The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 24

24 SPORTS NEWS The Guardian, Thursday May 30 1996 Soccer League may block 10m bidforOPR Noil Robinson ace almost a decade ago, and it refused to approve a Brighton ground-share scheme at Portsmouth for next season unless the club first submitted proposals for a new ground in the Hove area. Even if the League approves the scheme, QPR's former chairman Richard Thompson, whose family retains a controlling interest in the club, may not accept Wright's offer. Although Wright believed the deal was "in the bag" two days ago, he said last night that Thompson had "changed the parameters and that usually means asking for more money. "I have been a supporter at Loftus Road for 20 years. That's why I want to get involved: because I am a fanatic.

1 can put the club, with the help of my co-backers, on an extremely firm financial backing, and with the extra revenue we get from Wasps' use of the stadium we can look ahead to a very bright future into the 21st century. "We should be challenging for cups again. I have huge ambition for QPR. The ultimate is to be on the same footing as the Manchester Un-iteds of this world." Wasps have asked for 21 days to consider Wright's offer, which would net them 1.75 million. Sunderland are interested in signing the Manchester City captain Keith Curie and his team-mate Niall Quinn.

The Roker Park club's manager Peter Reid took Curie, 32, to City four years ago for 2 million, a fee that City would expect to recoup. Quinn, the Republic of Ireland striker, would be available for about 1.5 million. The Leicester manager Martin O'Neill, who has been given 5 million to keep the newly promoted East Midlands club in the Premiership, is interested in signing Norwich's Spencer Prior. The 25-year-old defender has rejected a new deal at Carrow Road. O'Neill is also keen to hang on to Mustafa Izzett, the 20-year-old Chelsea winger who spent the final two months of the season on loan at Filbert Street, and yesterday Izzett asked Chelsea to decide on his future.

"Martin O'Neill has told me he will try everything to keep me, and you can't say more than that," he said. "It is up to Chelsea to say whether they are, prepared to let me go." Ipswich Town have signed Bobby Petta, a 21-year-old midfielder, on a free transfer from Feyenoord. Petta, a Holland Under-18 and Under-21 international, is out of contract and has agreed a three-year deal. CHRIS WRIGHT'S ambitious plan to take over Queens Park Rangers and Wasps hit what may prove an insurmountable obstacle last night when the Football League announced that it might veto ground-sharing at Loftus Road. The 51-year-old music magnate is negotiating to buy the soccer and rugby union clubs for more than 10 million.

The money would secure outright control of Rangers and 49.9 per cent of Wasps, who currently play at Sudbury; under the plan the Courage League One side would move in at Rangers. However, the Football League is concerned about the effect rugby union would have on Loftus Road, and could scupper the initiative. "Any member club wishing to share its ground with another sporting activity would need our permission," said a spokesman. "There would be obvious concerns as to the standard of pitches for League matches if another sport were to be staged on the same ground." The League has cooled on ground-share arrangements since Charlton escaped closure by moving in with Crystal Pal Wide of the mark Germany's Jiirgen Klinsmann misses with a fourth-minute penalty after he had been felled at Windsor Park last night Friendly Internationals: Northern Ireland 1 Germany 1 Germans generous to a fault Swiss squad is voted a miss missing; Klinsmann, who would normally have counted as the seventh automatic choice, is suspended for that game but the German captain played here, much to the pleasure of the Irish FA because his appearance guaranteed a warm response from those having one last stand on the soon-to-be demolished Spion Kop. Klinsmann's marker Hill had played a few minutes of extra-time football at Wembley on Monday for Leicester City against Crystal Palace and as early as the fourth minute he learned that Klinsmann is no Dougie Freedman.

Gillespie, waiting for the J3aUtoc0me.t0Mnv.was surprised by Ziege. The marauding left-back passed swiftly to Moller and his knock-back was being eyed invitingly by Klinsmann, who had slipped Hill, when Lomas tangled with the striker. Not for the first time Klinsmann fell. The referee awarded the penalty but Klinsmann, perhaps diplomatically, struck the ball wide of Fettis's right post. He had made no such mistake against Holland last time out.

