CRL Premiers Massetti Cup Rd 10 Wrap
Linwood Keas have solidified their Canterbury Rugby League premiership credentials with a 26-0 rout of Papanui Tigers in Saturday’s marquee Massetti Cup clash.
The defending champs led 14-0 at halftime at Papanui Domain after running in three tries and added another two in the second stanza, while keeping their own line intact to hold the Tigers scoreless for the second time in 2017.
Hornby Panthers maintained second position on the ladder with a convincing 46-20 win over last-placed Aranui Eagles at Branston Park, scoring eight tries to four. The Panthers led 22-6 at halftime and went on with the job to top 40 points for the fourth time this season.
Celebration Lions rallied after their back-to-back losses to the Keas with a resounding 44-12 victory over Halswell Hornets. The Lions led 18-12 at the break before producing a dominant second-half performance.
Five-eighth Tama Walker starred with an 18-point haul from two tries and five goals, while Muipu Nati and Aukilani Tu’uu also bagged try doubles. The result moved the Lions into outright third spot.
It was a similar story at Murphy Park as Northern Bulldogs turned a tight 12-6 halftime lead over Riccarton Knights into a 44-18 drubbing, marking the Kaiapoi-based club’s 60th anniversary in style.
Faletoese Faletoese and Manu Tipelu both notched two tries each for the Bulldogs, whose fourth straight win has taken them to within just one win of of the top four.
Hornby 46 (Corey Lawrie, Jesse Rogers, James Baxendale, Gene Spooner, Kaleb Tohovaka, Tyrone Arona, Damien Papanui, Tauvale Tauvale tries; Baxendale 7 goals) d. Aranui 20 (Klayton Waikato, Alastair Roberts, Uriah Esau, Feleti Amosa tries; Henare Nukunuku, Mark Tawha goals).
Celebration 44 (Muipu Nati 2, Aukilani Tu’uu 2, Tama Walker 2, Jonathan Lima tries; Walker 5 goals) d. Halswell 12 (Quintin Needham, Cheyne Turahui tries; Jamie Nuttridge 2 goals).
Northern 44 (Faletoese Faletoese 2, Manu Tipela 2, Nick Wain, John Kaukara, Patella Tou, Steve Maat tries; Phil Thomson 6 goals) d. Riccarton 18 (Justin Lynch 2, Jared Quirke tries; Jope Tagicakibau 3 goals).
Linwood 26 (Erwin Sauni, Ben McIvor, Iuma Mulitalo, David Jakob, Joseph Mika tries; Daniel Hartley 3 goals) d. Papanui 0.
POINTS TABLE Linwood 18, Hornby 16, Celebration 14, Papanui 12, Northern 10, Riccarton 4, Halswell 4, Aranui 2.
