze through and beat Emilio Sanchez 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to give the United States a 2-0 winning lead over Spain in their opening round-robin group match. Edberg had an even more important role to play in helping his nervous Swedish team to a 2-1 victory over a West German side minus Boris Becker. Like McEnroe, Edberg also had to struggle. However, unlike the former world No 1, who was made to work over time by an accomplished clay-court performer, Edberg was put through the wringer by Eric Jelen. a nlaver who is equally as comfortable on a slow court.

However, much to the disappointment of a large and vociferous centre court crowd, numbering almost 7,500, Evert seeks PEARCE New cap changed when John Barnes dribbled through a limp Brazilian defence to score a remarkable goal and Mark Hateley added another with a header which changed the course of his career. Robson must be tempted to use Barnes again- even though the Watford forward has started only one match for England this season, the first which ended in a 1-0 defeat in Sweden. To an extent this would depend on the state of Waddle but there is nothing to stop England employing an extra striker and using Bryan Robson and Peter Reid as the anchorman in midfield. And of course Hateley is still there as BRIAN CLOUGH left Bobby Robson's newest international almost speechless yesterday. The Nottingham Forest left-back Stuart Pearce, refused to talk to the press after learning that he would be facing Brazil at Wembley tonight.

My manager says we are not allowed to talk," said Pearce. I am sorry, but I don't want to be fined by him. Brian Clough is my club boss not Bobby Robson, and I take it he means all matches when he says we mustn't talk." SPORT IN BRIEF SNOOKER The world championships are to stay in Sheffield, despite a dispute' over tobacco sponsorship. Sheffield council's health and consumer services officials have recommended that events sponsored by tobacco companies should be banned from areas under council influence, including the Crucible Theatre, which hosts the championships. But councillors have stepped back from a snooker ban, and the deputy leder of the city RESULTS Soccer FOOTBALL COMBINATION: Charlton I Crystal Palace Charlton 1.

Tottenham 2i lioitennam win mie). Tennis WORLD TEAM CUP (Duesseldorf. uen. nea Grow: sweaen Deal west Ger many 2-1 (Swedish names first): S. Edberg beat E.

lelen 6-3. 6-7. 6-4; J. Nystrom lost to D. Keretic 6-4.

6-2: EdbergA. Jarryd beat lelenT. Melnecke 6-2. 6-3. Blue Group: United States lead Spain 2-0 (US names first): B.

Gilbert beat S. Casal 4-6, 6-4. 6-3; I. McEnroe beat Emilio Sanchez 3-6. 7-s.

NATIONAL RATINGS TOURNAMENT. Finals (Sheffield): Men: A Broomhead beat; A Evans 6-3. 7-S. Women: Loughton beat waite 6-7. e-3.

e-4. FLORENCE GRAND PRIX. First Round: A. Anassl (US) beat P. Voltlsek (W Ger) 6-4.

6-2; M.DicKson (US) beat C. Limberger (Aus) 6-4. 7-s: I. Yzaga (Peru) beat t. uavm trgj o-s.

-o. STRASBOURG GRAND PRIX: Singles: Women: E. Burgln (US) beat A. Kanallopoulou (Gr) 6-3. 6-3; I.

Wiesner (Aust) beat G. Femanaez tus) e-4. y-s: a. Kilinuta (Ianan) beat P. Medrado (Br) 3-6.

6- 4. 6-3; C. Sulre (Fr) beat U. Nelson-Dunbar (us) 7-s. z-6, 6-i; a.

HenncKsson tub) oeat M. van Nostrand (US) 6-1. 6-2: K. Horvath (us; neat u. uauestrai (aus) o-.

o-o. Golf INVITATION TOURNAMENT (Fort Worth). Final round: (US unless staled): zod K. Clearwater 67. 71.

64. 64. 269 D. Love 69. 69.

65. 66. 270 D. Pohl 69. 67.

66. 68. 272 C. Strange 68. 66: 70.

68: S. Simpson 0, OB. 70. 69. 23 L.

JVUZe OO. 0. 0. 07: B. Crenshaw 67.

69.6S. 72; J. Slumen 68. 69. 68.