The game was partly disrupted by bookings for three Germans, including Scholl, but the Bayem Munich midfielder made a more meaningful contribution in the 33rd minute when he ran on to Klinsmann's flick, only to be tumbled by Worthington in the area. Another penalty, another miss. This time Moller was the culprit, skying the ball over the bar. The whole crowd cheered as if Northern Ireland had scored. There was not a convincing case to be made for such an upset at this stage and it was Germany, through Strunz, who forced Fettis into a diving save after the interval.

But the Germans found Hughes difficult to tie down and George O'Boyle, who had come on for Gillespie, looked lively and certainly more interested than the Germans. And with 10 minutes remaining the O'Boyle-Hughes combination struck gold, the former ramming home the latter's inswinging cross from four yards. The Germans suddenly realised they were in a game and that Euro 96 was only 10 days away. Immediately they swept upfield and Scholl exchanged passes with Moller before drilling the equaliser low past Fettis. The sides will meet again in World Cup qualifiers and Berti Vogts, Germany's coach, admitted after the match: "It will be harder against Northern Ireland in the World Cup.

We found them troublesome tonight." NORTHERN IRELAND: Fettis (Notlm Forest); Griffin (St Johnslono), Mill (Leicester City). Hunter (Wrexham), Worthington (Leeds United; Rowland, West Ham United, h-t), -lllosplo (Newcastle United; O'Boyle. SI Johnstone, 63min). Lomas (Manchester Cily), Magllton (Southampton). Hushes, Dowio (both West Ham), McMahon (Tottenham Hotspur).

GERMANVl Kahn; Heliner. Bsafer. Kohlsr. Ellis, Ziege (Bode, h-t). Strunz.

Scholl. Moller. Blerhoff (KunU. h-t). KUmunann (BoMc.

h-l). Refereet Young (Glasgow). Michael Walker at Windsor Park RN THE eight days since they arrived in Belfast the Germans have repeatedly praised their hosts for their Irish hospitality. But last night it was the visitors dishing out the gifts. They missed two first-half penalties and a late chance for victory, and the result means Northern Ireland's record in their last four meetings with the Germans is a highly creditable won two, drawn two.

Germany's starting line-up featured six of those who wfll probably face the Czech Republic at Old Trafford on Sunday week. Kopke, Sam-mer, Reuter and Hassler were Republic of Ireland 0, SWITZERLAND'S coach Artur Jorge, who has left the midfielder Alain Sutter and the striker Adrian Knup out of his squad for Euro 96 in which they play England in the first match on Saturday week has been criticised by the Swiss media for discarding the mainstays of the side Roy Hodgson took to the 1994 World Cup finals. When the former Portugal player revealed his hand yesterday, the Zurich-based Tagcs-Amzeiger said: "Artur Jorge is leaning out of the window with this selection. It might well prove that during the European Championship he will fall but of it Switzerland's final pre-championship match is against the Czech Republic in Basel on Saturday, and England's coach Terry Venables will be there to see how they play without Sutter and Knup. Both were in the side beaten 3-1 by England at Wembley in November.

Jorge's relationship with the media has been prickly since he took over from Hodgson at the turn of the year. Asked why he had not picked Sutter and Knup, he said: "It had nothing to do with personalities." Sutter, the midfielder and Greenpeace activist who was behind the Swiss players' protests against French nuclear testing last year, has had an excellent season for the German side Freiburg, and Knup has looked sharp for Karlsruhe. Scotland's coach Craig Hockey Folha silences Republic's young guns nolly cleverly back-heeled the ball into the path of Town-send and it took, a save of the highest class from Baia to deny the Republic the lead. Later Portugal's goalkeeper and captain seized the ball at the feet of Connolly when a goal seemed certain. Early in the second half McLoughlin cleverly rounded Couto only to be body-checked just outside the box by Sa Pinto, who was lucky to escape a yellow card.

