An inspired victory in the two-mile relay carried the Harvard women's indoor track and field team to a surprisingly tough 52-48 triumph over a scrappy Yale team yesterday in New Haven.

Led by captain Sarah Linsley and runner Sherri Roberts, Harvard over-whelmed Yale by 30 seconds and overcame a slim 48-47 lead which Yale had gained in the one-mile relay.

Running their first indoor dual meet ever, Yale stuck close to the Crimson by dominating the short distance events and holding their own in the middle distances, as they placed first and second in both the 60 and 300 yard dashes.

However, strong showings by the Crimson harriers in the long-distance and field events clinched the meet. Betsy Adams and Lisa Burris finished first and second in the shot put while co-captains Linsley and Sarah Robinson cleaned up in the mile run.

The victory caps a strong 5-1 regular season and sends the Harvard women into next week's Eastern finals, to be held in Soldiers Field Track Hall, with high hopes.