CRL 2022 – ROUND 10 WRAP
The Massetti Cup’s top four teams all chalked up Round 10 victories on Saturday, leaving Hornby Panthers and Riccarton Knights with plenty of work to do to force their way into the CRL Bartercard Men’s Premiership playoffs with four weeks of the regular season remaining.
A late surge from Eastern delivered another blow to Hornby’s title defence, with the Eagles overturning an eight-point second-half deficit to win 46-28.
The Panthers took the ascendancy 28-20 with tries either side of halftime, but the third-placed Eagles posted five unanswered tries to run out comfortable winners and mark their Club Day at Wainoni Park in style.
Halswell Hornets, meanwhile, celebrated their Legends Day and the unveiling of new clubrooms with a 36-0 victory over Riccarton Knights, consolidating second place in the process.
Second-rower Josh Everett’s tryscoring spree continued, crossing three times to take his tally to nine in the Hornets’ past three matches. Long-serving centre Ken Tofilau bagged a try in each half.
The comprehensive result left the Knights sitting alongside the Panthers with a 4-6 record.
Northern Bulldogs overcame a slow start against Celebration Lions to build a four-point buffer in fourth spot, prevailing 36-18 at Murphy Park.
The Lions stormed out of the blocks with three tries to lead 14-0 after 17 minutes. But the Bulldogs regrouped to score eight of the last nine tries – including a second-half hat-trick to halfback Taniela Leka.
Massetti Cup frontrunners Linwood Keas made it a perfect 10-from-10 with a 66-0 defeat of Papanui Tigers. Mika Moemalo Ulu cashed in with a five-try haul, while Matthew Molioo and Michael Fili both picked up a double.
The next fortnight shapes as being especially decisive in the race for the finals. The Panthers will expect to take the two points when they host the Lions in Round 11, while the Bulldogs face a tough home assignment against the Hornets. The Panthers and Bulldogs then lock horns in a crunch game at Leslie Park in Round 12.
The Knights will look to stay in the top-four mix as they eye off clashes with the Tigers and Eagles over the next two Saturdays.
CRL 2022 BARTERCARD MEN’S PREMIERSHIP ROUND 10
Halswell Hornets 36 (Josh Everett 3, Ken Tofilau 2, Toi Sepuloni tries; Jamie Nuttridge 6 goals) defeated Riccarton Knights 0 at Halswell Domain
Eastern Eagles 46 (Josh Afamasaga, Cameron Tukapua, Jimmy-John Rangiawha, Mesiah Ngatuere, Walter Huata, Uale Peneli, Cyrus Timo-Latu, Pio Ioane tries; Rangiawha 7 goals) defeated Hornby Panthers 28 (Corey Lawrie, Denis Davey, Allan Gillies, Eti Collins, Christian Fetu tries; Caleb Murphy 3, Charlie Charlie goals) at Wainoni Park
Linwood Keas 66 (Mika Moemalo Ulu 5, Matthew Molioo 2, Michael Fili 2, Etelani Pouli, Penitito Ilalio, Uriah Tuli, Chanel Feala tries; Daniel Hartley 4, Fili 2, George Faaiva goals) defeated Papanui Tigers 0 at Papanui Domain
Northern Bulldogs 36 (Taniela Leka 3, Riki Koni 2, Hamish Earl, Riley Hurst, Dylan Bates tries; Leka 2 goals) defeated Celebration Lions 18 (Zion Kamana 2, Jordan Wawatai, Rawiri Maniapoto-Pakai tries; Kamana goal) at Murphy Park
CRL 2022 ISC SPORTS CANTERBURY CUP
Top 6
Halswell Hornets 16 defeated Woolston Rams 10 at Halswell Domain
Hornby Panthers 22 defeated Eastern Eagles 16 at Wainoni Park
Linwood Keas 48 defeated Greymouth Greyhounds 22 at Papanui Domain
Bottom 3
Northern Bulldogs 18 defeated Burnham Chevaliers 14 at Murphy Park
CRL 2022 WOMEN’S PREMIERSHP ROUND 6
Linwood Keas 36 defeated Woolston Rams 16 at Linwood Park
Sydenham Swans 68 defeated Eastern Eagles 12 at Wainoni Park