O'NeLU then sent a shot just over from 20 yards and was again Rugby League Early-morning snack proves costlyfor Croatian striker I A HILE Paul Gascoignc's alleged late-night indiscretions on flight CX251 could still cost him a place in next month's European Championship, Ivica Mor-nar has already ruined any plans he had of visiting England with Croatia. Officials ruled the Ein-tracht Frankfurt striker out of Euro 96 after he was found eating a sandwich in the bar of the squad's hotel inPorecat 3 am. Mornar was expected to be included in the final 22 as cover for Davor Suker and Alen Boksic but his place has gone to Igor Parole, the leading scorer in the Croatian national league this season. A surprise omission from the 22 was Ncnad Pralija, the Hajduk Split midfielder widely seen as one of the best players in Croatian domestic football. Newcastle United's manager Kevin Keegan is angry about the omissions of Robert Lee and, especially, the 35-year-old Peter Bcardsley from England's squad.

Keegan, whose own England career ended at the age of 31, told ITV: "Perhaps Terry Venables feels Nick Barmby's got more to offer, but I'm flabbergasted. 1 think we've a habit of discarding players. We take age as being a barrier." Of Lee he added: "He is another player who can make a tremendous contribution and can play in two or three positions." Sport in brief Athletics Tony Jarrett recorded a rare 110m hurdles victory over his Great Britain team-mate Colin Jackson in Bratislava last night, writes Duncan Mackay. Jackson, the world record holder, never recovered from a poor start and finished in second place in 13.27sec, 0.03sec behind Jarrett. Darren Campbell, once picked by Linford Christie as his successor, won the 100 metres in 10.17, the seventh-best time by a Briton.

Melanie Neef, anxious not to jeopardise her Olympic prospects, has withdrawn from the European Cup 400 metres in Madrid this Saturday and will be replaced by Donna Fraser or Allison Cur-bishley, but she will run a leg of the 4x400m relay. Squash England were able to rest Mark Chaloner and the British champion Suzanne Horner and still beat the host team Malaysia 3-0 in Pool of the World Cup mixed-team event in Kuala Lumpur. Chris Walker, Mark Cairns and Jane Martin all won then' matches in straight games. Wales, defeated by Egypt, must beat Italy today to avoid the play-offs for 13th place. Cycling Mario Cipolllni marked the halfway point of the Giro d'lt-alia with his third stage victory, edging out Djamolidine Abdoujaparov of Uzbekistan in a sprint finish to yesterday's flat 81-mlle stage from Prato to Marina di Massa.

Davide Rebcllin retained the pink jersey of the overall race leader, four seconds clear of Russia's Pavel Tonkov. Brown yesterday forwarded his 22 names for Euro 96 to Uefa: with Derek Whyte of Middlesbrough taking the place left by an injury to Alan McLaren of Rangers, the squad is the same as that on tour in the United States. Scotland, with 12 over-30s in the squad, will be captained by Gary McAllister in their group games against England, Holland and Switzerland. SCOTLAND SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Uighton (Hibernian. 74 caps.) Qoram (Rangers, 251.

Walker (Parlick, 2). Defenders: Hurley (Chelsea. 8), McKiRimle (Aberdeen. 37). Boyd (Celtic 34), McKlnlay Collie.

3). Hendry (Blackburn. 17). Catdorwood rjotlenham, 10). Whyte (Middlesbrough, 9).

-Midfielders; Jess. (Coventry, 11), McAllister (Leeds. 40). McCall (Hangers. 33).

McKlnlay (Blackburn. 17), Collins (Celtic. 32). Gommlll (Notlm Forest. 6), Jackson (Hibernian, 12).

Forwards: McCoIst (Rangers, 51). Durta (Rangers. 28). Booth (Aberdeen. 11), Spencer Chelsea, 8), Qellacher (Blackburn, 21).

SWITZERLAND SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Lehmann (Sion). Pascolo (Servcltc), Cormlnboauf (Neuchalol). Defenders: Hottiger (Everion), Henchoz Quentln. Wlcky (both Sion), Vega, Geigor (both Grasshopper), Joannoret. Rothenbuhler (both Neuchatel).

