Month: August 2022

Match called off - Maidstone vs Pilgrims

PILGRIMS GAME OFF

Posted on | by David Haigh

Pilgrims opening Counties 2 East league game at home to Maidstone on Saturday, September 3rd has been called off.. The club has been trying to find an alternative fixture but has been unsuccessful. The league game has been postponed at Maidstone’s request as they have safety concerns about a lack of contact training due to the present hard playing surfaces. It is a disappointment for the Pilgrims who were looking forward to making their debut in the new league after an encouraging victory over Thant Wanderers 1st in last week’s pre-season friendly. As other club teams are without scheduled fixtures there will be no rugby at the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday.

Bat & Trap

Inaugural bat & trap tournament success

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

This Monday Bank Holiday, Canterbury Rugby Club was delighted to host an inaugural bat & trap tournament organised by Verum Financial with sponsors Shepherd Neame and Burgess Hodgson,  to raise funds for the Kent  MS Therapy Centre. Attended by over 300 people in the glorious sunshine, teams were entered to play for the tournament cup and fiercely contested the prize. Attendees enjoyed good food, good beer, and good(ish) sportsmanship.

The winning team, Clivey’s Ancient, took the spoils on the day, knocking out the Bat and Trap Committee, then beating The Handsome Brewers. Thank you to all who attended and a thank you to all those involved in organising the day. From the extremely positive feedback we have already received, it certainly looks like an annual competition to add to our diaries.

Organisers Verum said of the day –

“We were delighted to support KMSTC with organising this fantastic tournament and overwhelmed by the number of teams who elected to take part in this inaugural event. 

The added benefit of strong relations with Canterbury Rugby Club, and their willingness to be involved, certainly assisted with the overall success!

So much fun was had.  We will now learn from our experiences gained, put this knowledge to good use and endeavour to create a popular yearly fundraising event promoting both a unique local ‘pub’ game and worthy charity.”

Spencer Goddard, CEO of Kent MS Therapy Centre, said –

“Thank you to all of those that attended the inaugural Bat & Trap Tournament held to support our Charity. It was great to meet so many people and share our charities perspective and the work we are carrying out. The event allowed us to raise our profile and funds to support people living with MS in Kent. We would like to thank Verum Financial, particularly Matt Pitchacaren and Matt Carr, and in addition the fantastic Shepherd Neame and Burgess Hodgson for sponsoring the event. We look forward to the continuing development of a working relationship between Kent MS Therapy Centre and Canterbury Rugby Club and the opportunities created for us both.”

Giles Hilton, Chairman of Canterbury Rugby Club commented –

“CRFC were delighted to have been involved in a community event supporting KMSTC. Goes a long way to show that we’re not just a single sport Club and that we join happily with our Partners”

Chris Smith

Chris Smith

Posted on | by David Haigh

Chris Smith, a former Cardinals player and for many years landlord of one of the area’s most popular pubs, has died aged 81. Our sympathies go to a family that has strong connections to the club with two of Chris three daughters, Lucy and Emily, being former players in our Womens team and grandson Huw just graduating from the Colts having played for the club since he was five years old. Chris was a Londoner who moved to Kent in 1972 and became landlord of The Gate Inn at Marshside for 36 years. In addition to playing for the Cardinals in the 1970s and 80s his love of the game inspired him to found Marshside RFC. Daughters Lucie and Kate are married to two former Canterbury first team players – Kate to Tony White and Lucy to Dave Frattaroli. Chris’s funeral is to be a family affair only but there will be a celebration of his life at Chislet Church on October 29th. The family have requested no flowers but donations can be made to the Pilgrims Hospice.

Pilgrims vs Thanet Wanderers

Pilgrims Make Good Start

Posted on | by David Haigh

PILGRIMS 19 THANET WANDERERS 12

A strong second half revival earned this Friday night pre-season victory for a largely young, untried Pilgrims side in the clash with local rivals Thanet. The visitors, who included former Canterbury first teamers Jimmy Green and Neil Wakefield, opened the scoring through an unconverted try after ten minutes. Wanderers, a strong, well drilled outfit, were giving Canterbury some problems and went further ahead after 29 minutes. A second try, this time down the right, and a good conversion left the Pilgrims 12 points adrift. Despite losing Adrian Geddes to a head injury the city side were now playing the better, open rugby and looked like scoring on a number of occasions in the last 15 minutes of the half.

