Five teams eye rugby final

Press, 7 August 1982, Page 60

Five teams eye rugby final

Five teams will go into the C.S.B. trophy senior rugby games this afternoon with hopes of reaching the grand final of the championship on August 22. One place will go to either New Brighton or University A, both of which are unbeaten in section play. The other three sides with eyes on the final are Shirley, Marist and Burnside. The winner of the round robin competition for the C.S.B. Cup, Christchurch, lost its Chance of capturing the title by dropping the first two matches In section play, but it can still play a role in the outcome if it can beat Burnside, as it did in the cup competition. Points differentials will decide the qualifier in this section if both Burnside and Marist are successful. Marist is six points to the good at present. •

Shirley'S hopes are pinned on a Christchurch win over Burnside. And then, of course, it will have to emulate its first round achievement and beat Marist.

New Brighton beat University A. 12-9, in the first round, and another gripping encounter is likely today as these two powerful sides confront each other at Lancaster park.

New Brighton has a very efficient approach, and the excellence of its loose forwards and the wise, guidance exercised by Graeme Ellis and Wayne Burleigh make it difficult to beat. University comes to the game with a big-scoring reputation, particularly after drubbing Belfast with an eight-try spree last Saturday, but it will be up against perhaps the best defensive screen in the senior grade.

A drawn game would mean that University qualifies, on the strength of its superior points differential. The favourites for the D.C.L. Shield final, Albion and Merivale-Papanui, face their final qualifying test today. Their opponents will be Lincoln College and High School Old Boys, respectively.