68. 274 T. Byrum 67. 69. 67.

71: S. Hoch 68. 68. 71. 67: D.

Tewell 68. 66. 68. 72. -278 B.

Lletzke 69. 67. 69. 70; Bara (Can) DO, 70, 7U. m.

Lye OS. OD, Do, li, o. Wadkins 67. 69. 73.

66: B. Tway 70. 68. 70. 67; C.

Beck 66, 67. 71. 71. WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT (Middletown. Nl).

Final round (US unless stated): 215 A. Okamoto (Japan) 70. 74. 71. 217 ueooes vo, vi, waiKer it, iv.

js. 218 T. Green 71. 73. 74.

219 B. Zimmerman 75. 72. 72; Ok-Hee Ku (S Korea) 74, 72. 73: S.

Turner 71. 75, 73; B. Barrett 7Z, 73, 74. 2ZO B. BunKOWSKy 74.

7Z. 74; S. Qulnlan 75. 71. 74; M.

Ward 72. 72. 76. Badminton WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Peking). Singles: First round: M.

Sidek (Mai) neat l. w. unecK ismgj is-ii. io-d; a. White (Scot) beat T.

Alston (US) 15-5. 15-8: I. Suglarto (Dido) beat U. Johansson (Swe) 15-8. 15-6: Yang Yang (China) beat Shlnji Matsuura (Japan) 15-3.

15-2: Yiong Guobao (umnaj oeat roui-rut noyer uenj io-ii. 15-10: N. Yales (Eng) beat Bae San-Yong (S. Korea) 15-10. 15-5.

Women's singles: First round: Li Llngwel (t-runa) waixover uayo uyewusi 9, Kilada (JaDan) walkover He Jianoino (Mex): L. Soon-Heuna (S. Korea) beat F. Elliott (Eng) 3-11, 11-2. 11-8; K.

Larsen (Den) beat M. Montero (Peru) 11-1. 11-1: T. Julhong (China) beat Chee Chan Urn (HK) 11-0. 11-8; Han Alplng (China) beat K.

Sarwendah (Indo) 11-4. 11-3; Zheng Yuli (China) beat C. Allison (Can) 11-4. 11-1; L. Young-Suk (S rtoreai oeai b.

Auen (aeon ii-t. n-i; n. Cator (Aus) beat J. Allen (Scot) 11-1. 7-11.

12-11; Gu naming (China) beat K. Lockey (NZ) 11-1. 11-1. Baseball American League. Baltimore Orioles 3.

California Angels Oakland Athletics 3. Toronto Blue Jays Chicago White Sox 8. Texas Rangers Detroit Tigers 8. Cleveland Indians 4: Minnesota Twins 10. Boston Red Sox 8 (In 10): Kansas City Royals 3.

Milwaukee Brewers New York Yankees 8. Seattle Mariners 3. STANDINGS. East Division: New York Yankees 24, 13, Pet 0.649; Toronto Blue Jays 21. 14.

0.600; Milwaukee Brewers 20. 14. 0.588: Baltimore Orioles 18. 19. 0.486; Detroit Tigers 16.

19. 0.457; Boston Red Sox 16. 20. 0.444; Cleveland Indians 11. 26.

0.297. West Division: Kansas City Royals 20. 14. Pet 3.588; Seattle Mariners 20. 17.

0.541; California Angels 19. 18. 0.514: Minnesota Twins 19, 18. 0.514: Oakland Athletics IB. 16, 0.500; Texas Rangers 15.

19. 0.441; Chicago White Sox 13, 21, 0.382. NATIONAL LEAGUE. Pittsburgh Pirates 6. Atlanta Braves Montreal Expos 8.

Los Angeles Dodgers New York Mets 6. San Francisco Giants San Diego Padres 6, Philadelphia Phillies Chicago Cubs 6. Houston Astros St Louis Cardinals 10. Cincinnati Reds 2. her Glass court title council, Clive Betts, has told the sport's ruling body that the tournament can stay in Sheffield, even if Embassy remain the sponsors.