The second half started with the visitors looking good but within five minutes Ollie Finn, a new recruit from Ashford who had an outstanding debut, crossed for a try, converted by Dan Hills. In a fast paced game both sides had scoring opportunities but it was Pilgrims who broke out of defence to take the lead. Jake Upward ran 70 metres to score and Hills converted. By now Pilgrims had lost Tom Short, Rob Blunden, Joe Craig and Alex Williams to injuries but it did not dent their confidence or quality as they matched a Wanderers side playing one level above them in the league structure. It was Thanet who began to struggle and the old war horse Dan Gill, following a Craig May latch, stretched the lead with his side’s third try, topped up by Gill’s conversion. The last five minutes were not easy but Pilgrims were full value for their win in front of a very good crowd at the Simon Langton 4G pitch facility.

CRFC vs Westcombe Park

SCRUM POWER SETS UP WIN

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 40 WESTCOMBE PARK 17

Head Coach Matt Corker expressed his satisfaction with this win, Canterbury’s final preseason friendly before league business starts next week. “Before the game I would have taken that score,” he said, after watching his side come away with six tries. Despite the margin of victory, however, it was not all plain sailing and it took over half an hour for Canterbury to impose themselves. ‘Combe had dominated possession and with a little more steadiness in attack could have put points on the board. When Canterbury had the ball they were cumbersome and untidy but eventually scrum power got them on the front foot in the closing minutes of the first half. Tries from centre Will Waddington and scrum half Tom Williams, who shot through a gap at the side of ruck, brought a new fluency and in the first 20 minutes of the second half they cruised away. Wing Frankie Morgan, collecting a chip and chase; a penalty try after ‘Combe crumbled under forward pressure, a catch and drive score and some accurate goal kicking by Frank Reynolds pushed them 33 points ahead. With yellow cards flourished against both sides the game became fractured and careless in the final quarter and the visitors helped themselves to three tries. An interception, some slack tackling and confident finishing handed them a late lifeline but it was Canterbury, in the the last play of the match, who underlined their superiority. Prop Will McColl’s powerful close range charge and Reynolds’ fourth conversion put a smile on Coach Corker’s face.

Brighton vs CRFC

BRIGHTON 27 CANTERBURY 26

Posted on | by David Haigh

by Chris Fullbrook

Canterbury visited Brighton for the second of three pre-season warm up games and it was the home side that rocked. Brighton dominated the first 30 minute period, their first try gifted after an error in midfield allowed them to move the ball wide for an unconverted score.

In reply Tom Williams capitalised on a loose ball to kick through and touch down under the posts for Frank Reynolds to convert. However, Brighton finished the stronger of the first session with a converted score of their own and a 12-7 lead despite Canterbury dominating the set piece.

The second thirty-minute period saw Brighton control line out and scrummage with Canterbury looking out of sorts and a third home side score increased their lead to 17-7. With Head coach Matt Corker ringing the changes it was this blend of experience and youth that saw Canterbury play their most profitable rugby in the third period. Despite going further behind to another home score they fought back to take the lead with tries from Aaron Cooper, a close pick and drive; Guy Hilton taking a quick tap and catching the home side napping and Frank Morgan completing a well worked move down the left flank. With Reynolds converting two of the scores Canterbury were two points ahead and seemed to have rescued a disappointing day.

However Brighton took the win with a penalty kick minutes from time and defended desperately at the last as Canterbury were held up over the line.
The club completes their preseason programme on Friday (August 26th)) when they are at home to Westcombe Park. Kick-off 7.30pm.

Ukraine Military Commander

Ambulances for the Ukraine update

Posted on | by James Moore

Thanks to the efforts of Dave Thompson, our principal sponsor and Managing Director of Marine Travel, our own fundraising efforts, and support, plus other clubs across the country such as Marine AFC, 3 ambulances have been procured and driven to Krakow where they were handed over for medical duty in the Ukraine conflict. This amazing effort has been recognised by the Ukraine armed forces with one high-ranking military unit commander sending a personal message thanking Marine Travel and Canterbury for all they have done to ensure the vital equipment could be delivered to where it was needed most, the front line.

The command of Military Unit *****, which defends Ukraine from the aggressor, expresses its sincere gratitude to the community of the City of Canterbury and the head of Marine Travel company, David Thompson, from Great Britain, for the provided ambulances that will save the lives of the defenders of Ukraine! Our real brothers are the Bristish! Slava Ukraine!!!

