Massetti Cup
CRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 4
Saturday’s CRL grand final rematch double-header at Linwood Park finished one win apiece to the Keas and Panthers. Meanwhile, the Eagles chalked up convincing Round 4 wins in both men’s grades, it was a mixed afternoon for the Hornets and Bulldogs, the Greyhounds celebrated a Thacker Shield triumph on the West Coast, and both 2022…
Read MoreCRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 3
Convincing wins from unbeaten perennial heavyweights Linwood Keas and Hornby Panthers in Round 3 have set up a blockbuster CRL Men’s Premiership grand final rematch next weekend, while Eastern Eagles opened their Massetti Cup account with a tough win at Kaiapoi. In a Ngā Puna Wai try-fest, the Keas crossed 11 times against Halswell Hornets…
Read MoreFLASHBACK FRIDAY: A TRIO OF PAPANUI-HALSWELL GRAND FINALS
With Papanui’s ISC Canterbury Cup clash against Halswell on Saturday a centrepiece of the Tigers’ centenary celebrations this Easter weekend, Flashback Friday revisits the most eventful period of a keen rivalry between the clubs. Papanui and Halswell are intrinsically linked, playing annually for the Kevin Williams Memorial Trophy, named in honour of the Canterbury fullback…
Read MorePAPANUI TIGERS’ 101 REASONS TO CELEBRATE
Canterbury Rugby League’s club competitions take a break over Easter, which provides a deserving spotlight for Papanui Tigers Rugby League Club to belated celebrate a momentous landmark. In 2022, Papanui became only the sixth CRL club to bring up 100 years in existence – but uncertainty around travel due to COVID saw the club postpone…
Read MoreCRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 2
Perennial Canterbury Rugby League grand finalists Linwood Keas and Hornby Panthers are the only undefeated teams after the opening fortnight of the season, while Halswell Hornets opened their 2023 account with a resounding win in Round 2 of the Massetti Cup. Making their first appearance at home this year, defending champs the Keas carved out…
Read MoreCRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 1
Hornby Panthers and Northern Bulldogs overturned halftime deficits to chalk up season-opening wins, while Linwood Keas grafted out a hard-fought derby victory in a thrilling set of CRL Men’s Premiership Round 1 matches. The Panthers’ 26-20 defeat of Halswell Hornets in the battle of the west featured a monumental comeback, a match-winning hat-trick from a…
Read MoreBIG CHANGES FOR EXCITING 2023 CRL CLUB SEASON
The 2023 Canterbury Rugby League club season is just about upon us – a week earlier than usual – and there’s plenty of changes and exciting initiatives for players, coaches, clubs and their supporters to wrap their heads around. Here’s what you need to know ahead of Saturday’s opening round of matches. MASSETTI CUP Firstly,…
Read MoreKEAS SNATCH TITLE FROM PANTHERS IN STUNNING GF FINISH
Linwood Keas regained Canterbury Rugby League supremacy on Sunday with an epic 34-30 victory over defending champs Hornby Panthers, with Penitito Ilalio etching his name into grand final folklore courtesy of a phenomenal 50-metre solo match-winner in the dying seconds. The Keas reeled in a 12-point halftime deficit to lead 24-18, but the Panthers appeared…
Read MoreUNBEATEN KEAS LAST HURDLE IN RESURGENT PANTHERS’ BACK-TO-BACK BID
Hornby Panthers’ premiership defence has been far from smooth, forced to walk the tightrope for several weeks just to keep their bid for back-to-back Canterbury Rugby League titles alive. But after finding form at the right team of the year with a new-look and rapidly improving line-up, the club finds itself facing Linwood Keas in…
Read MoreCRL 2022 – FINALS WEEK 2
Sitting outside the top four a week out from the playoffs, defending CRL champs Hornby Panthers have surged into their sixth Pat Smith Trophy grand final against archrivals Linwood Keas in seven years. The Panthers carved out a gritty 16-6 Bartercard Men’s Premiership preliminary final defeat of Halswell Hornets on Saturday to keep their bid…
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