Calculator needed to split league clubs
By
JOHN COFFEY
An astute calculator salesman would probably find a ready market at the Eastern Suburbs, Marist-Western Suburbs and Sydenham rugby league clubs as one of the most exciting of all Canterbury premierships nears its completion. If results over the last three rounds adhere to present positions on 1 the points table the three clubs will finish in an unprecedented three-way tie for the Massetti Cup. -I' The cup has. been shared on only three occasions since inter-club rugby'league began in Christchurch in 1913, but never by ! more than two teams. Eastern, which is actually two points behind its rivals
but has a game in hand, holds a decided advantage with.its points percentage of 178. However, careful computation is needed to split Marist and Sydenham. By dividing the 184 points that Marist has conceded into the 244 that it has accumulated, a percentage of 132 results; ironically, Sydenham (223 . against,. 293 for) has a slightly superior points differential (70 as against 60), but its - percentage is 131. On that, basis Marist would be included' in the major semi-final, leaving Sydenham with a tougher task to reach the grand final. All three clubs have at least one hard (match ahead of them, particularly now that Addington and Papanui are locked in such a tight
tussle for the fourth semifinal position. Sydenham meets Papanui on Sunday, has an easier matching with Hornby the next week-end, and sits out the bye in the final round. Marist is opposed by the vastly-improved Halswell, has its bye, and then lines up against Addington. Eastern’s biggest hurdle, Linwood, precedes fixtures with Halswell and Hornby. The emphasis, then, will not just be on achieving wins, but also by decisive margins. Only a' big upset would prevent Eastern from qualifying in the top spot, and Marist and Sydenham face a hectic ;' scramble to avoid having to survive both the minor semi-final, and preliminary final to reach the grand final on August 31. '
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800723.2.180
Bibliographic details
Press, 23 July 1980, Page 46
Word Count
331Calculator needed to split league clubs Press, 23 July 1980, Page 46
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in