Sportsman’s Notebook Universities' Rugby Matches Next Week

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28629, 4 July 1958, Page 5

Sportsman’s Notebook Universities' Rugby Matches Next Week

University Rugby throughout JJew Zealand has at present reached an all-time high, and the six University teams are all leading in their respective competitions. Much interest will centre around the games between Otago and Canterbury Universities and Lincoln and Massey Colleges, to be held at Rugby Park next Wednesday. For many years University A has almost monopolised the senior championship in Dunedin, winning the grade 22 times since 1916. This year it is only second to the University B team which has captured the imagination ol the Dunedin public with its effervescent brand of Rugby. The Otago team will be chosen from both teams. I. Bassett is a speedy centre, and E. Edwards a promising fiveeighths. C. Prain, a New Zealand under 22 representative, is the fourth back to gain representative honours.

The Otago forwards will be lead by M. Irwin, the 1956 All Black. The Otago pack is certain to be strong, but it will be up against stern opposition from the Canterbury eight which will include, M. Dunne, R. Hockley, J. Creighton and M. Allen. The Canterbury University back-line, if at full strength, will also be a strong attacking line. J. Park, D. Davison and J. Pask lose nothing in comparison with the Otago three-quarters and B Molloy, S. Bremner and R. Hoskin are a strong inside combination of proven ability. Lincoln College will have a good

side. P. Gregg and A. Coleman are two promising young backs. D. Ellison, a fast loose forward, was a player who stood out in the Town-Counrty game last week. Massey College which is leading in the Manawatu senior competition, should provide Lincoln with strong opposition. * * *

Billiards Titles The New Zealand amateur billiards and snooker championships will be held in Christchurch on September 1 in the Christchurch R.S.A. rooms. Conducted by the Canterbury Amateur Billiards Association, the billiards will be held in two-hour sessions and the snooker will be three out of five games. The finals will be - five out of seven games. ♦ * * Auckland Tennis Among those expected to play in the first winter tournament for the year to be held by the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association at the Mount Eden courts on July 12 and 19 are the Davis Cup players, J. E. Robson and C. T. Parker, R. A. Wong, the New Zealand junior champion, and J. H. Lockington, runner-up for the national junior title and winner of the Auckland junior championship. A second tournament will be held in the middle of August. Both tournaments will be confined to men’s doubles but will include championship and plate events. * * * Soccer Tour While he is in England, M. J. Meltzer, manager of the New Zealand Empire Games team, will discuss the possibility of a New Zealand 15 to 17 years soccer side making a visit to England in the future. As a member of the council of the New Zealand Football Association, he will discuss such a tour with leading English Football Association officials.