CRL Premiers Massetti Cup Rd 6 Wrap
Another round of stunning Canterbury Rugby League results has shaken up the Massetti Cup ladder.
Hornby, Papanui, Linwood and 2017 surprise-packet Celebration are all tied for top spot with four wins and a loss after five outings, while Aranui, Halswell, Northern and Riccarton are in a four-way logjam for fifth with one win and four losses.
The Lions’ resurgence this season continued with a 21-20 upset of the previously unbeaten Panthers at Cuthberts Green. The underdogs led 10-4 at halftime, but the match was headed for a draw until Lions five-eighth Tama Walker snatched a dramatic win with a 40-metre field goal in the dying stages.
The Keas chalked up their fourth straight win with a comprehensive 40-20 victory over the Eagles at Linwood Park. After building a 10-point halftime advantage, there was no repeat of the fadeout that marked the defending premiers’ lucky escape last Saturday against the Hornets, going on with the job to record a seven-tries-to-four win.
Daniel Hartley racked up 20 points for the Keas from two tries and six goals, while David Jakob also bagged a double.
A Joshua Ka hat-trick spearheaded the Tigers’ 38-32 win over the Bulldogs in another high-scoring affair at Murphy Park. Both sides finished with seven tries, but Papanui’s superior goalkicking proved the difference.
The Knights notched their first win of 2017, getting over the Hornets 20-12 at Halswell Domain. The scores were locked 6-all at the break but the visitors made the most of their opportunities to score three tries to one in the second stanza, consigning the Hornets to their fourth straight loss.
CRL MASSETTI CUP ROUND 6 RESULTS
Riccarton Knights 20 (James Tongia, Kolio Varluu, Justin Lynch, Caleb Reweti tries; Jape Tagioakibau 2 goals) d. Halswell Hornets 12 (Jake Skilling, Sam Kelso tries; Jamie Nuttridge 2 goals). Halftime: 6-all.
Celebration Lions 21 (Kasi Leka, Kane Ferris, Jonathan Lima, Javaan Togiaso tries; Taniela Leka, Tama Walker goals; Walker field goal) d. Hornby Panthers 20 (Craig Smith 2, Corey Lawrie, Caleb Tohovaka tries; Karika Tuake 2 goals). Halftime: Celebration 10-4.
Linwood Keas 40 (David Jakob 2, Daniel Hartley 2, Danny Latu, Erwin Sauni, Jiordan Fidow-Kele tries; Hartley 6 goals) d. Aranui Eagles 20 (TJ Jackson, Jesse Rangihuna, Benjamin Houghton, Klayton Waikato tries; Waikato 2 goals). Halftime: Linwood 22-12.
Papanui Tigers 38 (Joshua Ka 3, Mark Walsh, Tanu Suavine, Apelu Tanielu, Cyrus Timo-Latu tries; Izic Placid 4, Timo-Latu goals) d. Northern Bulldogs 32 (John Kaukura 2, Richie Tipelu, Tony Loffhagen, Te Wano Thomas, Pate’r Tou, Nick Wain tries; Thomas 2 goals) Halftime: Papanui 22-16
WILL EVANS – CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE
