FINALS FOOTY FIRES UP AFTER FRANTIC REGULAR SEASON FINISH
The Canterbury Rugby League community is still catching its collective breath after an incredible finish to the regular season, but this Saturday’s CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership schedule promises to deliver two pulsating semi-finals.
Despite one of the most even and topsy-turvy Massetti Cup campaigns in recent memory unfolded over the past four months, Linwood Keas and the fast-finishing Hornby Panthers have found themselves in a familiar one-two finish – and another major semi showdown.
The defending champion Keas landed three points clear of the field to reclaim the Massetti Cup spoils as minor premiers. But it was their opponents in seven of the last eight grand finals, the Panthers, who arguably head into post-season as the premiership’s form team.
Following a 32-22 loss to the Keas in mid-May that left them in second-last at the competition’s halfway point, the Panthers won six of their remaining seven games to power into second spot.
Hornby’s spectacular turnaround included a 24-10 statement win over Linwood at Leslie Park just three weeks ago. The Panthers then ensured the Thacker Shield would remain in their clubrooms for the summer with a 26-12 derby win over Halswell Hornets, a match that doubled as the final home game for James Baxendale (who also made his 250th appearance for the club) and long-serving coach Jed Lawrie.
The fine margins between Linwood and Hornby cannot be overstated. The archrivals have produced three of the most memorable grand finals of all time over the past three years – the Panthers scoring a drought-breaking 22-16 triumph in 2021, and the Keas responded with nerve-shredding victories decided in the dying seconds in 2022 (34-30) and 2023 (16-14) – while last year’s major semi finished 21-20 in the Keas’ favour at Leslie Park.
The teams’ initial 2024 encounter produced a 26-all draw in Hornby’s backyard. This weekend Linwood Park plays host to what inevitably another drama-charged barnburner.
Meanwhile, across town at Halswell Domain the Hornets and Riccarton Knights will do battle in the elimination semi-final.
The Hornets finished third only via a last-minute Nick Evans try that ended Eastern Eagles’ brave bid for the finals 22-18 – essentially handing the Knights a lifeline as they were simultaneously going down 20-16 at Linwood.
Riccarton limped into the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership playoffs on a three-match losing streak, which started with a 20-6 defeat at Halswell Domain in Round 12. The Hornets also won the clubs’ Round 2 clash at home 20-6, while their sole encounter at Crosbie Park went 28-22 to the Knights.
But the Knights can parlay their reprieve into a long-awaited shot at a grand final appearance if they can rediscover the confidence and grit that underpinned stirring victories over Linwood and Hornby earlier in the season.
Both semis get underway at 2.45pm on Saturday.
The first week of the finals in the CRL ISC Canterbury Cup features a pair of Round 14 repeats.
Last Saturday Halswell Hornets took out top spot in the Premier Reserves competition with a 20-8 win over Eastern Eagles – and consequently home-ground advantage when the teams meet again in the major semi.
Fourth-placed Papanui Tigers will be trying to channel their 20-10 final-round defeat of Hornby Panthers in Greymouth ahead of the clubs’ elimination semi match-up at Leslie Park.
Both games kick off at 1pm.
There’s plenty at stake in the last round of the CRL Division One competition on Saturday.
Northern Bulldogs already have top spot wrapped up ahead of a home clash with fourth-placed Burnham Chevaliers (1pm), who will be left vulnerable with a loss.
Fifth-placed Papanui Tigers, who host last-placed Halswell Hornets (1pm), are just one point behind the Chevaliers.
Already locked in for a third-place finish, Woolston Rams get the weekend’s footy underway against out-of-contention Addington Magpies on Friday night at Ngā Puna Wai (6.30pm). Shirley Hawks and second-placed Ashburton Barbarians have a final-round bye.
The finishing order in the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership is not quite settled with one round remaining.
In Sunday’s schedule – with all three matches kicking off at 1pm – Sydenham Swans can seal the top seed for the finals with a win over Addington Magpies at Spreydon Domain.
The Swans sit one point clear of the team that beat them in the 2022-23 grand finals, Linwood Keas, who line up in a derby with Eastern Eagles at Wainoni Park.
Burnham Chevaliers, with fourth spot already clinched, host Woolston Rams at Coronation Park, while third-placed Hornby Panthers have the bye.
Image Credit: Mattylouisphotography
