CRL YOUTH WRAP & WEEKEND PREVIEW
YOUTH WRAP – JUNE 26
Linwood Keas have retained the Canterbury Rugby League 18s boys title after a thrilling 38-22 victory over a gallant Hornby Panthers outfit in Monday’s grand final at Ngā Puna Wai.
The round-robin ledger was square between the archrivals heading into the decider – and it was the second-placed Panthers who went into halftime with a 16-10 lead.
But the defending champion Keas rallied after the break, outscoring the Panthers 28-6 in the second half to carve out back-to-back triumphs.
A solid chunk of both line-ups will head down to Oamaru in a fortnight as part of the Canterbury 18s squad in the South Island Boys Youth Tournament.
In 16s boys action on Monday night at Ngā Puna Wai, Linwood Keas stayed unbeaten after seven rounds with a 22-4 win over Celebration Lions, Hornby Panthers Black consolidated second spot with a hard-fought 28-20 win over Hornby Panthers White and Woolston Rams edged out Papanui Tigers 14-10.
The wet weather across the city saw the cancellation of Wednesday’s round of 14s boys matches.
Meanwhile, the Canterbury 18s, 16s and 14s teams are making their way down to Oamaru for Sunday’s South Island Girls Youth Tournament. Follow our teams’ progress via Southern Zone Rugby League’s Facebook livestream and the Sporty livescoring.
South Island Girls Youth Tournament draw👊🏽
Our wāhine take the field for an action packed one-day tournament this…
Posted by Southern Zone Rugby League on Sunday, June 25, 2023
SEE ALL DRAWS, RESULTS AND STANDINGS HERE
WEEKEND PREVIEW – JUNE 30-JULY 2
After last weekend’s inaugural Massetti Cup Magic Round, Ngā Puna Wai is again the place to be as Round 13 of the CRL Men’s Premiership gets underway with the fourth and final 2023 edition of Friday Night Lights – a vital 7pm clash between front-running Linwood Keas and third-placed Halswell Hornets.
In Saturday’s premiership matches – both kicking off at 2.45pm – Riccarton Knights are striving to keep their playoff hopes alive with a home upset of competition co-leaders Hornby Panthers, while Eastern Eagles head to Kaiapoi in an attempt to cement fourth spot against Northern Bulldogs.
As the ISC Canterbury Cup race to finish top of the table and get a shot in the promotion/relegation clash heats up, Ashburton Barbarians’ home clash with Eastern Eagles and Greymouth Greyhounds’ road trip to face Hornby Panthers shape as Saturday’s key fixtures.
Riccarton Knights are aiming to keep Papanui Tigers (who have the bye) honest in Division One when they host the Hornby Div One team.
Sunday’s 1pm CRL Women’s Premiership clashes see Eastern Eagles lock horns with Sydenham Swans and Woolston Rams welcome defending champs Linwood Keas to Woolston Park in a local derby.
SEE ALL DRAWS, RESULTS AND STANDINGS HERE
Photo Credit: Abraham Atherton Photography
