SENIOR RUGBY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 5

SENIOR RUGBY

top Rugby teams appear to be sorting themselves out after four rounds in the senior competition University, with its wealth of representatives, Christchurch and Linwood have all given notice that they will be difficult to beat and Marist and Old Boys, less experienced and younger, have the ability to finish in the top group. New Brighton, which for many seasons has been lightly regarded, has had three meritorious wins and even its loss to University by 19 points to 6 was something of an achievement In each of its other three games. University scored more than 30 points Strong University is, of course, extraordinarily strong and its forwards appear to be even more formidable than its backs Of the 20 tries scored so far the forwards have scored 16. an outstanding effort indeed. •

It will take a great effort to topple University, and at present two, or three teams only have the ability to do so. University could possibly lose to a team like Techni-cal-Shirley: results like this are not uncommon. But on form Christchurch and Linwood look strong enough to extend the students and Old Boys or Marist, on a good day, could achieve victories. Unfulfilled The promise Merivale showed last season has not been fulfilled. Merivale’s performance last week against Marist was poor indeed, mainly because the backs were completely outplayed. Technical-Shirley, which began, the season badly with two losses is showing a return to the form of last year. There is plenty of talent in the team: the forwards are strong and durable and the backs, although occasionally starved by kicking fiveeighths, are more than competent.