RUGBY LEAGUE Australian forward Mai Graham, who is leaving Bradford Northern, has set his sights on returning to Oldham next season as player-coach. Rochdale Hornets have offered him a two-year contract as a player but Graham, a qualified physical-training instructor, is keen to return to Oldham, where in the 1985-6 season he scored 21 tries in 27 appearances, a club record for a forward. STANDINGS. East Division: St Louis Cardinals 21. 13.

Pet 0.618: Chicago Cubs 22, 14. 0.611: Montreal Expos 18. 18. 0.500: Pittsburgh Pirates 16. 18, 0.471; New York Mets 16.

19. 0.457: Philadelphia Phillies 14. 21. 0.400. West Division: Cincinnati Reds 22.

15. Pet 0.595: San Francisco Giants 22. 15. 0.595: Houston Astros 19. 17.

0.528; Atlanta Braves 19. 18. 0.514: Los Angeles Dodgers 19. 19. 0.500; San Diego Padres 9.

30, 0.231: SOUTHERN LEAGUE. First Division: Cobham Yankees 27. GlUlngham Dodgers 4: Enfield Spartans 20. Barnestormers 5: Golders Green Sox v. Croydon Bluejays.

post: Sutton Braves 10, Crawley Giants 6. Basketball NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. Eastern Conference Play-off. Semi-finals: Boston Celtics 119. Milwaukee Bucks 113 (Celtics win best-of-seven series 4-3).

Cricket WARWICK UNDER-2S COMPETITION. Old TraHord: Lancashire 176 for five; Yorkshire 177 for two (R. J. Blakey 93. D.

Byas 70 no). Yorkshire won by eight wickets. Leicester: Leicester v. Northants abandoned. BAIN DAWES TROPHY.

TAUNTON: Somerset 251 for six (J. Wyatt 117): Glamorgan 252 for seven (Peterson 58). Glamorgan won by three wickets. Bamstead: Surrey v. Sussex abandoned.

Cycling MILK RACE. First stage (Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Newton AycUffe. 103 miles): 1. Elliott (ANC-Halfords) 4hr 08mln 07sec; 2. Joughln (Percy Bllton); 3.

Krawczyk (Pol); 4. A Zinov (USSR); 5. 1 Sanders (Percy Bllton): 6. Coles (Britannia): 7. Demol (AD Rentlng-MBK): 8.

Sefton (British Professional): 9 van Vooren (AD Rentina. MBK); 10. Fahlin (Swe). all same time. Overall placings: 1.

Elliott 4:10.27: 2. Walsham (Percy Bllton) at 2 sec; 3. Kinst (Cz); 4. Le Blgaut (Peugeot Dan-Air): 5. Koba (Peugeot Dan-Air); 6.

Sykora (Cz) all at 3 sec. Stage One Team: 1. Percv Bllton 12:24 21: 2. A Renting-MBK; 3. Poland; 4, Czechoslovakia: 5.

USSR: 6. GB Amateurs; 7. Britannia; 8. GB-Professlonals. all same time.

Equestrianism HEINEKEN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION. SHIP (Punchestown, L. Green negai neajm oo.oopp; z. J. sainsbury GB) Zeus 37.S0: 3.

J. Thelwall (GRI Marsh Heron 39.75. Handball BRITISH LEAGUE EK '82 24 WakpfinM 17. BRITISH LEAGUE Suconri niufelnn Final German Tornados 10 Strathdvdn University 0. BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF (Women).

Wake-field Metros 19. Yulll and Dodd Satelltes 7. Ice Hockey STANLEY CUP. Edmonton CMars i Philadelphia Flyers 2. (Edmonton leads best-of seven series 1-0).

American Football BUDWEISER LEAGUE NaHannl niu. lsion Manchester Snartans 27 i.pirvetnr Panthers 27. Sllverbacks 8. Fylde Falcons awuiuon aieeiers it, uinoon Havens 39. Snooker ROTHMAN'S MATCHROOM I.CSRllE (Liverpool).

D. Tavlor (NI) draw uillh Ul Thome (Eng) 4-4. Final Standings: 1. S. Davis P7.

W4. 13pts; 2. N. Foulds 7. 3.

12; 3. J. White 7. 3. 11; 4, T.

