Month: February 2024

Around the Ground

Around the Ground at the MTG

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

It was a tough weekend for our senior teams. Friday Night Lights was again a success, with a good number of supporters cheering on both teams. Unfortunately, the Deacons were not able to prevent Snowdown from completing the double over them. Frank Morgan ran out for his 100th cap for the 1st XV, and despite being in the lead at half time, they could not build on it and let the home team get away from them through some costly mistakes and unanswered Westcombe tries. Our youth teams fared better with some big wins and fantastic rugby played by our rising stars. Special mention goes to Jake Robinson, Joe Fraser, Fin Akhurst, and Barney Burden for good shifts representing the U13’s.

Last weekend’s scores

1st XV 27 – 14 Westcombe Park
Deacons 13 – 31 Snowdown 1st XV
Maidstone 2nds 40 – 0 Zingari
Colts 1 26 – 33 TJ’s
Colts 2 22 – 19 TJ’s
U16’s 59 – 31 Bromley
U15’s 38 – 17 Sevenoaks
U14’s 45 – 5 Vigo U14/U15’s
U13’S 30 – 0 Aylesford A
U13’S 35 – 25 Whitstable A
U12’s Spitfires 60 – 5 Old Gravesendians
U12’s Hurricanes 45 – 20 TJ’s

This weekend’s fixtures and training

Saturday
Crowborough v Pilgrims – Away KO 3.00pm
Canons* (3rd XV) v Sevenoaks – Home Main Pitch KO 3.00pm
Aylesford 2nd XV v Deacons – Away KO 3.00pm
Leigh v Zingari – Away KO 3.00pm

*Please note that our 3rd XV has now been renamed Canons to align with the Pilgrims, Deacons, and Cardinals.

Sunday
Colts v Sidcup – Away
U16’s v Deal and Betteshanger – Home Langton artificial pitch KO from 9.00am
U15’s v Blackheath – Away
U15’s v Gravesend – Home Langton artificial pitch KO 11.00am
U14’s v Bromley – Away
U13’s v Maidstone – Home Bottom Orchard KO from 10.00am
U12’s v OE’s  – Home Top Orchard KO from 10.00am
U12’s v Saffron Walden – Home Top Orchard KO from 10.00am
U10’s Richmond Festival – Away
U7’s,8’s,9’s and 11’s v Ashford – Away

Mini & Youth Training

U6’s Training Grids

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all the visiting supporters, clubs, and teams.

City Lunch

Just a reminder that we still have places available at our March 7th City Lunch, with our guest speaker Kelly Brown sharing insights and experiences from his illustrious rugby career. As a former Scotland international and seasoned professional, Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on the game that is sure to captivate our audience. Come and enjoy a delicious meal with fellow club members and the wider rugby community. Contact kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk for details and to book. Tables of 10 – 12, £70 per person. Don’t miss out on this fantastic event.

6 Nations round 3

Congratulations to Matthew ‘Squeeky’ Pinnick for winning round 3 of our Fantasy 6 Nations Competition. Can you carry it through to the next round?

300 Club

Congratulations to our February winners!
97 x Charlie Coleman
47 x Chris Fullbrook
89 x Richard Cripps
4 x Matthew Pinnick
125 x Peter Giles

We wish you all the best of rugby weekends!

