CRL 2019 PREVIEW: DETERMINED PANTHERS AIM FOR FOURTH TIME LUCKY

With the most grand final wins in Canterbury Rugby League history – and an incredible nine appearances in the big one since 2005 – the Hornby Panthers’ perennial heavyweight status is assured and well-deserved. But an unavoidable storyline hovers over the club’s 2019 Massetti Cup campaign: Hornby is coming into the season on the back…

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CRL 2019 PREVIEW: KEAS HUNT MORE HISTORY

The Linwood Keas have unequivocally established themselves as one of the most dominant club sides of Canterbury Rugby League’s modern era with three straight grand final wins for the first time since Eastern Suburbs’ (1979-81) trio of triumphs. But they can join the annals of the greatest teams in CRL history this year, with the…

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AWARD-WINNING KNIGHT KEEPS EYES ON THE TEAM PRIZE

Riccarton Knights legend Shane Tamatea carried off Canterbury Rugby League’s highest individual honour at the annual Senior Prize-giving held at Hornby Workingmen’s Club on Friday night, but it’s the desire for another premiership that is set to extend his senior career to two decades. Nevertheless, the 37-year-old was humbled to named the 2018 CRL Sportsperson…

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CRL 2018 SENIOR PRIZE-GIVING – LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

Canterbury Rugby League’s best and brightest were honoured at Hornby Workingmen’s Club on Friday night at the annual CRL Senior Prize-giving. MC’d by Craig Kerr, our night of nights featured stirring addresses from CRL Board Chairperson Simon Doig, CRL CEO Duane Fyfe and Rockcote Canterbury Bulls coach Andrew Auimatagi, while the likes of Frank Endacott…

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BAXENDALE DESPERATE TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME

Hornby Panthers have consecutive grand final losses to atone for when they take on Linwood Keas in the big one for the third straight year at Rugby League Park this Sunday, but captain James Baxendale has a bit extra to make up for after fate conspired to put him 18,000 kilometres away from last year’s…

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HISTORY-CHASING KEAS MAINTAIN THE HUNGER

It could be argued Hornby Panthers have more to play for in Sunday’s CRL men’s premiership grand final after back-to-back losses to Linwood Keas in the 2016-17 deciders. But the Keas, who head into their fourth straight grand final, are adamant they have maintained the requisite hunger to carve out an even more indelible piece…

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MOMENTUM THE GRAND FINAL KEY FOR IN-FORM HORNBY

Linwood Keas may carry the psychological edge into Sunday’s grand final at Rugby League Park, but Hornby Panthers could hardly have done more in the past fortnight to indicate they are capable of reversing the results of the 2016-17 deciders. Landing third after a patchy, injury-hampered regular season, Hornby despatched Halswell Hornets 50-6 in a…

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PANTHERS DIG DEEP TO DOWN DOGS IN EPIC PRELIM FINAL

Hornby Panthers secured a third straight CRL men’s premiership grand final showdown against Linwood Keas with a 16-6 victory over a gallant Northern Bulldogs in Saturday’s gruelling preliminary final. Kaiapoi’s Murphy Park heaved with one of the biggest crowds seen at club game in years, but the visiting Panthers absorbed a mountain of goal-line pressure…

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