Massetti Cup

A pair of showdowns between last season’s top-four finishers set the scene for a thrilling start to the 2022 Bartercard CRL Men’s Premiership on Saturday. Northern Bulldogs pulled off an impressive 16-10 upset of defending champs Hornby Panthers at Murphy Park. A first-half double from winger Matty Clough propelled the Bulldogs to a 10-0 lead…

Hornby Panthers have secured their first Canterbury Rugby League premiership since 2013, ending Linwood Keas’ five-season tenure as Pat Smith Trophy holders with a 22-16 win in a titanic Grand Final struggle at Ngā Puna Wai. The Panthers led for all but the first eight minutes of the match and were in front by 16…

Celebration Lions finished off a vastly-improved 2021 Bartercard NZ CRL Premiership campaign with some silverware, carving out a convincing 30-12 victory over Eastern Eagles to kick off Grand Final Day at Ngā Puna Wai. The Lions always looked in control, keeping the Eagles at arm’s length throughout by scoring the first two tries of each…

Hornby Panthers are unfazed by their semi-final defeat to Linwood Keas – or their recent Grand Final heartache at the hands of their archrivals – as the clubs prepare for yet another Bartercard NZ CRL Men’s Premiership decider on Sunday at Ngā Puna Wai. The Panthers bounced back from a tight, physical 14-10 major semi…

Linwood Keas have broken virtually every Canterbury Rugby League premiership record available during their streak of five straight Grand Final victories. But a high player turnover rate last summer – and the consequent elevation of several youngsters to first grade – ensures lack of motivation won’t be a factor when they face archrivals Hornby Panthers…

The 2021 Canterbury Rugby League Grand Finalists have been decided after a gripping preliminary final weekend. Hornby Panthers will face Linwood Keas in the Bartercard NZ CRL Men’s Premiership decider for the fifth time in six seasons, outlasting Halswell Hornets 22-14 at Leslie Park. Bouncing back from their semi-final defeat to the Keas, the table-topping…

Linwood Keas will contest their seventh straight Grand Final after a gripping victory over Massetti Cup winners Hornby Panthers in the Bartercard NZ CRL Men’s Premiership semi-finals, while Halswell Hornets booked a preliminary final berth by edging Northern Bulldogs in a sudden-death extra-time thriller. The Keas and Panthers – who faced off in four straight…

Hornby Panthers wrapped up the Massetti Cup with a massive pre-finals statement, while Northern Bulldogs edged Celebration Lions for fourth spot in a thrilling finish to the 2021 Bartercard NZ CRL Men’s Premiership regular season.   The Panthers carved out an eye-watering 64-12 demolition of third-placed Halswell Hornets on the eve of the playoffs, sealing…

Hornby Panthers reclaimed top spot on the Massetti Cup ladder, Halswell Hornets fired a warning shot ahead of the finals, Northern Bulldogs put themselves in the top-four box-seat with a clutch win, and Riccarton Knights’ Sean Spooner celebrated his 300th premier grade match in style in an action-packed penultimate round of the Bartercard NZ CRL…

Sean Spooner joins rarefied air in the club rugby league sphere this weekend, making his 300th premier grade appearance in the Canterbury Rugby League competition. The 37-year-old will complete this remarkable achievement less than a year after Shane Tamatea joined the 300 Club – and Spooner shares many qualities with his legendary Riccarton Knights teammate.…