Mld-tleldari: Sforza (Bayorn Munich), Fournler, Bonvin (both Sion), Ohrel (St Elienne), Koller. Comlsotti, Vogel (all Grasshopper). Forwards: Grass! (Monaco). Chapuiant (Borussia Dortmund). Turkyitmaz (Grasshopper), Sesa (Sorvctlo).

RUSSIA SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Cher-chesov (FC Tyrol), Kharin (Chelsea), Ovchinnikov (Lokomotiv Moscow). Defenders; Nlklforov. Gorlukovich (both Spartak Moscow), Tetradze (Alania Vladikavkaz), Kevtun (Dynamo Moscow), Bushmanov CSKA Moscow), Onopko (Ovlodo). Midfielders: Kanchelskis lEverton), Dobrovotsky (no club), Karpln (Real Socrodad), Moslovol (Slrasbourg), Radlmov. Khokhlov (bom CSKA), Taymbalar (Spartak).

Shalimov (Udineso). Vanovsky (Vladikavkaz). Forwards; Kolyvanov (Foggia). Kiryakov (Karlsruhe), Boschastnykh (Wordor Bromon), Slmutenkov (Reggiano). Australia threatened to overrun them in the first five minutes but Kath Johnson, a tiger of a competitor, saved a corner shot on the lino, Britain broke and Sixsmith gave them a fifth-minute lead.

Inspired by that goal Britain worked their way into the game, Brown playing with tremendous poise in a hard-worked defence and, at the other end, Sixsmith a terrier. But four corners were of no avail and Australia equalised just before half-time as Kate Starro followed up at their second corner. Britain had their best spell immediately after the interval, and continued pressure, during which Rhona Simpson shot against the crossbar, brought them their second goal as the captain Jill Atkins cracked in a corner. Australia continued to create chances but could not beat the substitute goalkeeper Jo Thompson. But as a British win became increasingly likely the visitors had a breakthrough: with eight minutes remaining Thompson cleared a shot to Katrina Powell, who made it 2-2.

Thompson saved well minutes later but in the last seconds saw the ball fly off her pads into goal. OREAT BRITAIN! Rose; Atkins (capl). roula, Brown, Johnson, Robertson, Oavlos, Cook, Simpson, Sixsmith, A Bennett. SubstHutesi Cullen, Nicholls, Thomspon, Ma-Donald. Copo.

AUSTRALIA! Maltland; Allen, Smith, Morris leapt). Perls, A Annan. Farro.ll, Ct Roche, Pawoll, Porolra, Molt, substitutes; Tooth. Haslam, Marsdon. Slarro.

Powell. Umpires: Clarko (England), Parker (Australia). Britain show scant respect but Australia snatch late win Super League: Wigan 50, Sheffield 6 Eagles easy prey as Wigan soon get back in the groove Portugal 1 McCarthy fielded a side with an average age of 23, the youngest ever. And before long the supporters had forgotten about the miscreant Roy Keane, busy in Manchester issuing solicitors' statements saying that he regretted not having made contact with McCarthy over his nonappearance for last week's training or for the manager's testimonial, and that he would prefer to sit out the games over the summer. Nursed along by the veterans Townsend and Cascarino, 5-7, 7-5.

Doubles: Selected: First round! DahlmanC Wood (FlnGB) bt LoeC Schneider (USGar) 5-1, 7-6. Athletics INTERNATIONAL MEET (Bratislava): Men: lOOmi 1, Campboll (GB) 1D.17SQC. 200mi 1, Slovens (Bel) 20.3B. 400m: 1, I Ismail (Oatar) 45.45; 2, LAdoo (GB) 45.57. 1, Niyongabo (Burundi) 4.52.30.

1, Kororia (Ken) 27.30.37. tiom hurdles; 1, Jarrott (GB) 13.24; 2, Jackson (GB) 13.27. 400m hur-dlosi 1, Malclo (Zam) 46.65. steeplechase: 1, Koskai (Ken) B.17.70. High lump! 1.