Second Half Fade Out

Posted on | by David Haigh

WESTCOMBE PARK 27 CANTERBURY 14

by David Haigh

A dominant second half from ‘Combe settled this Kent derby as an error prone Canterbury failed live up to their early promise. Their nine point half time lead vanished in a rising count of mistakes and turnovers as the hosts picked them off with three unanswered tries. The city side went into the game weakened by injuries and ‘Combe were able to target key areas to telling effect after the break, but that was no excuse for the drop off in judgment and physicality. That poor forty minutes was in direct contrast to the team who controlled much of the first half. Their early attacks brought a yellow card for ‘Combe’s Sam Fombo and an immediate catch and drive try by Nathan Morris. That score was countered by an unconverted try from ‘Combe’s Taine Wagstaff but it was the city side who were playing with greater confidence and they marked it with anther classy seven points. Swift handling and a delayed pass opened the gap for Eoin O’Donoghue to score between the posts and Frank Reynolds’ second conversion was easy. Further points proved more elusive as Canterbury failed to capitalise on close quarter mauls and opted to ignore kickable penalty chances, but at the end of the half they could look back on a decent body of work. When they came out for the second half, however, their memory failed them. A yellow card for replacement Alfie Orris gave ‘Combe their first chance through a catch drive try for Harry Hudson, converted by Nathan Wyman and they never looked back. Winning all the important clashes and seizing on a now muted Canterbury’s errors they were gifted a third try, scored by Mark Muhamman courtesy of some weak defending. Stripped of possession the city side were a shadow of their earlier selves. Wyman’s conversion and a 71st minute penalty goal moved his side eight points ahead and a lost lineout helped ‘Combe to claim a bonus point from the last play of the game through wing Joe Ratcliff’s try.

Canterbury: W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Morgan, T.Best, B.Law, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, E.Lusher, N.Morris, D.Herriott, J.Stephens, C.Murray, T.Mackenzie, E.O’Donoghue, A.Evans. Replacements: T.Williams, W.Hunt, A.Orris, H.Furneaux, A.Malik.

View match photos

Westcombe Park - 24 Feb 2024

Images may be subject to copyright 0 Phillipa Hilton

Beefing Up Defence

Posted on | by David Haigh

WEEKEND PREVIEW

We needed a reaction from the players after the Dorking game and our performance against Barnes was much improved. Our adjustment to the recent refocus on the new tackle height laws was exactly what we have been working on, only conceding one high tackle penalty. The challenge for us is to continue to dominate collisions at the lower height. Last season this was more straight forward as we coached a big impact from the second tackler. This is an area that referees are now concentrating on, even more so than the beginning of the season, and it has become difficult to have the same impact below the sternum as the second man. We have been working on strategies to be dominant in defence and this weekend is an opportunity to show how far we have progressed in this area.

The main story of the day last Saturday was the number of turnovers we conceded immediately after strong line breaks. This happened on eight occasions, the majority of the time after making considerable metres. It killed our ability to apply pressure through possession and the score board. To be at the top of this league you have to be clinical and we paid the price for our inaccuracy. The positive side of this coin is that we are creating so many good attacking opportunities and our work on is clear.

This weekend is the last of this three game block before a week off and it’s a big derby in the calendar away at Westcombe Park. Both Teams will be focused on finishing strongly and as we get into the business end of the season it’s all to play for.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Around the Ground

Around the Ground at the MTG

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

A weekend of mixed fortunes and what could have beens. The 1st XV pushed hard against National 2’s second placed team and looked like they were going to get something out of the game, but Barnes dug in and showed why they are chasing the league leaders. Pilgrims continue their unbeaten run with an impressive win over Charlton Park. Canterbury Women again put in a magnificent shift to dominate Pulborough Women. It was fantastic to see Canterbury Hellfire host their own tournament and massive thanks must go to Canterbury College (EKC) for allowing the club the use of their facilities. Our U12’s and U14’s put in a good shift, with the U14’s having to reschedule their fixture against Gravesend at the last minute and finding a game with Thanet Wanderers. 3 fantastic trys by Jonson Foster and Isaac Little’s immaculate boot secured a big win for the team.

