CRL YOUTH WRAP & WEEKEND PREVIEW
YOUTH WRAP – MAY 29-31
Linwood Keas claimed top spot on the 18s boys and 16s boys ladders following some pivotal results in Round 5 of Canterbury Rugby League’s youth night competitions this week.
In Monday’s 18 boys matches at Ngā Puna Wai, Papanui Tigers’ 26-18 victory over Hornby Panthers allowed the Keas – who carved out a 56-6 win against Halswell Hornets – to surge into outright first place.
Linwood Keas’ 16s boys defeated fellow unbeaten rivals Hornby Panthers Black 36-8 at South Hagley Park on Monday in a top-of-the-table clash. Hornby Panthers White accounted for Papanui Tigers 46-18 at Ngā Puna Wai and Celebration Lions overwhelmed Woolston Rams 40-6 at South Hagley Park to stay in a share of third spot.
Wednesday’s 14s boys fixtures saw unbeaten ladder leaders Riccarton Knights beat Papanui Tigers 40-0, while Sydenham Swans retained second spot with a hard-fought 20-10 win over Hornby Panthers and Linwood Keas won a free-flowing contest against Eastern Eagles 48-24.
In the latest instalment of the 14s girls grade’s ‘game of three halves’, Riccarton Knights, Northern Bulldogs and Hornby Panthers played back-to-back-to-back at Ngā Puna Wai’s Athletics Field on Monday night, while Shirley Hawks’, Linwood Keas’, Riccarton Knights’ and Northern Bulldogs’ 16s girls teams squared off at Avonhead Park, and the Keas and Panthers played their second 18s girls match of the season at Avonhead Park.
SEE ALL DRAWS, RESULTS AND STANDINGS HERE
WEEKEND PREVIEW – JUNE 3
The Massetti Cup and CRL Women’s Premiership teams take a rest over King’s Birthday weekend, but there’s still a huge round of ISC Canterbury Cup fixtures and Presidents grade matches on Saturday.
With only two rounds left between the Premier Reserves’ top-six/bottom-five split – with the leading six clubs staying in the ISC Canterbury Cup and the remaining five teams reforming Division One – there’s several crucial encounters on the schedule.
The marquee match-up sees unbeaten competition leaders Greymouth Greyhounds put the Thacker Shield on the line against third-placed, 6-2 Linwood Keas – who could also close the gap on the frontrunners from the West Coast to just one point – at Wingham Park.
Ashburton Barbarians are looking to consolidate second spot (or potentially leapfrog the Greyhounds) when they travel north to take on Burnham Chevaliers. Meanwhile, Hornby Panthers host Northern Bulldogs in a match that would seal their top-six place.
Having played a standalone fixture at Easter to mark Papanui’s centenary celebrations, the Tigers and Halswell Hornets have a break this weekend, while Eastern Eagles have the bye.
SEE ALL DRAWS, RESULTS AND STANDINGS HERE
Photo Credit: Dai Roberts