A massive thank you to everybody who gave generously in funds and time to make this happen and shows how humanitarian efforts can transcend political aggression.

If you would like to make a donation to this ongoing appeal, please visit the GoFundMe page

Brighton vs CRFC

BUILDING IN BRIGHTON

Posted on | by David Haigh

It’s a seaside trip for the senior squad this weekend as they continue the pre-season build-up with a game against Brighton on Saturday (August 20th). It’s a 2.30 pm kick-off. If you fancy driving down to Sussex by the Sea the ground address is Waterhall Road, Brighton BN1 8YR.

The final pre-season friendly is at home to Westcombe Park on Friday evening, August 26th. Kick-off will be 7.30/8 pm and all bars and restaurant facilities will be open. Admission to the game is free.

Owen West

Let us marvel at this superhero challenge

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Owen West, 19, is refusing to let the spinal condition that has made him wheelchair-bound from holding him back. A keen sportsman, Owen plays wheelchair rugby for the Canterbury Hellfires and wheelchair basketball for the Folkstone Arrows. He is now going to have to muster all of his ability in captaining a team of 60 participants from across the UK to take part in a virtual summer challenge. It team member has a disability of some sort and have accepted the challenge of collectively traveling the equivalent of the circumference of the world in any way they can, be it in a wheelchair or using a walking frame. To be clear and to illustrate the scale of what they have taken on, the distance they will travel will be more than 46,000km. They have until August 20th to complete the task, with each participant logging progress daily. One of four teams taking part, Owen is leading the Captain America team, with his pet cat Oriel on his lap as his sidekick.

Every day, Owen is out on the street in his Captain America costume, putting in the distance. Should the weather get too hot, he even has a contingency having worked out that 136 laps of his living room equals 1km.

At the age of 15, Owen discovered he suffered from 3 rare genetic disorders – type 3 Loeys-Dietz syndrome, KBG Syndrome and CDK13. Because of these, he is unable to walk, has learning difficulties, is losing his eye-sight, and is often in pain. His mum Shelley West, though, is proud of her son for never complaining and never letting himself be beaten.

Through the challenge, Owen hopes to raise funds for Whizz-Kidz and Freedom for wheels. Both of whom have supported him in the difficult times he has had.

You can donate via the following JustGiving pages

Whizz-Kidz – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/shelley-west5?fbclid=IwAR0U9o0p4HUWH2oZ3MNXvghaJiJFOzsjOfa3I8FwSU5E7vC__wVtkred5KI

Freedom for Wheels – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/owenwest?fbclid=IwAR09wbTTlRbkW81djUCtemDCmWK0GLfz_qzQqlOwUL7kVjhUNe11R2fnJS0

Please give generously if you can to help get essential funding to these very worthy organizations.

For the full story, visit the KentOnline article.

CRFC vs BSRFC

Canterbury 21 Bishop’s Stortford 38

Posted on | by David Haigh

Pace and accuracy shifted this game decisively Bishop’s Stortford’s way as they dominated the second and third quarters. Just one score in front after the opening 20 minutes the Division One side ran in another five tries to remind Canterbury of their status. When the chances were created through sure handling and quick thinking they put them away and while the home side’s competitive instincts never deserted them their lack of accuracy and basic errors hobbled their ambition. That said, Canterbury did hit back strongly in the final quarter of a match played in 20 minute blocks and frequent changes to accommodate expanded squads. Stortford had to defend solidly in the early stages before their backs served notice by creating an overlap try for Charlie Parkhouse converted by Dan Cole, The lead didn’t last long as Will Waddington latched on to a shrewd kick from fly half Frank Reynolds for a Canterbury touchdown which Reynolds converted. Scrum half Connor Lloyd sniped over to recapture the advantage for Stortford but in the next 40 minutes they took command. Tries from Jake Morris, Parkhouse, Charlie Garwood and Luke Bury, plus three Cole conversions, put them well clear, The final session, however, saw Canterbury roar back into the game thanks to a pack which dominated the set scrums. Their work rewarded with a pick up and strong finish from Number Eight Harry Andrews. Tom Best converted and on a pitch that was in top class condition in this hot, dry summer they ended on high note when Best’s break set up a converted score for fellow centre Frankie Morgan.