CRL 2024: ROUND 13 CLUB WRAP
Linwood Keas have wrapped up the Massetti Cup with one match to spare, while the surging Hornby Panthers clinched their place in the finals – but there’s still plenty of drama to unfold in the last round of the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership.
The Keas overwhelmed Greymouth Greyhounds 40-0 at Linwood Park to go three points clear of the field.
The defending champs led 18-0 at halftime and went on with job in the second stanza, halfback Izyah Hesp bagging a hat-trick.
The Panthers marked their Old Boys’ Day – as well as the farewell home game for coach Jed Lawrie and club legend James Baxendale, who was also playing his 250th game for Hornby – with a vital 26-12 win over Halswell Hornets.
The hosts got out to an early lead and were 12-6 in front at the break at Leslie Park, before a rapid-fire double from halfback Jackson Stewart in the opening minutes of the second half put the Panthers right on top.
The result saw Hornby leapfrog Halswell and Riccarton into second spot, and ensures the Panthers can finish no worse than fourth regardless of how next week’s final-round results unfold. Meanwhile, they retained the Thacker Shield in the last defence for 2024.
Eastern Eagles kept their playoffs hopes alive with a 22-18 victory against the Knights at Crosbie Park.
The teams scored four tries apiece and neither side posted more than one unanswered try in succession, but the goalkicking of Uale Peneli proved the difference for the do-or-die Eagles.
Eastern remain in fifth place but is just one point behind Halswell and Riccarton. The Eagles are away to the Hornets in Round 14, while the Knights travel across town to take on the Keas and the Panthers trek over to the West Coast to face the Greyhounds in a frantic climax to the regular season.
The CRL ISC Canterbury Cup finalists are confirmed with Papanui Tigers locking down fourth spot via a 32-30 defeat of fifth-placed defending champs Linwood Keas.
Eastern Eagles and Halswell Hornets will duke it out for top spot next week after defeating last-placed Riccarton Knights (50-14) and former co-leaders Hornby Panthers (32-22), respectively.
With two rounds still left to play in Division One, Northern Bulldogs retained a four-point lead by beating Papanui Tigers 38-24 and third-placed Woolston Rams picked up a crucial 40-16 win over Halswell Hornets. Ashburton Barbarians, who had a bye in Round 13, remain in second.
Shirley Hawks’ crunch 32-26 away win against Addington Magpies saw them stay within a point of fourth-placed Burnham Chevaliers.
A 22-all draw between Hornby Panthers and Sydenham Swans sees the clubs remain in a share of top spot in the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership.
The Swans led a seesawing Leslie Park showdown 12-6 early in the second half, but the Panthers clawed their way back in front at the hour mark. The lead changed hands twice more before Caitlin Sears scored with eight minutes left and slotted the conversion to tie it up.
Linwood Keas, who received two points due to Addington Magpies’ default, are one point back in third, while Woolston Rams stayed afloat in the playoffs race thanks to a 32-8 defeat of Eastern Eagles.
Shade McGregor-Pakau crossed for a hat-trick and Aimee Metuatini a double for the Rams, who sit two points behind fourth-placed Burnham Chevaliers.
But the Rams face a tough assignment against the Swans in next Sunday’s final round, with the Chevaliers taking in the Eagles, and the Keas and Panthers squaring off in a pivotal encounter.
CRL WHITEHEAD PLUMBING & GAS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP – MASSETTI CUP ROUND 13 RESULTS
Hornby Panthers 26 defeated Halswell Hornets 12 at Leslie Park
Linwood Keas 40 defeated Greymouth Greyhounds 0 at Linwood Park
Eastern Eagles 22 defeated Riccarton Knights 18 at Crosbie Park
CRL ISC SPORT CANTERBURY CUP – PREMIER RESERVES ROUND 13 RESULTS
Halswell Hornets 32 defeated Hornby Panthers 22 at Leslie Park
Papanui Tigers 32 defeated Linwood Keas 30 at Linwood Park
Eastern Eagles 50 defeated Riccarton Knights 14 at Crosbie Park
CRL DIVISION ONE – ROUND 13 RESULTS
Woolston Rams 40 defeated Halswell Hornets 16 at Halswell Domain
Northern Bulldogs 38 defeated Papanui Tigers 24 at Murphy Park
Shirley Hawks 32 defeated Addington Magpies 26 at Spreydon Domain
CRL BARTERCARD WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 9 RESULTS
Hornby Panthers 22 drew with Sydenham Swans 22 at Leslie Park
Woolston Rams 32 defeated Eastern Eagles 8 at Woolston Rams
Image credit: @simipetelovisuals
