Key Players To Miss Top Game

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31669, 3 May 1968, Page 13

Key Players To Miss Top Game

It is unfortunate that Suburbs and Shirley—two of the three teams that have won their opening two games—will be without leading players for their match in the third round of the senior Rugby competition tomorrow.

Suburbs has lost L. J. Davis and W. D. Cottrell, and although Shirley has C. R. Laidlaw absent. Suburbs may be justified in thinking that even Laidlaw does not equal an All Black second five-eighths and an All Black emergency halfback.

Shirley has an adequate replacement for Laidlaw in R. M. Gearey, but Suburbs may find it difficult to fill the gaps left by Davis and Cottrell. The better all-round strength of Shirley should bring it its third win and confirm its favouritism for the championship this year. New Brighton played so well against Christchurch last Saturday that it will only have to repeat that form to beat University A. University has a good pack, which is particularly adept at nicking, but it does not impress as quite as solid as New Brighton. The absence of W. F. McCormick is a severe blow to Linwood, which needs a good win to settle the team. Linwood is too pugnacious a side to be dismissed lightly, but Lincoln College, on its form so far, should win. Albion and High School Old Boys should provide an entertaining gam* at Rugby Park. The Albion pack is sound and the lively backs make full u-e of possession gained. Old Boys have not sufficient for-

ward strength to allow their backs free rein, and th* absence of some of their regular backs will make their task doubly difficult. Merivale-Papanui is a vastly improved side this season and it should beat Christchurch, which has not been very Impressive this season and also will be without B. A. Watt.