CRL MASSETTI CUP ROUND 6 WRAP
Linwood Keas, Hornby Panthers and Northern Bulldogs solidified their top-three standing in a hard-fought Round 6 of Canterbury Rugby League’s Massetti Cup men’s premiership.
The Keas remained unbeaten by accounting for Halswell Hornets 34-24 after agreeing to move their home game to Wainoni Park as part of a double-header to raise funds for former Aranui player La’a Asi.
The two-time premiers stormed out to a 24-6 halftime lead but the fourth-placed Hornets launched an admirable second-half comeback, outscoring the Keas 18 points to 10 after the break.
Meanwhile, the Eagles came desperately close to pulling a spectacular come-from-behind victory against the heavyweight Panthers, eventually falling just short 20-18.
The Panthers seemed on course for a comfortable win when they led by 16 at halftime, winger Charlie Charlie notching a first-half double to take his try tally to five in his past two outings.
But the Eagles scored the only three tries of the second half in a cliff-hanger. Goalkicking proved vital with both teams scoring four tries but the Eagles managing just one conversion. The Panthers have now won five games on the trot – three of them coming by margins of four points or less.
The Bulldogs returned to the winner’s circle via a 28-18 win over Papanui Tigers at Papanui Domain.
Two tries to brilliant hooker Chase Kereama-Williams spearheaded the crucial result for the Bulldogs, who were coming off a gritty 14-6 loss to Linwood in Round 5.
Celebration Lions marked their Club Day in style, romping to a 40-24 defeat of Riccarton Knights at Cuthberts Green.
A nail-biter loomed with the Lions leading just 16-12 at halftime, but the hosts ran away with the win in a dominant second-half performance. Outside backs Rawiri Maniapoto-Pakai and Muipu Nati both bagged doubles for the Lions.
Marist-Western Suburbs also celebrated their Club Day on Saturday, with Marist Gold scoring a 48-6 victory over Marist Green in a Division One derby.
Photo Credit: Dai Roberts
CRL MASSETTI CUP LADDER: Linwood 12, Hornby 10, Northern 8, Halswell 6, Celebration 4, Papanui 4, Aranui 2, Riccarton 2.
CRL MASSETTI CUP RD 6 RESULTS
????Celebration 40-22 Riccarton
????Northern 28-18 Papanui
????Hornby 20-18 Aranui
????Linwood 34-24 Halswell
CRL CANTERBURY CUP RD 7 RESULTS
????Shirley 26-12 Celebration
????Northern 44-0 Papnui
????Hornby 20-14 Aranui
????Linwood 44-18 Halswell
CRL DIVISION ONE RD 7 RESULTS
????Burnham 44-26 Ashburton
????Celebration 36-20 Shirley
????Woolston 68-18 Hornby
????Marist Gold 48-6 Marist Green