Griffiths 7. 2, 5. Taylor 7. 2, 6. A.

Meo 7. 2. 7, Thorburn 7. 2. 8: 8.

W. Thome 7, 1.6. Davis wins 80,000. FIXTURES Soccer ROUS CUP England v. Brazil (at Wembley) (8.0).

CENTRAL LEAGUE. First Mvlilon Leeds v. Everton (7.0) Middlesbrough v. Oldham (7.0). Rugby League ALL-ENGLAND SCHOOLS FINAL (at nIH.

ham RLFC 5.0): Bransholme (Hull) v. St Augustine's (Oldham). Cricket WARWICK UNDER-2S COMPETITION Edgbaaton: Warwickshire v. Worcestershire: BAIN DAWES TROPHY. Chesterfield: Derbyshire v.

Nottinghamshire: Bristol: Gloucestershire v. Glamorgan: Southampton: Hampshire v. Middlesex; Old TraHord: Lancashire v. Northamptonshire. Celts seek exit visas Brian McClair, Mo Johnston and Murdo Macieoa.

wno an want to leave Celtic, have been included in the club squad to go to Australia. They are due to leave on Sunday for a tour which includes matches against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. United are among the clubs who have shown an interest in McClair, scorer of 42 goals this season, who yesterday collected the player of the year award from the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association to go with the equivalent award from the Scottish Football Writers' Association he won two weeks ago. David Hay, the Celtic manager, has meanwhile increased his offer to Manchester City for Mick McCarthy, the Republic of Ireland centre-half, to almost 450,000 and is prepared to talk to Arsenal when they return today from a trip to Cyprus about bringing back the former Celtic favourite, unarne wicnoias. Avi Cohen, who was at Liverpool seven years ago, is about to be reunited with Graeme Souness at Rangers.

The champions yesterday agreed to pay about 100,000 for the 30-year-old Macabbi Tel Aviv and Israeli international defender. The Scottish PFA made Jim Holmes (Morton) their First Division player and John Sluden (Ayr) their Second Div ision player of the year. Rob ert riecK gangers) was voted young player ot the year. Brian McGinlay, the referee who resigned after a late-night incident Glasgow lust be fore he was due to officiate in the World Cup last year, wants to return to the first grade-list. SKOL CUP DRAW.

Second round. (Wednesday August 19): Morton Clyde, Stranraer or Albion Rovers East Fife. Motherwell Airdrle. Stenhousemuir or East Stirling Dunfermline. Hearts Kilmarnock.

Cowdenbeath or Queen's Park Dundee. Aberdeen Brechin, Berwick or Stirling Albion Rangers. Celtic Forfar, Meadowbank Hamilton. St Mirren St Johnstone or Alloa, Ralth Rovers Dundee United Partick Thistle. Arbroath or Ayr Dumbarton.

Hibernian Montrose. Queen of the South Falkirk. FIFA have told the Italian World Cup organising committee that two of the 12 stadia they propose to use for the 1990 competition, at Cagliari and Palermo, need to be improved. The Italians have proposed that the tournament should start on June 9, follow the same formula as in Mexico, leading to a final in Rome's Olympic Stadium on July 8. BURNLEY, who escaped relegation to the GM Vauxhall Conference by one point, have given free transfers to 16 of their 24 professional staff, in-cluding Leighton James.

DUNDEE UNITED are instructed to direct any rage they feel at their loss to St Mirren in the Scottish Cup final against IFK Gothenburg in the second leg of the UEFA Cup final. Jim Mclean, who called the Cup final our worst performance at Hampden said yesterday that he was looking for 11 angry men on Wednesday night." IAN WILSON, the Scottish international and Leicester City captain, has put in a written transfer, request. Graham Taylor's task could not be harder, writes David Lacey If the decision of Graham Taylor to leave Watford after 10 years is no great surprise, his arrival at Aston villa will surely raise more than a few eyebrows. Many a good man's career has gone to the grave with Villa Park written on its heart. There is more logic to Dave Bassett succeeding Taylor at Watford.

