CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE 2024: AN UNFORGETTABLE YEAR

By Will Evans | December 12, 2024 |

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on what has been an amazing year for rugby league in Canterbury. On and off the field, from junior to elite level, encompassing community-based initiatives, historic announcements and the return of Test football to our city, it’s hard to recall 12 months quite like it – and…

Read More

CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE 2024 AWARDS

By Will Evans | November 1, 2024 |

The complete list of award winners from Canterbury Rugby League’s 2024 prizegiving, held at the Hornby Club on Friday, November 1. COMPETITION AWARDS Terry Cox Memorial Trophy (18s boys Grand Final winners): Hornby Panthers Presidents Trophy (Presidents 10s winners): Hornby Panthers Kidd-Mitchell Trophy (Division One Grand Final winners): Northern Bulldogs Carol Crozier Trophy (Canterbury Cup Round…

Read More

GREYHOUNDS’ FIRST CRL PREMIERSHIP FORAY LAYS SOLID FOUNDATION

By Will Evans | August 23, 2024 |

After the tightest and most dramatic CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership in recent memory, capped by an epic grand final between old rivals Hornby Panthers and Halswell Hornets, the historic campaign of the team that ran last ranked among the most memorable of the 2024 season. Promoted to Canterbury Rugby League’s top-tier competition…

Read More

FAST-STARTING PANTHERS HOLD OFF HORNETS RALLY TO CLINCH PREMIERSHIP

By Will Evans | August 11, 2024 |

Hornby Panthers have sent their departing trio of club legends – coach Jed Lawrie, and evergreens Corey Lawrie (if  he indeed  hangs up the boots) and James Baxendale – out in fitting style, taking out the Pat Smith Trophy with nerve-shattering 20-18 CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership grand final victory over a gallant…

Read More

HIGH-ACHIEVING FEAVERS LOOKS FORWARD TO SECOND CANTERBURY GF

By Will Evans | August 9, 2024 |

Jack Feavers’ appointment to his second straight CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership grand final comes on the back of recent milestones that reflect his rapid progress in the refereeing ranks. Over the past couple of years Blenheim-based Feavers has racked up thousands upon thousands of kilometres to referee senior Canterbury Rugby League matches…

Read More

CRL PREMIERSHIP DECIDERS: A GRAND HISTORY

By Will Evans | August 9, 2024 |

The Pat Smith Trophy has been Canterbury Rugby League’s ultimate prize for more than half a century, awarded to the winning side in each year’s Grand Final since a playoffs system replaced the first-past-the-post format to decide the premiership in 1967. Sunday’s Men’s Premiership decider between Hornby Panthers and Halswell Hornets on Happy Hire CRL…

Read More

NO ROOM FOR SENTIMENT AS PANTHERS CHASE GRAND FINAL GLORY

By Will Evans | August 8, 2024 |

After his team parlayed a late-season form spike into another grand final opportunity, Hornby Panthers coach Jed Lawrie is determined that his and fellow club legend James Baxendale’s impending departure won’t be a distraction ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Halswell Hornets at Ngā Puna Wai. Lawrie quickly doused any notion of sentimentality being a motivating…

Read More

HORNETS END KEAS’ REIGN IN PRELIMINARY FINAL STUNNER

By Will Evans | August 4, 2024 |

Halswell Hornets have earned their first grand final berth since 2014 – and for the first time in 10 years the Pat Smith Trophy Challenge will not feature Linwood Keas – after an unforgettable CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership preliminary final on Saturday. The third-placed Hornets overcame an early 12-point deficit at Linwood…

Read More

NOW OR NEVER FOR CRL HAPPY HIRE GRAND FINAL DAY HOPEFULS

By Will Evans | August 1, 2024 |

CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day spots are on the line across all four senior grades this weekend, including a CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership blockbuster between Linwood Keas and Halswell Hornets. The Keas, searching for their 10th consecutive premiership grand final appearance, went down 18-12 in a gripping major semi at Linwood…

Read More