CRL CLUB PREVIEW: HORNETS TO DEFEND THACKER SHIELD ON OLD BOYS’ DAY
The temperatures are dropping but the Canterbury Rugby League club season is heating up – and there’s plenty to look forward to on Saturday as Eastern Eagles celebrate their Club Day at Wainoni Park, while Halswell Hornets put the Thacker Shield on the line on Old Boys’ Day.
Just two points separate the top five teams on the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership ladder ahead of the first weekend of repeat showdowns.
Having won the Thacker Shield 46-10 in Greymouth in the opening round, Halswell defend the prize for the second time – having seen off Riccarton’s challenge at home in Round 2.
The Greyhounds get the chance to regain the shield and chalk up a maiden win in the top grade. The premiership newcomers went down 34-8 to the Knights last week after some tight losses in previous weeks.
Meanwhile, the Hornets will be eager to bounce back in front of their Old Boys after consecutive losses to Eastern and Linwood saw them surrender the competition lead.
The Eagles are flying ahead of their Club Day derby against the top-placed Keas, defeating the Hornets (32-10) and Panthers (16-10) in the past fortnight.
The Keas, who downed the Hornets 24-16, won the eastside rivals’ Round 1 encounter 16-14 at home but will be wary of the Wainoni Park factor after falling to the Knights on their Club Day at Crosbie Park two weeks ago.
The Knights are chasing four straight wins when they head to Leslie Park to face the Panthers, who took out the teams’ season-opening clash at Riccarton 26-20.
All three CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership matches kick off at 2.45pm, following the corresponding ISC Canterbury Cup fixtures at the same venues at 1pm..
The Premier Reserves schedule includes the table-topping Eagles getting the senior element of Club Day underway against bottom-placed defending champs the Keas.
In Division One, the Knights make the trek down SH1 to take on Ashburton Barbarians at Robilliard Park (1pm), the Hornets and Papanui Tigers square off at Halswell Domain (1pm) and Addington Magpies host high-flying Woolston Rams at Spreydon Domain (2.30pm).
Head out to Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday afternoon to catch all three CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership matches.
The entire Round 2 docket will unfold at the home of Canterbury Rugby League from 1pm, with Linwood Keas taking on Addington Magpies and Sydenham Swans concurrently facing Hornby Panthers.
Eastern Eagles and Woolston Rams meet in the later game, which kicks off at 2.30pm.
In last week’s opening round, the Swans outlasted the defending champion Keas 32-22 in a thrilling grand final rematch, while the Panthers made a 64-6 statement against the Eagles and the Magpies were humbled 58-6 by Burnham Chevaliers.
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