CRL 2024: FINALS WEEK 1 WRAP
Hornby Panthers are the first team through to the 2024 CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership grand final courtesy of a gritty victory at Linwood Park, while Halswell Hornets stayed alive with an elimination final defeat of Riccarton Knights.
As Linwood did to them at Leslie Park in last season’s major thriller, the Panthers knocked over the table-topping Keas on the road in an 18-12 result after a scoreless second half.
Hornby struck early through centre Toby Gibson, but the home side responded through Thomas Irving’s try. The Panthers took a commanding 12-point lead as Seamus Stack and Muipu Nati scored in quick succession.
The Keas closed the gap to a converted try before halftime with veteran game-breaker Penitito Ilalio dotting down, but the Panthers booked their eighth grand final appearance in nine years by holding firm in the second-half arm-wrestle.
In another gripping low-scorer, the Hornets held the Knights off 14-8 at Halswell Domain.
The hosts got off to an excellent 10-0 start through tries to Asomau Ausage and Dylan Geddis, but tries either side of halftime to Knights five-eighth Jimmy Rangiawha either side of the break slashed the deficit to just two points.
Second-rower Jope Finau gave the Hornets some breathing space with a four-pointer in the 64th minute, which they maintained until fulltime.
Linwood will host Halswell next Saturday for the right to take on Hornby in the Pat Smith Trophy Challenge at Ngā Puna Wai.
Halswell Hornets won their way through to the CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup grand final via a nerve-shredding 14-12 defeat of Eastern Eagles.
The Eagles led by four in the dying stages, before Sione Kula scored an equaliser for the Hornets and Josh Levien kicked the match-winning conversion.
The Eagles have another life next week, taking on Papanui Tigers, who rolled third-placed 30-28 in an elimination final rollercoaster at Leslie Park.
An early Kaylib Moana double put the Tigers on the front foot, but the Panthers struck back with three unanswered tries to lead 16-10. Isaac Avery then pieced together a hat-trick and Moana completed his treble as the Tigers twice fought from behind to claim victory.
Northern Bulldogs finished four points clear at the top of the CRL Division One table thanks to a 22-14 win over Burnham Chevaliers at Murphy Park in the final round on Saturday.
The Bulldogs will face Papanui Tigers in next week’s semi-finals, after the Tigers thumped Halswell Hornets 54-20 to leapfrog the Chevaliers into fourth spot.
In Friday’s match at Ngā Puna Wai, Woolston Rams outlasted Addington Magpies 24-18. The third-place Rams will head down SH1 to take on Ashburton Barbarians next week.
Sydenham Swans clinched the top seed for the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership via a 62-0 final-round rout of Addington Magpies.
Larah Wright and Theresa MacPherson both grabbed doubles and Kaylee Tavendale booted nine goals during the Swans’ rampant first-half display.
Linwood Keas sealed home-ground advantage for their semi-final next week against Hornby Panthers (who had the final-round bye), finishing second on the table after beating Eastern Eagles 50-10.
Lialanie Muamua scored three tries for the Keas, while Briana Hoeta notched a first-half brace and Hannah Parsons crossed twice in the second stanza.
Fifth-placed Woolston Rams finished the season with a flourish courtesy of a 20-4 defeat of Burnham Chevaliers, who face a daunting semi-final assignment against the Swans next Sunday.
CRL WHITEHEAD PLUMBING & GAS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP – FINALS WEEK 1
Qualifying Final: Hornby Panthers 18 defeated Linwood Keas 12 at Linwood Park
Elimination Final: Halswell Hornets 14 defeated Riccarton Knights 8 at Halswell Domain
CRL ISC SPORTS CANTERBURY CUP – FINALS WEEK 1
Qualifying Final: Halswell Hornets 14 defeated Eastern Eagles 12 at Halswell Domain
Elimination Final: Papanui Tigers 30 defeated Hornby Panthers 28 at Leslie Park
CRL DIVISION ONE – ROUND 15 RESULTS
Woolston Rams 24 defeated Addington Magpies 18 at Ngā Puna Wai
Northern Bulldogs 22 defeated Burnham Chevaliers 14 at Murphy Park
Papanui Tigers 54 defeated Halswell Hornets 20 at Papanui Domain
CRL BARTERCARD WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 10 RESULTS
Sydenham Swans 62 defeated Addington Magpies 0 at Spreydon Domain
Woolston Rams 20 defeated Burnham Chevaliers 4 at Coronation Park
Linwood Keas 50 defeated Eastern Eagles 10 at Wainoni Park
Images credit: Abraham Atherton Photography
