Linwood hands Christchurch the Crying Towel in 54th match-up

It’s not often that the loser takes home a trophy, but with the Crying Towel, it’s a prize no one wants to keep.

The Linwood Bulls scored in the final 5 minutes to ensure victory against Christchurch for the first time since 2015, finally handing over the Crying Towel to their rivals in a 29-27 thriller.

The Crying Towel came about 54 years ago when Brent Elder arrived in Christchurch to manage the farm on the Port Hills, looking to continue his rugby career.  

Originally turning out at Christchurch pre-season training, Elder would eventually make the switch to Linwood, however, leaving his towel behind at that first training session. Roger Mahan picked up the towel and took it home, only returning it to Elder in the Linwood changing rooms after a game that Christchurch had won 18-3 later that season, on it with a marker he had written “The Crying Towel” and since then both teams agreed that the loser would get the towel each year. 

Now framed, the towel has sat in the Linwood clubrooms for the last couple of years and they’ll be desperate to get rid of it, following a mixed start to the season. They face a Christchurch side who will be determined to stay away from the towel, adding a unique intensity to this fixture that is rarely seen elsewhere in New Zealand Rugby. 

Saturday’s fixture was no different, with the match at Linfield Park a seesawing, entertaining affair that befitted the occasion, with both teams giving it everything to avoid going home with the Crying Towel. Speaking to The Integrity Unit’s Donny Bell following the game, Linwood captain Tepasu Thomas couldn’t believe the result.

“I can’t believe it, in my whole time at the club, 6 or 7 years, we haven’t beaten Christchurch, so it’s an amazing feeling to finally get that win.” Thomas said.

“It’s going to be a different feeling getting rid of the towel for the year. We’ve been looking for a full 80 minute performance this season, so hopefully we can use this win to build for the rest of the season.”

In winning on Saturday, Linwood will be able to replace the hole left by the Crying Towel with the Tom George Memorial Cup, meaning it’s to the victor the spoils in a great advertisement for Canterbury Community Rugby.

Photo: Ruth Stimpson/Canterbury Community Rugby Facebook Group