Weekend scores

1st XV 20 – 29 Barnes
Pilgrims 60 – 12 Charlton Park
Pulborough Women 12 – 33 Canterbury Women
Hellfire Tournament

Game 1: Brighton Buccaneers 22 – 11 Canterbury Hellfire
Game 2: Berkshire Banshees 21 – 19 Canterbury Hellfire
Game 3: Canterbury Hellfire 11 – 27 Stoke Mandeville Maulers

U12’s 50 – 20 Cranbrook
U14’s 52 – 0 Thanet Wanderers

Fixtures and Training

Friday Night Lights
Deacons v Snowdown 1st XV – KO 6.30pm

** Bar open and BBQ from 5.30pm **

Saturday
1st XV v Westcombe Park – Away KO 2.00pm

This will be a milestone game for Frank Morgan, as this game will be his 100th Canterbury appearance.

Maidstone 2nds v Zingari – Away KO 2.30pm

Sunday
U12’s Spitfires v Old Gravesendians – Away
U12’s Hurricanes v TJ’s  – Away
U13’S v Aylesford  – Home Bottom Orchard  KO 11.00am
U14’s v Vigo – Away
U15’s v Sevenoaks – Home Langton STP from 10.00am
U16’s v Bromley – Away
Colts 1 & 2 v TJ’s  – Away

Mini & Youth Training

U6’S grids 9.00am -10.00am
U7’s and 8’s Langton STP 9.00am – 10.00am
U9’s and U10’s Top Orchard 9.00am – 10.30am
U11’s Bottom Orchard 9.00am – 10.30am

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all the visiting supporters, clubs, and teams.

City Lunch

Just a reminder that we still have places available at our March 7th City Lunch, with our guest speaker Kelly Brown sharing insights and experiences from his illustrious rugby career. As a former Scotland international and seasoned professional, Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on the game that is sure to captivate our audience. Come and enjoy a delicious meal with fellow club members and the wider rugby community. Contact kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk for details and to book. Tables of 10 – 12, £70 per person. Don’t miss out on this fantastic event.

6 Nations round 3

With England and Ireland the only nations still in the hunt for the grand slam, it will certainly be a great weekend of rugby. Come and watch with us in the clubhouse and enjoy a beer and a burger for £10!

Saturday
Ireland v Wales – KO 2.15pm
Scotland v England – KO 4.45pm

Sunday
France v Italy – KO 3.00pm

The clubhouse bar will be open from 12.30pm both days.

We wish you all the best of rugby weekends!

Pilgrims Closing On Title

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY PILGRIM 60 CHARLTON PARK 12

by John Mitchell

After this resounding victory, Pilgrims need just nine points from their four remaining games to be crowned champions of Counties 1 Kent. Their fast, attacking brand of rugby overwhelmed a relegation threatened Park with ten tries as they extended the winning run to eighteen matches. From the kick off the Pilgrims meant business. Harry Andrews, from an early lineout, went over to score the first try of the day and fly half Harrison Fermor made a difficult conversion. A good backs move, with Fermor disguising a beautifully weighted pass to Stanley Bull, put Canterbury 12-0 up and after 18 minutes, and more prolonged pressure, Tom Williams scored try number three. A fourth came from Will Hunt after a superb bit of open play by the dominant Pilgrims. Only good defending by the visitors stopped the score board moving and they also found a reply. A five metre scrum saw their heavier pack gain advantage and go over out wide. A yellow card for the visitors, their second, allowed Pilgrims to take advantage and Harvey Furneaux went over, after continued pressure, to make it 27-5 at half time. The second half continued in the same vein. Fast attacking rugby opened the way for Gus Lister to speed through; Stan Bull scored his second try of the day off the back of a maul and try number eight was also a second for Harry Andrews, who powered through a massive gap. Charlton Park could not put any real moves together, as wave after wave of quick ball, being moved left and right negated their superiority in the scrum. The ninth try went to the hard working Adrian Geddes, after a great run by Furneaux, and Harvey himself completed the day’s prolific haul. Four second half conversions by Fermor pushed the score to the sixty mark but a Park side which never stopped working were rewarded with a last minute converted try. Next up for Pilgrims is Crowborough, away, on March 2nd.

