Rugby omens favour Christchurch

Press, 11 August 1979, Page 56

Rugby omens favour Christchurch

By

JOHN BROOKS

The Christchurch Football Club’s most enthusiastic stalwart, Mr Tom George, anticipates another red and black victory in the senior rugby championship grand final at Lancaster Park oval tomorrow afternoon. The omens, he said yesterday, all favour Christchurch to beat High School Old Boys for the C.S.B. Trophy. “It is all falling into place,” he said gleefully. “Since our run of title successes began in 1970 we have not lost to Old Boys on Lancaster Park, and we have always won the final after missing out on first place in the round-robin competition.” Christchurch won the championship six times be-

tween 1970 and 1976, always after failing to win the first round contest. It was run-ner-up four times, third once and fourth once. This season it was third again. It has also lost to Old Boys five times this decade — but always at Rugby Park. And Mr George has another omen to bolster his confidence: Christchurch usually beats Old Boys after rain has fallen during the week. There has been no lack of moisture this week, and in a bid to provide reasonable footing for the finalists, the Canterbury Rugby Union’s competitions committee has switched today’s D.C.L. Shield games from the oval to the south ground. But Old Boys’ supporters

are not unduly worried about past records and coincidences. They argue that their’s is the team for 1979 and recall the unqualified optimism of some club officials when Roily Manning was appointed coach of the seniors. “We will be in the final with this man as coach,” one club member said flatly back in April. Christchurch has the benefit of greater experience — five of its players were in the side which beat Old Boys in the 1972 grand final — and it has a known ability to rise to the occasion in vital play-off games. Mr Gerald Wilson, in his days as coach, always appeared to have the knack of bringing the best out in his side when the chips were down,

and this quality has been inherited by the present coach, Mr Russell Skerrett.

Old Boys, however, have surprised many rugby followers with the vitality of their forward play, as well as living up to their tradition of attacking purposefully through the backs. The team beat Christchurch in the first round, and could have won •— admittedly against the run of play — in the first of the top four matches. Christchurch won on that occasion by four points — the club’s twenty-sixth senior win over Old Boys since rugby was resumed after the Second World War. Old Boys have had 20 wins in this period,

and five games have been drawn. Which side will carry off the trophy? Jerry Rowberry,. the Christchurch captain, who is used to receiving awards on behalf of his side, thinks the outcome will be close.

“Both teams have got a great show,” he said. “I don’t think there is any favourite. Sure, we may have great experience in finals, but the last was three years ago.

“Old Boys is a young side that has progressed steadily this year, and it has no obvious weak spots. It is a pity about the weather this week; there might not be a lot of ball movement.”