CRL NEWS

Real the latest local league news

Archives

FAST-STARTING PANTHERS HOLD OFF HORNETS RALLY TO CLINCH PREMIERSHIP

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...
Read Article about FAST-STARTING PANTHERS HOLD OFF HORNETS RALLY TO CLINCH PREMIERSHIP

EAGLES HOLD ON FOR CANTERBURY CUP TRIUMPH

Eastern Eagles have outlasted Halswell Hornets in the CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup grand final 14-6. The Eagles scored the only two tries of the second half to subdue the minor premiership-winning Hornets, reversing the clubs' major semi-final result from a fortnight earlier. A frantic opening period featured missed opportunities,...
Read Article about EAGLES HOLD ON FOR CANTERBURY CUP TRIUMPH

SWANS’ SECOND-HALF SURGE SECURES CRL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP

Sydenham Swans buried the disappointment of back-to-back grand final heartbreakers in 2022-23 to claim the CRL Bartercard Women's Premiership with a high-quality 20-12 victory over Hornby Panthers in the decider at Ngā Puna Wai. After a tense, low-scoring opening half, the Swans - led by brilliant halfback Kyla Lynch-Brown -...
Read Article about SWANS’ SECOND-HALF SURGE SECURES CRL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP

BULLDOGS OVERWHELM BARBARIANS FOR DIVISION ONE TITLE

Northern Bulldogs broke down Ashburton Barbarians' impressive early resistance to run away with the CRL Division One grand final 40-20 at Ngā Puna Wai. Experienced campaigners Nathaniel Tirikatene and Cameron Godfrey both scored two tries in a dominant Bulldogs display. The bruising Barbarians made an outstanding start, with winger David...
Read Article about BULLDOGS OVERWHELM BARBARIANS FOR DIVISION ONE TITLE

PAT SMITH’S ENDURING LEGACY

Most know the Pat Smith Trophy is the greatest prize in Canterbury Rugby League, but how much do you know about the man it is named after? As the silverware is polished up and prepared to be awarded for the 58th time on Sunday, to either Hornby or Halswell after...
Read Article about PAT SMITH’S ENDURING LEGACY

HIGH-ACHIEVING FEAVERS LOOKS FORWARD TO SECOND CANTERBURY GF

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...
Read Article about HIGH-ACHIEVING FEAVERS LOOKS FORWARD TO SECOND CANTERBURY GF

YOUTHFUL PANTHERS OUT TO CAP STUNNING SEASON WITH GF VICTORY

Hornby has taken the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership by storm in the club’s first season back in the competition, culminating in a grand final appearance this Sunday after ending Linwood’s reign in last week’s sudden-death semi. Youthful exuberance and attacking flair have been trademarks of the Panthers’ campaign – traits...
Read Article about YOUTHFUL PANTHERS OUT TO CAP STUNNING SEASON WITH GF VICTORY

SHORTHANDED SWANS RELYING ON EXPERIENCE TO REGAIN WOMEN’S TITLE

If Sydenham Swans bounce back from consecutive CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership grand final heartbreakers by inscribing their name on the trophy for 2024, it will be a nod to the squad’s experience and depth after losing a host of key players. Former Kiwi Ferns rep Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe, a multiple grand...
Read Article about SHORTHANDED SWANS RELYING ON EXPERIENCE TO REGAIN WOMEN’S TITLE

CRL PREMIERSHIP DECIDERS: A GRAND HISTORY

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...
Read Article about CRL PREMIERSHIP DECIDERS: A GRAND HISTORY

HORNETS SOAKING UP GRAND FINAL BREAKTHROUGH – BUT THE JOB’S NOT DONE

Qualifying for the club’s first Pat Smith Trophy Challenge in a decade – on top of their Canterbury Cup side also reaching the decider – and ending Linwood Keas’ quest for a 10th straight grand final, it’s already been a watershed season for Halswell Hornets. After getting past the bogey...
Read Article about HORNETS SOAKING UP GRAND FINAL BREAKTHROUGH – BUT THE JOB’S NOT DONE

NO ROOM FOR SENTIMENT AS PANTHERS CHASE GRAND FINAL GLORY

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...
Read Article about NO ROOM FOR SENTIMENT AS PANTHERS CHASE GRAND FINAL GLORY

RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.27

The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. Canterbury products were in action in the latest rounds of the NRL, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup, Jersey and Flegg Cup (NSWRL under-21s).   NRL Former Hornby winger and Super Rugby...
Read Article about RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.27