Hat-trick for Leka as Lions celebrate

Celebration Lions and Papanui Tigers overturned eight point halftime deficits to pull off important wins in the latest round of Canterbury rugby league on Saturday.

Halswell Hornets came desperately close to snatching a last-minute draw after trailing premiers Linwood by 18 points at the break.

The Keas were on course for a big win at Halswell Domain, powering to a 22-4 halftime advantage over the Hornets. The home side rallied to score the first two tries of the second stanza and trail 22-16.

Linwood looked to have put the game to bed when Daniel Hartley sliced through and converted his own try to restore a 12-point buffer. Texas Toleofa scored with nine minutes left to set up a grandstand finish.

Hartley’s attempts at a match-sealing field goal were unsuccessful and Connor Moody crossed in the corner for the Hornets in the dying stages. Jamie Nuttridge’s conversion attempt was waved away allowing the Keas to escape with a 28-26 result.

Celebration trailed 18-10 at Murphy Park, but a hat-trick to Canterbury Bulls forward Kyle Leka and a Jonathan Lima double steered them to a 28-23 victory over the Bulldogs – their third in succession.

Aranui Eagles led perennial heavyweights Papanui 20-12 at halftime in their showdown at QE II Park, but the Tigers came home strongly to pull off a 32-28 win via four second half tries. Mark Walsh scored two tries for the Tigers, while Klayton Waikato grabbed a brace for the gallant Eagles.

Hornby remain unbeaten after a rampant 48-4 defeat of winless Riccarton at Crosbie Park. Charlie Charlie was the main beneficiary of the Panthers’ dominance, crossing for four tries while Nopera Karipa bagged a double.

Canterbury skipper James Baxendale notched 16 points.