Leill (Slo) 2.21m. Long jump! 1. Jetlerson (Cuba) 6.30. Shot put: 1, A Bagach (Ukr) 20.64. Women: loom: 1.

Onyall (Nlq) 1I.13SOC; 3. M' Richardson (GB) 11.47. 400m: 1, Campboll (Jam) 51.37. 800ml 1. Vrlnsdo (Surinam) 2.00.62; 4, Mo-dahl (GB) 2.02:03.

High Jump: 1, Kosta-dinova (Bui) 1.98m. Pole vautt: 1, Ry-shich (Gor) 4.12. Triple jump! 1, Kasparkova (Cz) 14.41; 2. A Hansen (GB) 14,21. Javelin: 1, Ovchlnnikova (Rus 62.02.

Baseball AMERICAN: Toronto 5, Chicago 8: Mil-waukeo 7, Minnesota Texas 11, Clovo-land California 1, NV Oakland 6. Boston 2: Seattle 8, Ballimoro 12. NATIONAL! Florida 6, Cincinnati 2: Pittsburgh 6, Houston Montreal 2, San Diego 3 (in 101; Philadelphia 9, Los Angolcs 3: NY 4, San Francisco St Uuis 5, Colorado 6. Hockey WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL! Groat Britain 2, Australia 3. Cycling OIRO D'tTALlAi 1 llh stags (Praia to Ma.

rina dt Massa, 130km): 1, Cipolllni (II) Saeco 2hr 51mm 46soc; 2, Abdoujaparov (Uzb) Rolln: 3, Marlinollo (It) Saeco: 4, 0 Zanatto (II) AKI; 5. Travorsonl (II) Car-rera; 6, Spruch (Pol) Panarla all samo timo. Basketball NBA: Western Conference final! Soaltlo 95, Utah 96 (ot; Soaltlo load sorius 3-2). Ice Hockey NHL: Stanley Cup fins): Eastern Con fereneei Pittsburgh 3, Florida 0 (Pittsburgh load sorlos 3-2). Evening Racing NEWBURY 6.30 (Sf Mydi): 1, RAVEN MASTER, Reld (11-4); 2, Darb Aloki (5-2 lav); 3, Cathedral (5-1).

7 ran. Hd. sh hd. (P Chnpple-Hyam) Toto: C3.10: E1.60, 2.50. Oual C3.30.

CSF: C9.24. TJW (1m 2f yds)l 1, MURAJJA, Pal Eooory (6-1): 2, King's Theatre (7-4 lav): 9, Fire On loe (14-1). 8 ran. Hd, 15. (P Walwyn) Toto: C690; 1.60, 1.20, 2.20.

Dual 5.60. CSF: 15.34. 7.30 (81 Bads): 1, STOPPES BROW, Whitworlh (5-1); 2. Balan Roaa (6-1); 3, Ookisn Pound (13-2). 3-1 lav Leigh Croltor.

8 ran. 1X. 6. (G Moore) Toto: 6.50; 1.00, 2.00, 2.60. Dual 26.20.

CSF: 31.56. Trlraut: 179.11. Pat Rowley GREAT BRITAIN saw a draw with Australia, tile World Cup holders, snatched from them eight seconds from time in the first of their two internationals with the Olympic favourites at Reading last night. Jenny Morris, the Australia captain, cracked in a corner goal to give her side a 3-2 victory. It was a dramatic end to a dramatic game in which Britain proved they can compete with the best in the world.

the Republic gave as good as they got against a Portugal side preparing to face Croatia, Denmark and Turkey in Euro 96. A loth-minute blunder by Cunningham allowed Ditnas to set up Tavares, who was inches away from scoring. And Given, who had thwarted Cadete in the opening moments, again came to Ireland's rescue on the half-hour when he dealt with a 20-yard effort from Santos. But from the goalkeeper's long clearance the debutant David Con 0.00 (Tf Sdyds): 1, DUELLO, Quinn (6-1): Knobblaeneeze (11-2); 3, Dawalib (4-1 lav). 13 ran.