Bassett took Wimbledon from Fourth Division to First in four seasons using roughly the same tactics with which Taylor brought First Division football to Vicarage Road in five. But roughly is the operative word. Wimbledon may use the long ball they have also been known to use the short jab. Taylor probably did not intend to stay at Watford for 10 years. His is a restless spirit, and he was speculating about his future in 1984 when Watford reached the FA Cup final.

The prime reason he remained so long was the relationship he enjoyed with his chairman, Elton John, and the smooth functioning of the club. BUBBLY Champagne ail round no mow UIICIIMIICUI, LZIIUM UUHII Australian Pools VICTORIA; STATE. Caulfie.d C. western bt. Aioans Morwcii s.

Oakleigh Northcotc C. 1. DIVISION 1. Doncaster Melbourne Esse nil on Altora G. 1: Nunawading N.

Dandenonn 2. DIVISION 2. Clifton Hill Westoate Dovcton Dandenong (1: Eltham Altonu Mooroolbark Wavcrley Mornington Hamlyn N. Geelong Rinowood rah ran Sandrlngham DIVISION 3. Ciarinda Moreland Pk.

Corio U. Bell Pk. Geelong Kellor 5: Pt. Melbourne Moorabbln Rosanna Ferntrce Springvalc U. VV.

Brunswick Yarravllle Yallourn 1. DIVISION 4. Diamond Hawthorn 2: Holland Pk Coburg (6); Keysboro Boronia Lalor E. Brunswick Langwarrin Karingal (7); Prahran Pascoe Vale Williamstown Sea ford (12). WEST AUSTRALIA: STATE.

Azzurri Spearwood Balga Athena 2: Cockburn Bayswutcr Gosnells Klngsway (4; Stirling M. Osborne Pk. 1. DIVISION 2. E.

Perth Balcatta Fremantlc B. Bassendeon Melville Kwinana N. Perth Sublaco 1 Sorrento Forrestfleld 1 Swan A. Kelmscott (2). DIVISION 3.

Booragoon Morley Dianella Rockingham Fcrndalc Swan C. Perth C. Armadale Pk University Western (II): Wanneroo Queen's Pk. 1, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: DIVISION 1. Azzurri Salisbury 2: Cumberland Camp be lltown (8); Lion-Grange Croatia 1: Para Hills Central Pelonia Hellas (10); W.

Torrens Woodville 2. DIVISION 2. Blackwood Nearlunga U. Elizabeth Pt. Adelaide Enfield C.

Thcburton 1: Med bury Brighton C. 1 Si; a ford Adelaide C. 1. QUEENSLAND: DIVISION 3. Brighton Darra (9); Cupalaba University Ox ley U.

Slacks Creek. Figures in parentheses indicate draws in a a a in under the chief executive, Eddie Plumley. Apart from winning matches nothing contents football manager so much as settled boardroom. In some ways Villa will present a better prospect for Taylor than, say, Manchester City, who are still struggling to recover from the prolific spending which accompanied Malcolm Allison's last visit to Maine Road. Villa have a caucus of good players needing the guidance and motivation that Taylor will bring.

However, Villa also have a chairman, Doug Ellis, who is about as patient of failure as the Queen of Hearts. In appointing Taylor, Ellis has shown sound judgment. He should now demonstrate egual shrewdness by giving him time to succeed. Taylor's track record as a football manager is unimpeachable. Now that Aston Villa have him in charge, Ellis is the man whose credibility is on the line.

Bassett, too, in a way from Taylor he is inheriting a strong squad, several highly promising youngsters and, above all, the healthy family atmosphere that his predecessor did much to promote. Watford fans will welcome Bassett's direct approach, but they will not relish a repetition of Wimbledon's disciplinary record. Nobody wants blue murder at the Vicarage. as Dave Bassett (left) meets SOCCER IN BRIEF SOUTHAMPTON have given a free transfer to Nick Holmes, their 32-year-old club captain, after 17 years and 542 first-team appearances. David Armstrong, the former England international, will also receive free transfer after turnine down an offer of reduced terms for next season.