Not Quite Good Enough

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 20 BARNES 29

by David Haigh

After the previous week’s woes this was a better performance from Canterbury but not quite good enough to unseat the title chasing visitors. Approaching the final quarter with a five point lead the city side seemed handily placed but it was Barnes who took took control, added two tries to secure their bonus point and effectively shut down the game. It was a disappointment after solid first half defence restricted Barnes to a Kyle Beattie penalty goal and a catch and drive try from Cameron Ruddock. Try scoring chances were sparse as both sides were guilty of poor ball retention but a Frank Reynolds penalty goal got Canterbury on the scoreboard and with wind and slope to help them after the break the odds on a win were shortened. They started to look a decent bet as Reynolds punished a scrum offence with his second penalty and only five minutes into the half added the conversion to Ben Cooper’s try to take his side in front for the first time. Number Eight Tyler Oliver made the break and gave his scrum half the scoring opportunity. It was Barnes power at the maul that edged them back in front six minutes later as Matt Humphreys claimed their second catch and drive touchdown, converted by Beattie, but Canterbury were quick to counter. Quick hands opened up the left channel for Frank Morgan’s try and a touchline conversion from Reynolds was more good news. But that was the last we saw of Canterbury as an attacking force, apart from the odd break from much too deep. Barnes brought shrewd game management to their play, denied the city side any decent field position and their strengths produced tries for wings Jacques Birch and Paul Webb. Both scores had their origins in that effective maul. They opted to release and spread the attack wide for Birch’s try and scrum half Josh Davies sniped off the back of another close quarter drive to send Webb cruising over. Beattie nailed both conversions to guarantee Canterbury were denied even a losing bonus point.

Canterbury: W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Morgan (repl W.Hilton), T.Best, B.Law, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper (repl P.Farrance), E.Lusher, E.O’Donoghue (repl N.Morris), D.Herriott (repl D.Huntley), J.De Vries, J.Stephens, A.Evans (repl T.Mackenzie), C.Murray, T.Oliver

View match photos

v Barnes - 17 Feb 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Weekend Focus

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY v BARNES

One year later and although the margin was slightly smaller, we came away from Dorking with a very familiar taste in our mouth. Losing to good teams is something that we have to process and learning these lessons is how we will grow as a team. This opportunity is lost when we don’t produce anything near the plan, or we don’t meet the minimum level of physicality that is necessary to win in this league. The frustration is that when we do get to these levels we are match for anyone, but talk is cheap and we only measure ourselves by what we put on tape each Saturday.
Our focus for this week is clear; with another strong opposition visiting the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday we are concentrating on what we need to individually contribute to the team performance for us to win. Five per cent off mentally and you are miles off on the scoreboard; if that is the lesson that we learn from Dorking the disappointment won’t be in vain. We will only know when we see what we put on tape this weekend.
The Pilgrims came through their hardest fought win of the season at third place Dartfordians. The depth of the squad is being tested, as it is this time of the year, and the team battled through to finish on top, scoring over fifty points. With five games to go, only a couple of wins will secure the Pilgrims the league title in their first season at this level. The team know they will not come easy as they try and achieve something very special.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Hilton Boots Pilgrims To Victory

