Papanui Favoured To Win League Final

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31765, 23 August 1968, Page 15

Papanui Favoured To Win League Final

(By Our Rugby League Reporter)

Papanui’s position as the favourite to win the final of the Canterbury Rugby league major championship against Linwood, at the Show Grounds tomorrow may be an unenviable honour after the series of upsets since the new club system was introduced last season.

In 1967, Addington lost to Hornby in the major semi-final and the grand final after racing away with the minor premiership.

This season, Addington was eliminated by Papanui and Linwood and the latter was defeated by Marist-Western Suburbs.

Having already beaten Linwood twice—ls-12 and 23-15 —Papanui should be confident of winning its first outright premiership since 1959, particularly as it was without its three Kiwis—S. Dunn, J. A. Bond and J. G. Clarke—in the first game, and C. R. Schwass in the second. FOUGHT TO FINISH

On each occasion, however, Linwood severely tested its rival before conceding victory. It held a territorial advantage in the first game and was well in reach of Papanui until J. M. Toki scored three successful tries in the second.

Three factors —goal-kicking, scrum success and the ability to penetrate within the space of four tackles—-may dictate the result. W. P. Noonan has been in outstanding hooking form in recent games and K. R. Blackler will probably not be able to give Papanui as much possession as he did on the last occasion.

G. J. Rosanowski (Linwood) and C. R. Schwass have been consistent kickers this season but Linwood can also call on the ability of Rosanowski and J. G. Hales tq score from field goals when on attack. Botb players have kicked five field goals this season, three more than any other senior player DEFENCE IS VITAL Papanui is expected to make the most clean breaks. Much of Linwood’s success could be attributed to its solid defensive play and fine understanding and only L. Bone, J. Watts and W. Taylor have sufficient speed in the back-line to beat, and out-run, the quick Papanui coverdefence. In comparison, the Papanui wings, M. R. Napier and K Graske and the centres, J. M. Toki, who will be seeking an impressive performance in his last club game in Christchurch, and S. Dunn, have exceptional speed and are generally more experienced than their opponents. In W. J. Godfrey (Linwood) and Clarke, each team has a wily-stand-off half to utilise the backs on attack. R. S. Walker, a loose for ward of great promise, has a long pass that has outflanked, unprepared or bunched defences this season and his running, and that of A. W. Thompson, M. Chap man and K. G. Walker, could give Papanui an advantage in speed and evasiveness in the forwards. MEETING OLD CLUB

The Linwod pack, guided by J. A. Flanagan, has proved most sound but may lack Papanui’s flair. The second row forward,' R. A. Ward, will be playing against his

former club for the first time in senior football since his recent transfer.

The grand final teams are: Papanui: Schwass (captain): Napier, Toki, Dunn, Graske; Clarke, B. Allen: R. Walker; Thompson. Chapman; K. Walker, Blackler, D. J. Alsop.

Linwood: R. K. Haffenden; Watts, Hales, R Auld. Taylor; Godfrey, Bone; E. D. Williams; Ward, B. V Williams: Flanagan (captain). Noonan, Rosanowski. The referee will be Mr P. Yaxley.