History against Lincoln College completing tough rugby double

Press, 17 July 1981, Page 20

History against Lincoln College completing tough rugby double

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

By its clear-cut win in the first round C.S.B. Cup series. Lincoln College has already gone a long way towards proving itself the best senior rugby side in Christchurch this year. However, rightly or wrongly, it is the C.S.B. Trophy winner which gets to wear the champion’s crown and history is definitely against Lincoln College completing the double. It has, in fact, never been done in the five years that the present system has operated, although New Brighton went close last year, winning the cup and losing the trophy final to University A. 10-11. The chief Lincoln College coach, Roger Lough, commented yesterday that the biggest task he arid his coaching partner, Jim Stewart. had was getting the team mentally prepared for what were going to be three hard games in succession. The final, if reached, would be a fourth.

In the first C.S.B. Trophy round tomorrow Lincoln College meets Christchurch and the other two teams in its section are Belfast and High School Old Boys.

Last Saturday, in the final C.S.B. Cup round, Belfast beat Lincoln College and although there was little at stake for the College team — it already had the Cup won — Mr Lough said he was most impressed by Belfast’s performance, “AlLthree games are going to be hard; but Belfast might be the hardest. They could have struck form at the right time, although the loss last week will give us added reason for wanting to win this game,” said Mr Lough. Already Mr Lough, who is in his first season with the senior side, and Dr Stewart have won, much praise for their efforts with a team which would be one of the youngest; if not the youngest, In the' senior grade. More than half the. side is under 21 and the oldest is 24.

“It is this inexperience which could find us out,” said Mr Lough. “We have not got the core of hardened senior players that the other top sides have. At the same time, though, our players have measured up well enough so far."

Mr Lough was optimistic that his players did have the right attitude to make a bold

bid to complete the double. “Our lesser performances have generally been against the weaker teams and that augurs well for our ability to rise to the occasion."

He said that he needed no reminding that the CupTrophy double had yet to be achieved. However, Lincoln College has already completed one unprecedented double this winter — the C. 5.8.. Cup and “The Press" Centennial Trophy (for conduct and attitude in the Cup round).

The side has suffered one setback. Its very able No. 8. Don Gillanders, who also happens to be one of the side’s most experienced footballers. has a broken jaw and is unlikely to play again this winter, although Gillanders, himself, does not totally subscribe to this view.

Tomorrow's C.S.B. Trophy matches, with first round results, are —

Lincoln College v Christchurch (Lincoln College, 2710); Belfast v High School Old Boys (Old Boys, 15-8); New Brighton v Marist (New Brighton. 18-4); University A v Linwood (Linwood, 9-6).