1K. (M Blan-stiard) Tolo: 9.60; 2.60. 2.10. 1.90. Dual 16.00.

Trio: 12.10. CSF: 47.56. Tricast: 192.50. MR: Charlie Sillotl. S.30 dm Sf Syds): 1, SWIFT MAIDEN, Roid (9-I): 2, CD Super Targeting (12-1); 3, Diego (10-1).

100-30 co-lav Asking For Kings, Forast Boy, Honorable Estate. 5 ran 11, 2. (J Neville) Tote: 14.70; 2.60. 2.00, C2.O0. Oual 65.20.

CSF: 92.06. 9.00 (1m Sf Slide)! 1, 0.HANBY BELL, Henry (9-1): 2, Old Irish (13-6 lav): 3, Opera Buff (13-2). 10 ran. X. 2.

(P Hay-ward) Tola: 11.30; 12.00. 1.50, 2.00. Dual 17.10. Trio: 24.50. CSF: 22.59.

Tricast: 04 56. PLACEPOTl 177.70. QUADPOTi 108.50. RIPON 8.4S (Sf): 1. QRAND LAD, Hills (4-5 lav); 2, Van Star 19-1): 3, Divide And Rule (33-1).

12 ran. 3, 8. (R Armstrong) Tote: EZ.OO; 1,20, 2.50, 12.20. Dual 16.50. Trio: 183.40.

CSF: 9.79. 7.15 (iml: 1, SOCIETY GIRL, Dean McKeown (11-1): 2, Lucky Bea (121): 3, Bold Enough (3-1). 13-6 lav Tabriz. 1B ran. Hd.

X. (C Thornton) Tolo: 6.50: E2.50, 3.10. 1.50. Oual 31.10. Trio: 17.90.

CSF: 133.69. NR: The Oddfellow. 7.45 (Of): 1, FIHISTDUUL Fallon (25-1); 2, Power Oame 120-1); 3. The Wad (5-1); 4, Midlsgh HHI Lad (6-1). 11-2 lav lvor'3 Deed.

21 ran. IX. (J O'Neill) Tote: 33.60: 6.10, 4.20. 2.10. Dual 324.70.

Trio: 1,781.00. CSF: E468.56. Tricast: 4.04052. S.1S 1, NINIA, Weaver (1 1-1), 2, Sandmoor Chambray. (7-2); 3, Scara-ben (9-2).

2-1 lav Singapore Sting. ran. 4. 2. Johnslon) Toto: 10.40; 1.60, 1.70, 1.70.

Dual 31.00. CSF: 49.17. Tricasl. 189.37. 0.4S (2m): 1, ZAMHAREER, lona Wands 111-4); 2, Embryonic (3-1); 3, Jalcanto (12-1).

13-8 lav Opaquo. 10 ran. 6, IX. (W Storey) 'Tolo: 4.90; 1.80, 2.10. 2.50.

Dual 25.50. Trio: 43.00. CSF: 28.43. Tricasl: E250.5B. 0.15 (1m 21): 1, ARCTIIO, Hills (4-5 lav); 2, Irish Sea (14-1); 3, Dragon's Back (9-11.

17 ran. 2K. 2X Gosdon) Tote: C2.30; 1.20, 2.50, C2.40. Oual F. 16.90.

Trio: 38.80. CSF: 16.48. PLACEPOTl 545.50. QUADPOTi 76.50. Squash WORLD CUP MIXED TEAM COMPETITION (Kuala Lumpur): Pool At Australia 3, Germany Hong Kong 3, Singapore 0.

Pool NZ 2, Swcdon SA 3, Brazil 0. Fixtures (7.30 unless stated) Soccer TOULON INTERNATIONAL U2 1 TOURNAMENT. Croup Bt England Portugal (8 0). Rugby League ALLIANCE. Bradlord Halifax; Loads Hull KR; Warrington Castloford; Wigan Hull.

