CRL 2024: ROUND 9 CLUB WRAP
Linwood Keas have snared the outright lead in the CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men’s Premiership by taking out a top-of-the-table clash in Round 9, while Halswell Hornets and Hornby Panthers also carved out important victories in a seesawing race for finals spots.
The Massetti Cup schedule got underway on Friday night at Ngā Puna Wai with the fast-starting Hornets outlasting Eastern Eagles 24-14.
Halswell led 20-4 at halftime and effectively ensured it would finish the weekend in third place by crossing just after the break. The Eagles added some respectability to the scoreboard by posting the last two tries under the lights of the home of Canterbury Rugby League.
It was a similar story at Linwood Park as the Keas scored the first four tries against the visiting Riccarton Knights – including a double to Sakiusa Lomanikaya.
The Knights rallied with three unanswered tries to close the gap to just two points, but second-rower Jaydyn Hoeta’s try gave the defending premiers breathing space in a 26-18 result.
The Panthers’ resurgence continued with a 42-10 victory at home over Greymouth Greyhounds.
The West Coasters grabbed an early try but conceded the next six – a run started by the ageless Corey Lawrie, while Christian Fetu’s second gave Hornby a commanding 34-4 lead with half an hour to play.
Mac Gibson pulled one pack for the Greyhounds, but the Panthers ran in the last two four-pointers with Champ Betham completing a double.
The CRL ISC Sport Canterbury Cup table tightened up after ladder-leading Eastern Eagles and second-placed Hornby Panthers both suffered Round 9 defeats at home, to Halswell Hornets (24-14) and Papanui Tigers (30-16), respectively.
Meanwhile, Linwood Keas’ bid to qualify for the finals received a significant boost with a 16-14 win over Riccarton Knights.
In Division One, Northern Bulldogs outlasted Ashburton Barbarians 20-18 on the road in a crucial top-four showdown, while theTigers beat Burnham Chevaliers 24-18 and Addington Magpies accounted for the Hornets 30-24.
Sunday’s CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership scheduled delivered Burnham Chevaliers their first loss of 2024, 46-6 at the hands of Hornby Panthers at Coronation Park.
Sydenham Swans put Eastern Eagles to the sword 60-0 at Bradford Park with Manea-Faith Waaka and Kaylee Tavendale both notching hat-tricks.
A strong first-half performance saw Woolston Rams hold off Addington Magpies 24-18 at Spreydon Domain.
CRL WHITEHEAD PLUMBING & GAS MEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 9 RESULTS
Halswell Hornets 24 defeated Eastern Eagles 14 at Ngā Puna Wai
Hornby Panthers 42 defeated Greymouth Greyhounds 10 at Leslie Park
Linwood Keas 26 defeated Riccarton Knights 18 at Linwood Park
CRL ISC SPORT CANTERBURY CUP – ROUND 9 RESULTS
Halswell Hornets 24 defeated Eastern Eagles 14 at Wainoni Park
Papanui Tigers 30 defeated Hornby Panthers 16 at Leslie Park
Linwood Keas 16 defeated Riccarton Knights 14 at Linwood Park
CRL DIVISION ONE – ROUND 9 RESULTS
Papanui Tigers 24 defeated Burnham Chevaliers 18 at Ngā Puna Wai
Northern Bulldogs 20 defeated Ashburton Barbarians 18 at Robilliard Park
Addington Magpies 30 defeated Halswell Hornets 24 at Spreydon Domain
CRL BARTERCARD WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 5 RESULTS
Woolston Rams 24 defeated Addington Magpies 18 at Spreydon Domain
Sydenham Swans 60 defeated Eastern Eagles 0 at Bradford Park
Hornby Panthers 46 defeated Burnham Chevaliers 6 at Coronation Park
Image credit: Abraham Atherton Photography
