Month: October 2022

Pilgrims 58 Maidstone 0

Maidstone found the Pilgrims eager to prove themselves as they cruised to a third Counties Kent 2 victory. From the off the home side attacked with pace, accurate passing and excellent support play. Harry Andrews got the first of his side’s ten tries, with Ollie Ashley-Jones converting.
After more good possession James Everatt went over to score, Ollie supplied the conversion. Ollie, Will Calder, Tom Halliday and Adrian Geddes then combined to put Max Halliday away for an unstoppable unconverted try; Pilgrims were 19 points up after 15 minutes. It was all Canterbury, and the visitors could not get close to the home side as the ball was moved quickly around. Rob Knott, who was voted supporters ‘man of the match’, was getting involved in everything. He had another outstanding game and is one to watch for the future. The Pilgrims pack were in control and the backs kept running, their fitness is beginning to show, but there is a long way to go ad it is still early season! Gus Lister, making his long awaited debut, went off with a recurring injury, Ross Howard replaced him and there were further changes as Dan Gill joined the front row and Calder got a Yellow card. Once the home side had reorganised they ramped up the pressure which brought Eoin O’Donoghue a converted try. Then second row man Jesse De Vries 70 yards run and try, handing off all tacklers, pushed Pilgrims lead to 31 points at the break. The momentum was sustained in the second half with another five tries and one conversion. Adrian Geddes went over first, Ross Howard got a brace and Tom Halliday completed the family try scoring.
Will Calder, back after his card, was the other try scorer. For the second week running the Pilgrims shut out their opposition. Next Saturday they travel to Hastings and Bexhill.

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 33 GILLINGHAM ANCHORIANS 0

Pilgrims took control of this Counties Kent 2 game in the first half as they built a commanding 26 point lead. Although they let those high standards drop after the break this was still a morale boosting performance as they bounced back from the previous week’s defeat at Dover. Apart from the five tries they scored Canterbury put in an excellent defensive shift which they needed in the early stages as Anchorians started well. Having absorbed the pressure they took the lead with a try from flanker Eoin O’Donoghue topped up by the first of Ollie Ashley-Jones’ four conversions. It was the second quarter that saw Pilgrims at their best as they counter attacked effectively , handled sharply and made few mistakes. Prop Will McColl got their second try after 22 minutes and a great run and dummy by full back Dan Eaglestone pushed the lead to nineteen. Man of the match Ashley-Jones then broke =from his own half and profited from a favourable bounce to hit Anchorians with the fourth try. The second half was a disappointment as standards slipped and a yellow card for Dan Gill also slowed Canterbury’s efforts. They survived his ten minute absence without mishap, gradually took control of possession and Luke Webber’s converted try rounded off the victory. Pilgrims will look for more on Saturday when they host Maidstone first team in a postponed league game,