First, Dewsbury York; Wldnos Swinton. Bcoondi Huddoraflold Donauter, prominent with a clever cross from the right which just eluded Quinn. Both sides seemed ready to accept a draw, and defeat was harsh for the Republic. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Given (Blackburn); Flaming (Middlesbrough). Ffrelan (Chelsea; Breen, Birmingham, SQmin), Kernaghan (Man City), Cunningham (Wimbledon).

JConna (Blackburn), Townsend (Aston Villa). McLoughlin (Portsmouth), Connolly (Watford. O'Neill, Norwich. 63). Cascarino (Marseille; Ouinn.

Man City, 75), Farrelly (Aston Villa; Savage, Millwall, 60). PORTUGAL! Bala; Santos, Holder, Ocaano (Porfirfo. 6B), Couto, Taverns, Psnelra (S Pinto, h-l). Pinto, Folha, Dimas, Cadote (Secretario. 73).

Refcrae: Ootrucho (Switzerland). led to a try by Cassidy, and thGir misfortunes continued when Connolly charged down Sheridan's kick; that passage of play ended with Offiah scoring in the corner. Paul's try four minutes before the interval owed nothing to the opposition and was vintage Wigan. Sheffield's only respite in this period was a fine try from Lawless, who deceived the Wigan defence with a shimmy and a startling piece of acceleration. He was far and away the Eagles' most impressive player.

From an interval lead of 26-6 there was to be no containing Wigan. The dazzling Smyth scored one long-range try that did not count and another that did; Offiah completed yet another hat-trick and Johnson rounded things off. Wlaani RadHnski; Smyth, Tuigamala, Connolly, Olllah; Robinson, Edwards; Cowio, Hall, O'Connor, Andraw Farroll, Cassidy, Paul. Subatllutesi Murdock, Talupu. Haughlon, Johnson.

Sheffield Eagleai Sovatnbua: Sodo. Stolt, Senior, Garcia; Shoridan, Lawlord; Broadbont, Lawless; MeAUstar, Hay, Anthony Farrell, Turner. Substitutes! Crowthor, Grlmloy, Cook, Yosa. Refereel Presley (Casllelord). Widnes yesterday cancelled the contracts of the long-serving Hulme brothers, David and Paul, after the call- took the club to a Rugby Foot- Dan Lreague triounai.

The Hulmes claimed that Widnes had fallen behind with contract payments, and the RKL upheld their case and contirmea yesterday that they were now tree Charlie Stuart at Lansdowne Road ANTONIO FOLHA's last-minute goal, a speculative and deflected shot from five yards outside the area, completed a bad day for Mick McCarthy, for whom it was a third consecutive defeat as Republic of Ireland manager. But he will have been pleased with his young side and will have high hopes of breaking his duck against Croatia on Sunday. Results Soccer FRIENDLY INTERNATIONALS Northern Ireland (0) 1 Oormany (0) 1 O'Boyle 79 Scholl BO 11,770 Rep of Ireland (0) 26,576 Portugal (O) Folha 90 Austria 1, Cz Rop Estonia 0, Turkey Finland 0. France Holland 2. China Russia 1, UAE Italy 2, Belgium 2.

SPANISH FIRST DIVISION: (Relegation ptay-otf, lirst log). Mallorca 1, Hayo Valle-cano 0. Rugby Union TOUR MATCHt Australia 20. Wales 62. Rugby League STONES SUPER LEAGUE Wfoen (26) SO, Shernetd (S) G.

Wlgan; Trlesi Olllah 3, Cassidy, Connolly, Hall, Johnsun, Paul, Smyth. Ooalst Farrell 7. Shcfflold; Tryi Lawless. Qoall Lawlord (9.I5B). Tennis FRENCH OPEN (Pans) Man: Second roundt Furian (II) bt Sloven (NZ) 6-0.

