CRL ROUND 3 CLUB WRAP: KNIGHTS EDGE OUT CHAMPS, HORNETS OFF THE MARK
There’s a four-way tie at the top of the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership after three rounds, with Riccarton Knights pulling off another Leslie Park upset, Halswell Hornets opening their 2025 account in a thriller and Linwood Keas running away with the eastside derby.
The Knights bounced back from last week’s loss in Greymouth with a gritty 16-14 victory over previously undefeated defending premiers Hornby Panthers.
Riccarton built a 12-8 halftime lead through tries to Nikau Waikato and Tehapi Taukiri, then pulled further ahead after a long break between scoring when Sidney Tagicakibau went over. Jaedon Wellington’s try gave Hornby a late sniff but the visitors held on for their third straight win against the Panthers, having also won in enemy territory 38-10 last season.
Following tough losses to the Panthers and Keas, 2024 grand finalists Halswell Hornets struck late to ease some pressure with a nail-biting 32-28 home win over Greymouth Greyhounds.
The Hornets looked comfortable at 14-4 up at halftime, before the Greyhounds – riding high after chalking up two wins at home and making their first trip to Christchurch this season – ran in the first three tries of the second stanza to hit the front 22-14.
The lead changed hands three more times before the end of a frantic second half, with veteran centre Nick Evans’ late double turning the Hornets’ four-point deficit into a valuable victory.
The run of neighbourly cliffhangers between Linwood and Eastern was interrupted by an attacking masterclass from the Keas, who carved out a 60-0 win over the Eagles at Linwood Park.
Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls captain Danny Latu, playing in the centres, grabbed a hat-trick, while lock Thomas Irving dotted down twice.
The CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup Round 3 action emphatically favoured the home teams: the Hornets overran the Greyhounds 38-6; the Panthers powered past Papanui Tigers 40-20; and the 3-0 Keas kept their competition lead with a 30-18 win over 2024 winners the Eagles.
In CRL Division One, Celebration Lions took sole possession of top spot on the ladder via a 26-8 defeat of Addington Magpies, with fellow unbeaten teams Eastern Eagles and Shirley Hawks playing out a 24-all draw.
Meanwhile, defending champs Northern Bulldogs got off the mark in 2025 courtesy of a 26-16 away win over Halswell Hornets.
2025 CRL WHITEHEAD PLUMBING AND GAS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 3 RESULTS
Halswell Hornets 32 (Nick Evans 2, Ken Tofilau, Reupena Fialele, Iraia De Goldi, Tahemaka Nui tries; Jacob Nyman 4 goals) Greymouth Greyhounds 28 (Peter Te Rakau, Jordan Duggan, Henry Gibson, Keith Black, Brogan Jackson tries; Aston Wilson 4 goals) @ Halswell Domain
Riccarton Knights 16 (Nikau Waikato, Tehapi Taukiri, Sidney Tagicakibau tries; Jimmy Rangiawha 2 goals) defeated Hornby Panthers 14 (Carlos Heather, Jordan Kamana, Jaedon Wellington tries; Jacob Hayward goal) @ Leslie Park
Linwood Keas 60 (Danny Sameula-Latu 3, Thomas Irving 2, Julius Mumuta, Maoluma Sakaria, Alofa Faaiva, Thomas Ruwhiu, Sione Uasi, Tyrell Kakoi tries; Daniel Hartley 4, Ketesemane Pouli 3, George Faaiva goals) defeated Eastern Eagles 0 @ Linwood Park
2025 CRL ISC SPORTS CANTERBURY CUP PREMIER RESERVES – ROUND 3 RESULTS
Halswell Hornets 38-6 Greymouth Greyhounds @ Halswell Domain
Hornby Panthers 40-20 Papanui Tigers @ Leslie Park
Linwood Keas 30-18 Eastern Eagles @ Linwood Park
2025 CRL DIVISION ONE – ROUND 3 RESULTS
Eastern Eagles 24-24 Shirley Hawks @ Wainoni Park
Halswell Hornets 16-26 Northern Bulldogs @ Halswell Domain
Celebration Lions 26-8 Addington Magpies @ Cuthberts Green
