CRL ROUND 6 CLUB PREVIEW: WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP GETS UNDERWAY, THACKER SHIELD ON THE LINE AFTER LAST WEEK’S WASHOUT
After last week’s weather bomb forced the postponement of the weekend’s senior football, Canterbury Rugby League’s senior competitions return on Saturday and Sunday – including Round 6 of the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership and the belated start to the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership.
Linwood Keas will put the Thacker Shield on the line at home against Greymouth Greyhounds in the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership, having lifted the prize with a 34-18 win at Riccarton a fortnight ago.
The Keas are also looking to atone for a 20-14 loss to the Greyhounds at Wingham Park in Round 1. After winning their first two games in Greymouth, the Greyhounds are hoping to avoid three straight losses – but they were gallant in defeat on the road against 2024 grand finalists Halswell and Hornby in the last two rounds.
Meanwhile, the second grand final rematch of the season will unfold at Leslie Park. Defending champs Hornby Panthers took the spoils 22-6 at Halswell Domain in Round 1.
Equal-top with the Keas, the Panthers edged the Greyhounds 22-18 in their last outing. The Hornets have recovered from an 0-2 start to win their last two against the Greyhounds (32-28) and Eastern Eagles (24-16).
The bottom-placed Eagles head to Crosbie Park eager to get off the mark for 2025. Riccarton Knights grabbed a 24-12 win when the teams met at Wainoni Park in Round 1 and are currently 2-2, upsetting the Panthers in Round 3 before going down to the Keas.
CRL ROUND 4 CLUB WRAP: KEAS LIFT THACKER SHIELD, GO TOP WITH PANTHERS
All three CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership fixtures kick off at 2.45pm, while the corresponding CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup matches – including Papanui Tigers’ clash with Eastern Eagles – get underway at the same venues at 1pm.
Division One action sees Riccarton Knights host Halswell Hornets, Eastern Eagles welcome Burnham Chevaliers to Wainoni Park, and undefeated teams Shirley Hawks and Celebration Lions face off at Macfarlane Park all at 1pm.
Addington Magpies and Northern Bulldogs lock horns at Spreydon Domain at 1pm.
The CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership commences on Sunday with three 1pm fixtures.
Sydenham Swans get their title defence underway against women’s grade newcomers Shirley Hawks Wahine Kahu Toa at MacFarlane Park.
Hornby Panthers, the 2024 runners-up in their first season back in the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership, start their season with a home clash against Eastern Eagles at Leslie Park, while Woolston Rams host 2022-23 champs Linwood Keas at Woolston Park.
