CRL MASSETTI CUP ROUND 5 WRAP
Linwood Keas and Hornby Panthers, grand final combatants in each of the past two seasons, have broken away from the field after five rounds of the 2018 CRL Massetti Cup.
The Keas scored a hard-fought 14-6 win over Northern Bulldogs at Murphy Park. The defending champs led 8-0 at halftime before each side added a second-half try.
The Keas remain the only unbeaten team in the competition, while another stoic effort from the third-placed Bulldogs against top opposition solidified their claims as a finals contender.
Northern Bulldogs v Linwood Keas. Photo Credit: Dai Roberts
Meanwhile, the Panthers flexed their muscles and put the full extent of their attacking firepower on display for the first time in 2018, celebrating the club’s inaugural Women In League Day with a comprehensive 50-22 defeat of Celebration Lions at Leslie Park.
Charlie Charlie blazed over for a hat-trick as Hornby turned a 24-6 halftime scoreline into a 28-point victory – the Panthers’ fourth in succession.
Hornby Panthers v Celebration Lions. Photo Credit: Jo Tomlinson
Halswell Hornets continued their resurgence with a third straight win, downing Aranui Eagles 36-22 at Wainoni Park.
Last on the ladder in each of the past two seasons, the Hornets have now climbed to a share of third place with a 3-2 record.
Halswell wingers Nathan Chai and Nick Evans both notched first-half doubles as the visitors surged to a healthy lead and held off an Eagles fight-back in the second stanza.
Papanui Tigers overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to edge out Riccarton Knights 22-20 in a Crosbie Park thriller.
The home side led 16-8 at the break but the Tigers came home with a wet sail to arrest a three-game losing streak. The result moved the black-and-golds to outright fifth on the ladder, with the Knights, Lions and Eagles all tied for sixth with 1-4 records.
CRL MASSETTI CUP STANDINGS: Linwood 10, Hornby 8, Northern 6, Halswell 6, Papanui 4, Riccarton 2, Celebration 2, Aranui 2.
CRL MASSETTI CUP RD 5
????Linwood 14-6 Northern
????Papanui 22-20 Riccarton
????Hornby 50-22 Celebration
????Halswell 36-22 Aranui
CRL CANTERBURY CUP RD 6
????Linwood 30-16 Shirley
????Halswell 26-22 Aranui
????Riccarton 36-26 Papanui
????Hornby 37-34 Celebration
CRL DIVISION ONE RD 6
????Marist Gold 28-18 Hornby
????Ashburton 48-22 Celebration
????Burnham 24-16 Marist Green
????Woolston 80-18 Addington
CLICK HERE FOR MORE RESULTS, STANDINGS AND STATS