MEL MACHIN, who had talks with Manchester Citv on Fri day about the team manaeer's job at Maine Road, has as umei coacn ai iNor- wich City. PORTO have been offered a kilo of gold for everv eoal thev score against Bayern Munich next week's European Cup final. The offer would cost the Italian coffee comnanv some 9,000 a goal. COVENTRY are to request an FA Cup winner's medal for Brian Borrows, the rieht back who missed their Wembley victory with a leg injury. Edberg came through 6-3.

6-7, 6-4. But his battle was far from over. The Swedish No 2 Joakim Nystrom was then beaten with surprising ease 6-4, 6-2 by Damir Keretic in the second rubber and Edberg had to return to play in tne important deciding doubles. Fortunately for Edberg it was a short affair as he and partner Anders Jarryd overwhelmed Jelen and Tore Memeche 6-2. 6-3.

I haven't been doing too well on clay and this was very important tor me, said Edberg. Playing on clay for me is a question of getting through the mental barrier and this win help a lot, espe cially for the French Open." McEnrose must have felt the same way about his victory over Sanchez. He certainly produced a gritty display to fight back from 2-5 and 0-40 to win the first set, and although he lost the second set McEnroe never allowed Sanchez to get in front again. The outstanding doubles match from the USA-Spain tie was neio over until touay. France and Argentina, who are in the blue group with the United States, will play today, while Czechoslovakia will come up against Australia in tne red group.

recovery of from Jo Durie, Sara Gomer and Anne Hobbs, who have gained direct entry to the main draw. Annabel Croft has entered but will have to rely on a wild card or the quality-ine tournament. Rain interrupted play just after the start on the opening day ot tne women European Open in Geneva forcing the organisers to call off yesterday's programme. John McEnroe, who has never won the French Open, is seeded No. 7 for this year's tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Pans starting next Monday.

FRENCH OPEN SEEDS. 1. Ivan Lendl (Cz); 2. Boris Becker (WG): 3. Stefan Edberg (Swe); 4.

Mats Wilander (Swe); S. Miloslav Mecir (Cz); 6. Yannlck Noah (Fr); 7. John Mctnroe (uaj; o. jimmy uonnors Henri Leconte (Ft): 10, Andres Gomez (Ecuador); 11.

Kent Carlsson (Swe): 12, Pat Cash (AustV 13. Mikael Pernfors (Swe): 14. Martin kite (Arg); 15. Brad Gilbert (US); 16. Johan the latest American to confirm his participation in the 200,000 Bell's Scottish Open championship at Gleneagles on July 8-11.

Couples, 27, who won the recent Byron Nelson Classic after a play off his third tournament title has moved into the top ten of the US money winners list. Nick Faldo's victory in the Spanish Open at Las Brisas has brought him back into the top 50 of the Sony world rankings. The British Ryder cup golfer is now in 42nd place, having been well established in the top 25 until he began remodelling his swing a year ago. The top three, clearly ahead of their rivals, are Greg Norman with 1,646 points, Severiano Ballesteros with 1,336, and Bernhard Langer with 1.166. Chris Evert makes one of her rare pre-Wimbledon ap- Pearances at the 125,000 ilkington Glass Championships at Eastbourne from June 15 to 20.

She is seeded to meet Martina Navratilova aiming for her seventh title in the final. Evert last played in the tournament in 1984- when she reached the semi-finals. She won the title in 1974, 1976 and 1979. when she beat Navratilova 7-5, 5-7, 13-11. Although Steffi Graf, now considered to be Navratilova's chief rival, has not entered, there will be seven of the top 10.

women challenging for the 25,000 first prize. Last year's runner-up Helena Sukova, will be the third seed with Pam Shriver, who has never contested the singles before, at four. The British challenge comes Thomson chooses Coventry Peter Thomson one of the greatest golfers in the history, of the game, will be playing in Britain next month. The 58- year-old Australian, five times winner of the Open Championship, has agreed to contest the Trusthouse Forte PGA Seniors Championship at Coventry from June 18-21. Thomson five ODen vic tories have only been bettered by Harry Vardon, and during his career he won over 20 tournaments in Europe as well as several other major events in America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The Seniors format has successfully extended his career, and in the last five years he has emerged as a major figure on the American Seniors tour. oraer oi preference. PAUL WILCOX Meanwhile, Fred Couples is.