SOCCER TITLE AT STAKE

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 10

SOCCER TITLE AT STAKE

A full-strength Eastern Suburbs team will meet Christchurch United at Newmarket Park today determined to maintain its grip on the $4OOO first prize in the Rothmans National Soccer League.

Suburbs, two points ahead of Blockhouse Bay, four in front of United, know that if they were to lose to the Christchurch club they would probably also surrender the leadership to Blockhouse, which has the superior goal average. United has not had a happy season against Auckland clubs, having lost once to all three in the national league and gained a draw with Blockhouse in a return match. However, in United’s favour is that the club has less to lose today than Suburbs, for if Christchurch is beaten, it will still have the opportunity of clinching third place when it meets another Auckland club, Mount VZellington, under lights at

English Park on the following Saturday. Suburbs’ strength will again lie in its mid-field of P. Rennell, P. Rainer and R. Mears, the craft of G. York on one wing, the striking power of W. de Graaf, and the uncomprising attitude of all its players. In the other national league matches this week-end, with one more round to go, Blockhouse is away to Gisborne City, Mount Wellington is at home to Hungaria, and Western Suburbs and Stop Out meet in Wellington.