6-2. 6-4; Tarango (US) bt Squitlarl (Argl 6, 6-4, 6-1 Kafelnikov (Ftus) bl Johansson (Swo) B-2, 7-5, 6-3; Martin (US bt Wilander (Swo) 6-4. 7-6, 6-2; Draper (Aus) bt Schallor (Aut) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1; Courier (US) bt Ftrkl (Cz) 6-3. 6-2. B-2; Clavot (Sp).

bt.A Costa (Spl 6-4. 6-3. 4-6, 7-6; Woodruff (US) hi A' Agassi (US) 4-6. 5-4. 6-7.

6-3. 6-2; Ku. cera (Slo) bl Norman (Swo) 7-6. 6-4. 6-7.

4-6, 6-2; Woodbridae (Aus) bl Phillppoussis (Aus) 3-6. 6-4. 7-6, 7-6: KraJIcek INeth) bt Carboncll (Sp) 6-2, 4-6. 7-6. 6-2; Sampras (US) bl Bru-guora (Sp) 6-3, 5-4, 6-7, 2-G, 6-3; Man tilla (Sp) bt A Cormlja (Sp) 7-6.

6-2. 6-1; Bjorkman (Swo) bt Champion (Fr) 6-7, B-1. 5-4. 6-0: Farrelra (SA) bt Done-del (Cr) 4-6. 7-6.

6-1 7-6: 0 Forgsl (Fr) bl Goosscns (Bel) 6-4. 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-3. Doubles! Selected! First round! Da. wlaT Henman (USGB) bt Barnarda Van Emburnh (SAUS) 0-3, 6-2: KnowlesD Nestor (BahCan) bl Broad Nerval (GBSA) 2-6. 7-6.

6-2: 0 BlackO Conned (ZlmCnn) bt KovosA Richard, son (HunGB) 5-1. 5-4. Women: Second round! Hingis (Swltz) bt Bogorow (Gor) 7-5, 7-5: Pttkowskl (Fr) bt Fober (Bel) 6-2, 7-6; Pierce (Fr) bt Randriantety (Mad) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2; I Splrtea (Rom) bt Farina (It) 4-0 ret; Makaroa (Rus) bt A Fusai (Fr) 6-1, 6-1; Novotna (Cz) bt Shi-Ting Wang (Tal) 6-4, 6-3; RHtner (Ger) bt Jlng-Qian Yl (China) 6-0, 6-3: Seles (US) bt Sawa-matsu (Japan) 7-6, 6-2; A Huber (Gor) bt A Tomesvarl (Hun) 6-3, 5-2, Matoeve (Bui) bl Whlllinaor-Jones (US) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2; Appelmans (Bel) bl Dragomlr (Rem) 6-2, B-2: Oramans (Nelh) bl Bobkova (Cz) 7-6. 6-1; Ukhovtaeira (Rus) bt Sanchez Lorenzo (Sp) B-3, 3-6, 9-7; Habsudova (Slo) bl Tauziat (Fr) 6-2, 4-6, 8-6; A Sanchac Vkjario (Sp) bl Martlnok (Ger) 6-0, 6-1; thuiti-Mo. earth (Nelh) bt A Maurasmo (Fr) 6-4, Paul FKzpatrlck WIGAN put their cross-code challenges with Bath behind them and returned to what they do best at Central Park last night.

The crowd was curiously subdued from the start but attentive as Sheffield produced 10 promising, error-free minutes. Could they keep it up? They could not and all sense of competition had gone by half-time. Wigan's crushing victory took them to within two points of St Helens and they will go to the top on Saturday if they beat as they surely will a depressed Leeds at Headingley. Sheffield, who continue to find now ways of punishing themselves, made a succession of fundamental blunders and Wigan inevitably capitalised in merciless fashion. In the build-up to the opening try Tuigamala gained a lucky rebound.

But later in the move Smyth should have been blocked out. He escaped to give a poor pass, but Connolly picked up the loose ball and left the Eagles' defence flat-footed. Farrell, 21 today, kicked the first of his seven goals. The Eagles then paid the price for faulty tackling technique, O'Connor ducking under Sovatabua's high challenge to send Hall clear. A needless penalty, conceded by Sheffield in their own 099 0991996.