CRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 4
Saturday’s CRL grand final rematch double-header at Linwood Park finished one win apiece to the Keas and Panthers. Meanwhile, the Eagles chalked up convincing Round 4 wins in both men’s grades, it was a mixed afternoon for the Hornets and Bulldogs, the Greyhounds celebrated a Thacker Shield triumph on the West Coast, and both 2022 CRL Women’s Premiership grand finalists powered to 2-0 records on Sunday.
Hornby carved out a 32-14 win over Linwood in a replay of last year’s ISC Canterbury Cup decider, but the Keas romped to a 56-16 victory over perennial Pat Smith Trophy Challenge opponents the Panthers.
Both teams went into the Massetti Cup blockbuster unbeaten, but it was largely one-way traffic as the hosts raced to a 38-6 halftime lead. Keas centre Penetito Ilalio, the last-minute hero of the 2022 premiership decider, returned to haunt the Panthers again with a hat-trick of tries, while fullback Jerome Taefu notched a brace.
Eastern Eagles earned an emphatic double over Riccarton Knights at Wainoni Park, prevailing 42-12 in the ISC Canterbury Cup and 44-18 in the Massetti Cup.
Eagles winger Deijdr’e Siaki crossed for a treble in the premiers encounter, while centres Te Rophi Waitokia and Kolone Faalilo both dotted down twice. The home side led 34-8 at the break before the Knights stemmed the flow of points against them in an improved second-half display.
Halswell’s ISC Canterbury Cup team returned home from Ashburton smarting from a 30-12 loss to the Barbarians, who remain undefeated in the second-tier competition, but the Hornets’ premiers team claimed an important 32-4 win over Northern Bulldogs in Kaiapoi.
Each member of the Hornets’ back five scored tries as the visitors led 20-4 at halftime and went on with the job in the second stanza. Earlier at Murphy Park, the Bulldogs’ ISC Canterbury Cup side accounted for Shirley Hawks 34-22.
Greymouth Greyhounds stay atop the ISC Canterbury Cup table with a 4-0 record, but their 24-2 win over Papanui Tigers at hallowed West Coast venue Wingham Park took on extra significance as they gained possession of the famous Thacker Shield.
The Greyhounds will defend the Shield at their next Greymouth-hosted fixture.
In Sunday’s CRL Women’s Premiership Round 2 action, last season’s grand final combatants made big statements: Linwood Keas overwhelmed Eastern Eagles 68-16 and Sydenham Swans were too good for Burnham Chevaliers, winning 46-8.
2023 CRL MEN’S PREMIERHSIP – MASSETTI CUP ROUND 4
Eastern Eagles 44 (Deijdr’e Siaki 3, Te Ropiha Waitokia 2, Kolone Faalilo 2, Harold Kolose tries; Jimmy Ranghiawha 6 goals) defeated Riccarton Knights 18 (Michael Mataafa, Sidney Tagicakibau, Sean Spooner, Jamieson Ilalio tries; Matariki Halbert-Pere goal) at Wainoni Park
Halswell Hornets 32 (Nick Evans, Dylan Geddis, Ken Tofilau, Josh Rawiri, Ollie Hansen, Joshua Aileone tries; Jamie Nuttridge 4 goals) defeated Northern Bulldogs 4 (Taniela Leka try) at Murphy Park
Linwood Keas 56 (Penetito Ilalio 3, Jerome Taefu 2, Mika Moemalu Ulu, Uili Uili, George Faaiva, Sakiusa Lomanikaya, Maoluma Sakaria tries; Daniel Hartley 8 goals) defeated Hornby Panthers 16 (Seamus Stack, Zinzan Martin, Isileli Pulu tries; Caleb Murphy 3 goals) at Linwood Park
2023 CRL MEN’S PREMIER RESERVES – ISC CANTERBURY CUP ROUND 4
Eastern Eagles 42 defeated Riccarton Knights 12 at Wainoni Park
Hornby Panthers 32 defeated Linwood Keas 14 at Linwood Park
Ashburton Barbarians 30 defeated Halswell Hornets 12 at Robilliard Park
Greymouth Greyhounds 24 defeated Papanui Tigers 2 at Wingham Park
Norther Bulldogs 34 defeated Shirley Hawks 22 at Murphy Park
Burnham Chevaliers BYE
2023 CRL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHP – ROUND 2
Linwood Keas 68 defeated Eastern Eagles 16 at Linwood Park
Sydenham Swans 46 defeated Burnham Chevaliers 8 at Bradford Park
Woolston Rams BYE
