CRL Rd 2 Preview: Keas get title defence started against Tigers
Linwood Keas get their CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership defence underway on Saturday, while Hornby Panthers and Eastern Eagles will also be eager to open their accounts in Round 2 after going down last weekend.
The Keas were forced to cool their heels with the opening-round bye, instead kicking off their campaign against Papanui Tigers this week.
The Tigers made a triumphant return to the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership last weekend, rallying from an eight-point halftime deficit to edge out a highly-regarded Eastern Eagles side 26-24 at Papanui Domain.
Veteran forward Chris Bamford and current Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls star Antonio Lemalu scored Papanui’s second-half tries.
The Panthers have a point to prove after being humbled 44-4 by Riccarton Knights in Round 1 at Crosbie Park.
Hornby’s first home assignment of the season entails an extra edge as it welcomes derby rival Halswell to Leslie Park. The Hornets are coming off a 38-20 win over Greymouth Greyhounds, powering away via five unanswered second-half tries.
Despite missing the finals, the Panthers had the wood on the Hornets in 2025 – winning two of the three westside encounters.
Eastern will strive to get off the mark against Riccarton at Wainoni Park. Klayton Waikato bagged a double in a losing effort for the Eagles in Round 1, while Joel Leka claimed a hat-trick in the Knights’ big win.
The Knights went unbeaten in the clubs’ three 2025 showdowns, earning hard-fought wins on the road and at home either side of a drawn clash.
All three CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership matches kick off at 2.45pm on Saturday, preceded by the corresponding CRL Premier Reserves fixtures at 1pm.
Hornby’s and Halswell’s Premier Reserves sides are both coming off Round 1 wins, while two-time defending Canterbury Cup champion Eastern is also looking to go 2-0 when it hosts a Riccarton side trying to get off the mark. Papanui went down convincingly to Eastern last week and will attempt to bounce back at Linwood.
There’s an eastside derby in CRL Division One, with Linwood hosting Eastern at 1pm; the Keas put 60 points past Shirley last week, while the Eagles drew at Ashburton. The Barbarians host Halswell Hornets (kick-off 1pm).
Northern Bulldogs defeated the Hornets last week and welcome the Hawks to Murphy Park for a 2.45pm kick-off on Saturday.
