Shirley, Merivale set for rugby battle

Press, 7 August 1981, Page 24

Shirley, Merivale set for rugby battle

Both the Shirley and Meri-vale-Papanui rugby teams are free of injury and fighting fit for their clash in the final of the D.C.L. Shield at Lancaster Park Oval on Saturday.

The match will be the curtain-raiser to the grand final for the C.S.B. Trophy between Lincoln College and Marist.

When Shirley and Meri-vale-Papanui met early in the season, the result was a draw, 13-all, and the Shirley coach (Mr Dennis Young) said that he held the opposition in high regard. He also respected the team’s coach,

Mr John Creighton, who has coached the Merivale team along with a former All Black. Howard Joseph. “I expect a tight forward battle. My greatest hope is that Shirley wins and I would be disappointed if it was not John Creighton's greatest hope that. Merivale would win,” said Mr Young. Merivale-Papanui is defending the D.C.L. Shield and Mr Joseph said that the side was determined that the trophy - should' stay in the club’s cabinet. “But our main aim is to make the top eight next year,” he said. “We have achieved a good

balance among backs and forwards and I've been working on our speedy backs in an endeavour to sharpen the basic skills and especially with passing." Mr Joseph said.

Mr Joseph predicted a close game and said that his team was keyed up. “In the past month we have developed much more confidence and we are also much fitter than earlier in the season. He hinted that the improvements in those areas might be enough to sway the balance in Merivale-Papanui’s favour.