Vital soccer match reached

Press, 26 February 1977, Page 4

Vital soccer match reached

By BARNEY ZWARTZ. The Christchurch finalists of the Air New Zealand soccer tournament should be known after round four of section play tomorrow. Trans Tours United will be one side but the other is far from certain. New Brighton and Rangers meet at English Park in the main match of the local competition. and the winner of this game is virtually certain to win section two. Both sides were expected (to brush aside all other competition, with the result, hinging on this game. This result is still the important one. but Brighton dropped a surprise point to Papanui, so Rangers only has to draw and then beat Rangiora, whom Brighton crushed 10-0 last week. Peter Bennie was injured in that game, and it is thought he is unlikely to play tomorrow, which could be serious for the seasiders. Graham Dacombe will probably drop back to replace him in midfield, but Brighton’s reserve strength is a bit shallow. Rangers have notched nine goals without reply in their two games so far, and are apparently playing with reasonable confidence and fluency. Cashmere plays Rangiora

for the wooden spoon in the other section two match. Cashmere lias done poorly so far. conceding nine goals and scoring none, but it has played its two hardest matIches. Rangiora has scored (two goals and let in 13. Papanui has the bye. United is four points clear at the top of section one. and seemingly secure. Woolston would have to beat it and Nomads by a combined score of 13-0. In fact, United has displayed marvellous form in its [last 120 minutes of play, scoring 10 goals without [reply, and should beat Woolston convincingly. The main interest in this game is that it is the first meeting between former allies. United’s manager (Terry Conley) and his former assistant (Terry Mann), now in charge at Woolston. Technical should move in to second place, ahead of Woolston, when it meets Western, while Shamrock should be too strong for Nomads in the final section one game.

Tennis.—Chris Evert v.on her fourtii tournament in the five she has played this year last week and took the lead in earnings With $V599,100 on the Virginia Slims women’s tennis circuit. Next are Martina Natratilova ($U595,500) and Rosie Casals ($U533,950).