WEEK-END PREVIEW Christchurch Will Have To Earn Points

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 10

WEEK-END PREVIEW Christchurch Will Have To Earn Points

Christchurch, equal second in the senior competition with University B, could face a harder test than expected when it plays Lincoln College at Lancaster Park today.

Since its heavy defeat by New Brighton in the first round, Lincoln College has not only shown improvement but also a greater awareness of the harsher demands of senior Rugby.

The Lincoln College forwards perhaps could have an edge on Christchurch in the tight but Christchurch is expert at converting a game quickly into loose running Rugby. With its great mobility in the forwards and speedier backs it should win. The absence of D. C. Elvidge and W. J. Thompson from the college team makes its task even harder, but Lincoln College will be determined on defence and will

make Christchurch earn its points. On a dry ground University B might have too much speed for New Brighton, but New Brighton in its recent matches has used its backs more. If not very skilful, they are very sound on defence, and hard runners

when the play is loose. The loss of three players to the New Zealand Universities’ team should not endanger University A’s unbeaten record when it plays Shirley, but Albion, which has lost only one game, could find the youthful Suburbs team a difficult opponent.