Christchurch Held To Draw; Competition Lead Narrowed

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31060, 16 May 1966, Page 15

Christchurch Held To Draw; Competition Lead Narrowed

The senior Rugby competition assumed a more even aspect on Saturday when the unbeaten Christchurch side was held to a draw by one of the bottom teams, Sydenham.

Christchurch now leads the competition by only half a point from University B, Linwood, Albion and New Brighton, all of which won their matches on Saturday.

University A continued its fall from grace by losing to New Brighton and High School Old Boys, a side which started the season splendidly, was beaten for the third successive week, this time by University B.

Linwood beat Lincoln College in the main game at Lancaster Park south on the strength of its defence. At Denton Oval, Belfast scored its first win, beating MerivalePapanui by a margin of two points.

The previous week the senior teams relied more on penalty goals than tries to win games; this trend was followed on Saturday when pen-

alty goals outnumbered tries by 19 to 16. Results were;— New Brighton 11, University A 3. Linwood 11, Lincoln College 8. Albion 8, Shirley 6. University B 12, High School Old Boys 9. Belfast 11, MerivalePapanui 9. Christchurch 9, Sydenham 9. Suburbs 11, Marist 0. Points are:—

W L D F P Chch 4 — 1 107 48 4} Univ. B 4 1 — 70 53 4 Linwood .. 4 1 — 65 38 4 Albion 4 1 — 62 47 4 N. Bright. 4 1 — 81 37 4 Line. Coi. 3 •> — 79 65 3 Shirley 3 o — 72 56 3 Suburbs .. . f •» — 65 56 3 Old Boys .. 2 3 — 62 76 2 Belfast 1 4 — 47 91 1 Univ. A 1 4 —— 52 70 1 Meriv.-Pap. 1 4 — 44 64 1 Sydenham —— 4 1 29 68 Marist —— 5 — 14 80