Athletics: MACEY OUT OF GAMES.

Byline: Athletics by CARL MARKHAM

BRITAIN'S top decathlete Dean Macey has pulled out of the Commonwealth Games because of a hamstring injury.

Macey, bronze medallist at the last World Championships and fourth at the Olympics in Sydney two years ago, has been troubled by the injury since the spring and it forced him to cut short his warm weather training in California.

The Essex athlete will also miss the European Championships, which follow just days after the Manchester event, having been left out of the squad earlier this week because of the injury.

Macey has been undergoing regular and intensive treatment which disrupted his preparations, but it has failed to solve the problem.

Last week he tore the muscle again and his coaching team have written him off for the summer.

``The prospect of winning my first senior gold medal in front of my home crowd was a dream for me and one that I knew was in my grasp,'' said Macey, who, on current form, was at least 500 points better than the next best decathlete at the Commonwealth Games.

``It's hard to put into words how disappointed I feel, but I am a professional sportsman and a young one at that.

``There is nothing that I cannot achieve in my career and I've got to deal with this now, get myself sorted and get back on with the job.''

l OLYMPIC and world triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards will compete at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in London next month. Meeting organisers also hope to confirm Swedish sensation Christian Olsson - the man tipped to succeed Edwards as world number one.

Edwards, 36, said: ``It's a hectic season for me this year, but they don't come any bigger than Crystal Palace.''

DEFENDING champions Bangor are counting on their West Indian all-rounder McNeil Morgan recovering from injury to face form team Llandudno in today's Readers Romida North Wales League Premier Division clash at Ty Newydd.

Morgan pulled a hamstring bowling in last week's surprise defeat at Marchwiel-Wrexham but skipper Andy Savage is optimistic about the player's chances.

``McNeil was in the nets on Tuesday and will be OK to bat but his bowling may have to be restricted,'' he said last night.

``I'm not too despondent about that result as circumstances went against us with McNeil's injury and the pitch was wet when we batted, but I'll soon be calling for a big improvement. If we lose any more matches we'll be out of contention because I can't see Hawarden Park slipping up again.''

Savage intends to revise the batting order with Richard Parry, top run-maker in the second XI, coming in to open.

Llandudno, who have climbed rapidly to joint-third place, are looking to complete the double after a 14 runs home win over Bangor earlier in the season. Indian all-rounder Tarique Kahn, leading wicket-taker in the Premier Division with 38 victims, could be the key figure in this intriguing encounter.

Hawarden Park, 28 points clear of secondplaced Bangor, have two good reasons for wanting to topple visitors Mold, having lost to them in the league and the Flintshire Knockout semi-final.

``It's a derby so it adds a bit more spice to the occasion and we don't want them to complete a hat-trick,'' said skipper Mike Scott.

``We've got to keep going out to win every game now and we'll be boosted by the return of opening bowler Jeff Henshaw who has been out for two weeks with a groin injury.''

Mold, lying fifth, will be without wicketkeeper Brian Williams due to holidays so Gareth Evans steps in.

``Brian is the best keeper in North Wales but we think that Gareth is the next best,'' said captain Cliff Wiseman.

Mold will be hoping that Aussie Drew is on song again after his superb 58 not out against Halkyn on his comeback.

``Danny did not even have a practice session prior to the game and it was quite a stunning innings,'' said Wiseman.

``We know we can beat

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SETBACK: Dean Macey