Panthers open up lead in Canterbury league premiership

By Will Evans

The Hornby Panthers have opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Bartercard NZ CRL Men’s Premiership after the Linwood Keas’ shock draw with the Halswell Hornets, while Northern Bulldogs and Riccarton Knights tightened up the middle of the table with their second straight victories in round 6.

The Keas – coming off a loss to the Panthers last weekend – found themselves 10-0 down at halftime against the Hornets at Canterbury Park.

The five-time champs scored four tries to one in the second stanza, but errant goalkicking left the rivals locked 16-all at the final whistle. The point secured by the Hornets bumped them into outright third on the ladder.

Hornby extended their lead at the top of the table by running out 42-28 winners over Eastern Eagles at Wainoni Park.

The Panthers’ father and son duo – winger Jayton and hooker Corey Lawrie – both crossed for two tries, as did brilliant young skipper Sincere Harraway, continuing his amazing try-scoring spree from fullback.

To their credit, the Eagles fought hard after going into halftime 28-10 down, outscoring the competition front-runners in the second half. Centre Uale Peneli and lock Harold Kolase both finished with doubles for the hosts.

Celebration Lions celebrated their Club Day on Saturday – but Northern Bulldogs were in no mood for sentiment, carving out a gripping 20-14 win at Cuthberts Green after trailing 10-6 at the break.

Behind 14-8 midway through the second half, the Bulldogs scored the last two tries of the match to snare two vital competition points. Inspirational forward Ethan Plaskett finished with a double for Northern.

Riccarton Knights completed a lean afternoon for the home teams by accounting for Papanui Tigers 36-22 at Bishopdale Park.

The Knights went on with the job after leading 18-6 at halftime to join the Lions and Bulldogs in equal-fourth on the ladder with three wins from six rounds.

BARTERCARD NZ CRL MEN’S PREMIERSHIP ROUND 6 RESULTS

• Linwood Keas 16 (Penitito Ilalio, Michael Nicholls-Kane, George Faaiva, Andrew Auimatagi tries) drew with Halswell Hornets 16 (Marley Mackie-Coffin, Ken Tofilau, Jodi Bond tries; Jamie Nuttridge 2 goals) at Canterbury Park.
• Hornby Panthers 42 (Jayton Lawrie 2, Corey Lawrie 2, Sincere Harraway 2, Eti Collins, Charlie Charlie tries; Caleb Murphy 5 goals) defeated Eastern Eagles 28 (Uale Peneli 2, Harold Kolase 2, Zion Tauamiti tries; Daniel Hartley 4 goals) at Wainoni Park.
• Northern Bulldogs 20 (Ethan Plaskett 2, Nathaniel Tirikatene, Josh Rawiri tries; Tirikatene 2 goals) defeated Celebration Lions 14 (Tipazo Aukustino, Jordan Kamana, Faafetai Tuuu tries; Taniela Leka goal) at Cuthberts Green.
• Riccarton Knights 36 defeated Celebration Lions 22 at Bishopdale Park.

ISC CRL PREMIER RESERVES ROUND 6 RESULTS

• Linwood Keas 46 defeated Halswell Hornets 24 at Canterbury Park.
• Ashburton Barbarians 58 defeated Eastern Eagles 18 at Wainoni Park.
• Shirley Hawks 26 defeated Northern Bulldogs 24 at Cuthberts Green.
• Marist-Papanui 72 defeated Burnham Chevaliers 14 at Bishopdale Park.
• Hornby Panthers 18 defeated Woolston Rams 10 at Woolston Park.