The Hornby Panthers and Linwood Keas have surged further ahead in the Bartercard Canterbury ’s Premiership following big wins in Round 9 of the competition, while victories to the Eastern Eagles and Celebration Lions have created a fascinating mid-table logjam with five weeks of the regular season left.
At Leslie Park the Hornby Panthers ran in 15 tries to decimate Papanui Tigers 78 – 16. Veteran back-rower James Baxendale finished with a hat-trick, while rookie centre Jayton Lawrie, fullback Sincere Harraway and winger Eti Collins all crossed the try line twice.
At Ngā Puna Wai, the Linwood Keas put on a dominant second half, scoring thirty points to six to defeat the Riccarton Knights 40 – 12 whilst at Wainoni Park, tge Eastern Eagles won their third straight match aftee defeating the Northern Bulldogs 26 – 22.
The undefeated Panthers still remain top of the table with 17 Premiership points, whilst the Keas sit in second on fifteen. Halswell sit in outright third on ten points, whilst the Lions, Eagles and Northern Bulldogs all sit just one point behind.
RESULTS
Bartercard Canterbury Men’s Premiership:
Hornby Panthers 78 defeated Papanui Tigers 16
Linwood Keas 40 defeated Riccarton Knights 12
Eastern Eagles 26 defeated Northern Bulldogs 22
Celebration Lions 28 defeated Halswell Hornets
ISC Canterbury Cup:
Maris-Papanui 62 defeated Eastern Eagles 6
Ashburton Barbarians 26 drew with Burnham Chevaliers 26
Hornby Panthers 26 defeated Northern Bulldogs 20
Shirley Hawks 52 defeated Linwood Keas 16
Woolston Rams 22 defeated Halswell Hornets 14
