Walker heroics lead Lions to upset

Celebration Lions’ five-eighth Tama Walker landed a last minute 40 metre field goal to lead his side to victory over previously unbeaten Hornby on Saturday.

Hornby, Papanui, Linwood and surprise-package Celebration are all tied for top spot in the Canterbury rugby league premiership with four wins and a loss after five outings.

Aranui, Halswell, Northern and Riccarton are in a four-way logjam for fifth with one win and four losses.

The underdog Lions led 10-4 at halftime, but the match was headed for a draw until Walker snatched a character building win with a long range field goal in the closing stages.

Linwood chalked up their fourth straight win with a comprehensive 40-20 victory over the Aranui Eagles at Linwood Park.

After building a 10-point halftime advantage, there was no repeat of the fadeout that marked the defending premiers’ lucky escape last Saturday against the Hornets, going on with the job to record a seven-tries-to-four win.

Daniel Hartley racked up 20 points for the Keas from two tries and six goals, while David Jakob also bagged a double.

A Joshua Ka hat-trick spearheaded the Tigers’ 38-32 win over the Bulldogs in another highscoring affair at Murphy Park. Both sides finished with seven tries, but Papanui’s superior goalkicking proved the difference.

The Knights notched their first win of 2017, overcoming the Hornets 20-12 at Halswell Domain. The scores were locked 6-all at the break, but the visitors made the most of their opportunities to score three tries to one in the second stanza, consigning the Hornets to their fourth straight loss.