CRL ROUND 11 CLUB PREVIEW: CRL WHITEHEAD PLUMING & GAS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP RIVALS JOSTLE FOR POSITION
The CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership finals race heats up this weekend, with Greymouth Greyhounds and Eastern Eagles striving to stay in contention with upsets over the competition’s top two teams, and third spot on the Massetti Cup ladder going on the line when Riccarton Knights and Hornby Panthers lock horns.
The Panthers powered to a vital 32-12 win over the Greyhounds on Matariki Friday in a catch-up fixture in Greymouth last Friday, finishing with a wet sail after holding a slender four-point lead early in the second half to arrest a three-game losing streak.
But the defending champs face a bogey in the shape of the third-placed Knights, who have chalked up wins over the Panthers at Leslie Park (16-14) and Papanui Domain (28-24) already this season.
Riccarton, though, are coming off back-to-back losses to Linwood and Halswell.
The last-placed Eagles had regrouped with stirring consecutive wins over the Panthers and Hornets, but the momentum stalled in their last game – a 38-18 defeat on the road to the Greyhounds.
This weekend’s home assignment against the competition-leading Keas shapes as must-win. The Keas have a one-win break on the field and have won their last three, including a 28-18 victory over the Panthers after trailing 18-0 at halftime in their most recent outing.
Linwood has dominated this derby so far in 2025, winning 60-0 and 36-6.
Meanwhile, the climax of Halswell Hornets’ Club Day sees their second-placed premiers side host the Greyhounds, who can give their playoffs hopes a massive shot in the arm with their first victory in Christchurch this season.
The Hornets are coming off a 28-24 win at Riccarton in the pre-Matariki round, while they have chalked up a pair of narrow wins over the Greyhounds in 2025: 32-28 at Halswell Domain and 18-14 at Wingham Park.
CRL ROUND 10 CLUB WRAP: KEAS AND HORNETS BREAK CLEAR ON WILD WEEKEND
All three CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership matches kick off at 2.45pm on Saturday, preceded by the corresponding CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup fixtures at 1pm.
Defending champions the Eagles are aiming to leapfrog the Keas into top spot on the Premier Reserves ladder, while Papanui Tigers can edge past the Panthers into fourth with a victory when the teams square off at Crosbie Park.
The CRL Division One schedule sees runaway leaders Celebration Lions host Riccarton Knights, second-placed Shirley Hawks travel to take on Halswell Hornets and Eastern Eagles duel for third spot with defending champions Northern Bulldogs (all 1pm).
Meanwhile, Addington Magpies and Burnham Chevaliers lock horns at Spreydon Domain at 2.45pm.
Sunday’s CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership schedule is headlined by the second grand final rematch of the season between Sydenham Swans and Linwood Keas at 2.30pm.
The Woolston Park triple-header gets underway with a clash between the Rams and Eastern Eagles at 11.30am, while Hornby Panthers and Shirley Hawks square off at 1pm.
