CRL 2024: ROUND 2 CLUB WRAP
Eastern Eagles denied Greymouth Greyhounds their maiden CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership victory in a heart-stopping finish, the grand final rematch produced a high-scoring draw and Halswell Hornets retained the Thacker Shield in an eventful second round of the 2024 Massetti Cup.
A last-minute try snatched a 22-17 result for the Eagles in a Wainoni Park thriller. The Greyhounds scored the only two tries of the first half and – after being reeled in by the hosts – edged 17-16 in front courtesy of a Mac Gibson field goal inside the last 10 minutes.
But Eastern hooker Cyrus Timo-Latu broke the gallant West Coasters’ hearts in the dying seconds, opening the club’s win account for the season following last week’s narrow defeat at Linwood.
Hornby Panthers staged a late rally to salvage a 26-all draw in their showdown with Linwood Keas at Leslie Park.
The Keas crossed for the first two tries of the blockbuster, then fought from 16-8 down to lead by 10 points with three unanswered tries midway through the second half. But Devaun Thompson and Jaedon Wellington scored late tries for the Panthers, with Tyrone Hill’s conversion of the latter levelling up the scores between the perennial grand finalists.
Halswell Hornets sit alone atop the ladder following a 20-4 victory over Riccarton Knights at home. The Hornets opened up a 14-0 lead during the first half and scored the only try of the second stanza, avenging their defeat to the Knights in the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Pre-season Competition final last month and holding onto the Thacker Shield, which they lifted in Greymouth in Round 1.
The Hornets have three straight away games, meaning they won’t put the Thacker Shield up again until the Greyhounds’ visit to Halswell Domain in Round 6.
Riccarton Knights are the only undefeated team in the ISC Canterbury Cup following a 20-4 victory over Halswell Hornets, while defending champions Linwood Keas are the only side yet to register a win after going down 36-12 at Hornby.
Papanui Tigers got off the mark for 2024 with a 42-28 defeat onEastern Eagles.
Northern Bulldogs, Shirley Hawks and Ashburton Barbarians share the Division One competition lead two weeks in after carving out high-scoring wins over Burnham Chevaliers, Addington Magpies and Halswell Hornets, respectively.
CRL WHITEHEAD PLUMBING & GAS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 2 RESULTS
Hornby Panthers 26 (Muipu Nati, Zinzaan Martin, James Withington, Devaun Thompson, Jaedon Wellington tries; Tyrone Hill 3 goals) drew with Linwood Keas 26 (Uili Uili 2 , Sione Lei Uasi, Jaydyn Hoeta, Maoluma Sakaria tries; Daniel Hartley 3 goals) at Leslie Park
Halswell Hornets 20 (Nicholas Evans, Marley Mackie-Coffin, Jope Finau, Keith Darby tries; Cameron-Brody Greig 2 goals) defeated Riccarton Knights 4 (Jamieson Ilalio try) at Halswell Domain
Eastern Eagles 22 (Simon Uliano, Junior Peneli, D’Angelo Siu-Tauti, Cyrus Timo-Latu tries; Timo-Latu 3 goals) defeated Greymouth Greyhounds 17 (Brett Rees, Cognac De St Laurent, Liam Donaldson tries; Jordan Campbell 2 goals; Mac Gibson field goal) at Wainoni Park
CRL ISC CANTERBURBY CUP PREMIER RESERVES – ROUND 2 RESULTS
Hornby Panthers 36 defeated Linwood Keas 12 at Leslie Park
Riccarton Knights 20 defeated Halswell Hornets 4 at Halswell Hornets
Papanui Tigers 42 defeated Eastern Eagles 28 at Wainoni Park
CRL DIVISION ONE – ROUND 2 RESULTS
Shirley Hawks 46 defeated Burnham Chevaliers 10 at Coronation Park
Northern Bulldogs 34 defeated Addington Magpies 12 at Murphy Park
Ashburton Barbarians 32 defeated Halswell Hornets 22 at Halswell Domain
Woolston Rams 38 defeated Papanui Tigers 0 at Woolston Park
