LINWOOD’S CHANCE TO LEAD TABLE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31083, 11 June 1966, Page 19

LINWOOD’S CHANCE TO LEAD TABLE

The tangled web of the senior Rugby competition could resolve itself, at least in part, when the ninth round of the championship is played today.

Of the five leading teams only Linwood, which is matched against the lowly Marist at Denton Oval, can expect a relatively easy game.

This could give Linwood a clear lead of one point for its closest rivals have some difficult matches.

Christchurch, which shares the leadership with Linwood on 6J points, will have to make full use of its talented backs to overcome University B. Led by C. R. Hockley, University B has surprised some of its most ardent supporters this season. This is a splendid opportunity for it to regain some ground lost in previous games, and a win would put it in second place behind Linwood. The match between Lincoln College and Albion should be

just as close for much depends on the outcome. Lincoln College has emerged as a possible contender for the championship and its win over New Brighton last Saturday was particularly encouraging. If it can reach the same stand-

ard today Albion will have a hard time.

However, Albion has considerable incentive to win this game. For years it has been an “also ran” and now it is in a position to challenge the leaders. If it can beat Lincoln College, it could find itself in third position after the round. High School Old Boys should be at least the equal of Suburbs, University A should beat Merivale-Papanui; the Shirley and New Brighton encounter will be close and Sydenham is likely to beat Belfast, narrowly.