CRL WHITEHEAD PLUMBING & GAS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP ROUND 3 FEATURES THACKER SHIELD, EAST DERBY AND GREYHOUNDS VISIT
The Thacker Shield goes on the line for the second weekend in a row, unbeaten Greymouth Greyhounds make their first trip over Arthur’s Pass in 2025 and the eastside clubs square off in Round 3 of the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership.
Defending champs Hornby Panthers have made an undefeated start in their bid for a second straight title, winning away at Halswell in Round 1 and hanging onto the Thacker Shield last weekend with a hard-fought home win over Eastern Eagles.
The prize is up for grabs again at Leslie Park on Saturday as Riccarton Knights – who overwhelmed the Eagles in their opening game – regroup from a road-trip loss to Greymouth Greyhounds.
The Knights had the wood on the Panthers in 2024, winning two of their three clashes – including a resounding 38-10 win in the sole encounter at Leslie Park.
The Greyhounds are sailing alongside the Panthers at the top of the Massetti Cup standings after home wins over Linwood Keas and the Knights, but they confront another challenge this week in the form of their first away game of 2025 at Halswell Domain.
The Hornets will be hellbent on chalking up their first win of the season after consecutive losses in blockbusters against the Panthers and Keas. The Hornets won all three matches against the Greyhounds in 2024 – including a 36-20 result at home – but the Greyhounds went close in the last encounter, ultimately losing 14-10 at Papanui Domain.
Meanwhile, there’s a highly anticipated meeting between neighbouring clubs Linwood and Eastern at Linwood Park. The Eagles are striving to open their account for 2025 and will be buoyed by their gallant efforts at Leslie Park last week, while the Keas have their tails up after gaining 2024 prelim final revenge on the Hornets.
Last season the rivalry was fought on a knife’s edge: the Keas won 16-14 at Linwood Park in Round 1, the teams drew 24-all at Wainoni mid-season, and the Eagles pulled off a 16-10 victory at home late in the campaign.
The corresponding CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup clashes all kick off at the same venues at 1pm, including the showdown between Linwood – the only team with two wins from two outings – and defending champs Eastern. Papanui Tigers head to Leslie Park to take on Hornby.
In CRL Division One, there’s a top-of-the-table encounter between Eastern Eagles and Shirley Hawks at Wainoni Park, unbeaten Celebration Lions host Addington Magpies at Cuthberts Green, winless outfits Halswell Hornets and Northern Bulldogs lock horns at Halswell Domain, and Riccarton Knights head to Coronation Park searching for their first victory against Burnham Chevaliers.
All Div One games kick off at 1pm.
CRL ROUND 2 CLUB WRAP: GREYHOUNDS AND PANTHERS GO 2-0, KEAS ON THE BOARD
2025 CRL WHITEHEAD PLUMBING AND GAS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 3 SCHEDULE (2.45pm kick-offs)
Halswell Hornets v Greymouth Greyhounds @ Halswell Domain
Hornby Panthers v Riccarton Knights @ Leslie Park
Linwood Keas v Eastern Eagles @ Linwood Park
2025 CRL ISC SPORTS CANTERBURY CUP PREMIER RESERVES – ROUND 3 SCHEDULE (1pm kick-offs)
Halswell Hornets v Greymouth Greyhounds @ Halswell Domain
Hornby Panthers v Papanui Tigers @ Leslie Park
Linwood Keas v Eastern Eagles @ Linwood Park
2025 CRL DIVISION ONE – ROUND 3 SCHEDULE (1pm kick-offs)
Eastern Eagles v Shirley Hawks @ Wainoni Park
Halswell Hornets v Northern Bulldogs @ Halswell Domain
Celebration Lions v Addington Magpies @ Cuthberts Green
Burnham Chevaliers v Riccarton Knights @ Coronation Park
