Linwood makes it 13 consecutive wins
The Linwood Keas have secured Canterbury Rugby League’s Massetti Cup for the second straight season, finishing top of the table after a 30-10 victory over Northern Bulldogs on Saturday.
The defending champions overcame the absence of several key stars, the relocation of the finalround clash from Linwood Park to Murphy Park due to a ground closure, and a spirited effort from the fifth-placed Bulldogs to run out convincing winners.
The scores were locked 10-10 at halftime, but the Keas piled on four unanswered tries in the second stanza to chalk up their 13th consecutive win.
Alani Kakoi, Ben McIvor, Edhill Enosa, David Jakob, Phil Wahnig and Erwin Sauni scores tries for the Keas.
Massetti Cup runners-up Hornby Panthers made a big statement ahead of next week’s semifinal showdown with Linwood, thumping fellow semi-finalists Papanui Tigers 32-12 at Branston Park.
The Tigers were hampered by the send-off of fullback Joshua Aileone during the first half and had fallen behind 24-0 by halftime. The Tigers dug in to outscore their opponents in the second half, however, while Panthers duo Charlie Charlie and Daniel Kibride both finished with doubles.
Riccarton Knights were involved in a draw for the second week in a row, fighting back from a six-point halftime deficit to finish level at 16-all with fourth-placed Celebration Lions, who now gear up for an elimination semi against Papanui.
Meanwhile, Aranui Eagles climbed off the bottom of the ladder with their third win and consigned Halswell Hornets to last place with an emphatic 22-6 win as the pair squared off at QEII Park.