Challenge from Belfast pack

Press, 7 April 1979, Page 60

Challenge from Belfast pack

New Brighton’s comparatively recent reputation as the top senior club rugby team in Christchurch will be [put on the line in the openling round of the C.S.B. Cup (competition this afternoon. | The champion side has [sustained heavy losses of (personnel in the forwards, and this is the area in which New Brighton’s opponent at Rugby Park today, Belfast, is traditionally strong. The admirable hooker, Bob Davison, Jeff Wilkins, Muriray McCoubrey and the [team’s father figure, Kerry Tanner, will all be missing | from the New Brighton pack.

! These are serious losses for a side confronted by forwards headed by Dave Thompson and Bill Bush, and with a Canterbury hooker, Murray Hall, back after a season’s absence.

The resourceful Teddy Davis will have a new part-

ner in Wayne Smith, who has had representative experience as a first fiveeighths in the Waikato, and they are likely to put Belfast’s ball to good use. With Graeme Ellis, Dave Bowick, Wayne Burleigh and the South Island three-quar-ter, Ross Gibson, in its lineup New Brighton boasts considerable scoring potential.

The C.S.B. Cup holder for the first round competition, Christchurch, has two good new forwards, Mike Cron and Jock Hobbs in its team to face a lively Marist side in the early game at Rugbv Park.

Marist, usually a swift starter — it went through the first 10 rounds last winter unbeaten — seems certain to test the well performed red-and-hlacks in a match which will provide a pointer for the outcome of the competition.