WINNING TEAMS MEET TODAY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31345, 15 April 1967, Page 15

WINNING TEAMS MEET TODAY

Two of last week’s unbeaten Rugby League teams, Marist and Sydenham, should provide a very close game when they meet in the second round at Sydenham Park today.

Both won their opening games, Hornby beating Linwood, 15-8, and Marist defeating Kaiapoi, 15-11, Hornby’s greatest strength at present is in its backs, where there have been few changes from its last season’s championshipAvinning combination. However, in the forwards there have been quite a few changes and the side’s play in this department was not as convincing last Saturday as it has been in previous seasons.

Marist looks stronger in the forwards rather than the backs but the team will find Hornby’s defence is as sound as ever.

Papanui, without G. Clarke, at scrum-half and K. Bladder as hooker, never looked happy in its match with Addingion. On Saturday, with both players back, the team should provide better play in its match at Papanui Domain against Kaiapoi. Addington and Sydenham meet at Bradford Park, and Addington certainly looks the side to beat for major honours this year: it gave a fine exhibition of the new rules in its match with Papanui last week.

Sydenham will have to do much better in the struggle for possession than Papanui did if it hopes to hold the quick-moving Addington backs.

Linwood meets Christchurch at Linwood Park and will be without its Canterbury representative forward, E. Kereopa,