Posted on | by David Haigh

DARTFORDIANS 36 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 51

by John Mitchell

This was a severe test against a Dartfordians side who were unbeaten at home this season and still in the hunt for a promotion place. Thanks to late tries and the immaculate goal kicking of Will Hilton, which accounted for 21 of Pilgrims points with all six conversions and three penalties, they were able to hold off the hosts powerful challenge. The home side took an early lead with a pushover try, duly converted, but Pilgrims fought straight back. A trade mark snipe from Presley Farrance created pressure before Freddie Holland-Oliver scored. From the restart, poor reception and an awkward bounce saw the home recapture the lead through a good unconverted try, the conversion hitting the upright. With fourteen minutes gone Hilton slotted his first penalty and soon added a second to push his side one point ahead. Stan Bull made a welcome return after injury and came on for Dan Gill. A home player received a yellow card for not rolling away and from this one man advantage, Pilgrims started to take control. Only good defending by the home side kept them at bay but from a well won lineout they got a second try. Farrance, Tom Halliday and Max Campbell combined to send Jack Weaver over. Wingman Hector Valldares then made 70 metres with a superb run, off loaded to Sonny Trew-Neville who did the rest but for the second time the home side scored from the kick off. No one dealt with the high ball, another bad bounce and the home side went through to score an unconverted try. Next came an impressive Pilgrims score for Max Campbell wide on the right and despite Holland-Oliver’s yellow card for a scrum offence they were 34-17 ahead at the break. Although that looked comfortable it soon changed as Dartfordians took control of the scrums anf got on top. Two quick tries narrowed the gap to three points and the tension showed as tempers frayed. Hilton’s third penalty goal and Dan Gill’s return to bolster the pack steadied the Canterbury ship. Max Campbell wriggled free for his second touchdown and when a red card reduced Dartfordians to fourteen players they were made to pay. From a lineout Brandon Dunkerley fed Weaver who put in a great solo effort to claim Pilgrims sixth try. In a scrappy end to the game Harvey Furneaux was handed a yellow card, Dartfordians scored an unconverted try but Pilgrims had done enough to extend their winning run to seventeen.

Pilgrims: J.Weaver, M.Campbell, S.Trew-Neville, T.Halliday, H.Valldares, W.Hilton, P.Farrance, F.Holland-Oliver, B.Dunkerley, D.Gill, J.Grewar, L.Webber, A.Geddes, H.Furneaux, W.Hunt. Replacements: S.Bull, H.Fermor, J.Constant

Around the Ground

Around the ground at the MTG

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

It was a weekend of ups and downs. We celebrated those who won and commiserated with those who didn’t, but as one club, we ready ourselves to go again.

Weekend scores

Dorking 42 – 22 1st XV
Dartfordians 1st XV 36 – 51 Pilgrims
Deacons 41 – 5 Folkestone 2nds
Weavering 36 – 35 Zingari
Canterbury Women 38 – 8 Dartford Valley Roses
Colts 1 14 – 19 TJ’s
U16’s 12 – 19 Thurrock
U13’s 40 – 5 Sevenoaks

The Pilgrims maintain their grip at the top of Counties 1 Kent and continue their so far unbeaten season. Canterbury Women looked strong and dominant against Dartford Valley Roses. The Zingari battled like true warriors only to fall short by the slightest of margins, but they pushed until the final whistle. Special mention goes to the U13’s 2nd team who travelled to Sevenoaks the weekend before, beating the home team 20 – 35 with James Trott earning a mention in despatches for his outstanding contribution.

Fixtures and Training

Saturday
1st XV v Barnes – KO 3.00pm – Main Pitch
Pilgrims v Charlton Park – KO 2.30pm – Langton Grass Pitch

Entrance to 1st XV game £10.00 without a valid membership card
Clubhouse bar open and food available

Sunday
Pulborough Women v Canterbury Women – KO 2.30pm
Hellfire Tournament – EKC Canterbury College, from midday
U15’s v Barking – Away
U14’s v Gravesend, top pitch – KO 10.30am
U12’s v Cranbrook Langton STP – KO 10.30am
Minis v Cranbrook – Away

Mini & Youth Training
U6’s – Grids 9.00am till 10.00am
U13’s – Lower Orchard, 10.00am
U16 and U17’s joint training, Langton STP 11.30am till 1.00pm

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all the visiting clubs and teams.

City Lunch

We still have places available at our March 7th City Lunch, with our guest speaker Kelly Brown sharing insights and experiences from his illustrious rugby career. As a former Scotland international and seasoned professional, Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on the game that is sure to captivate our audience. Come and enjoy a delicious meal with fellow club members and the wider rugby community. Contact kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk for details and to book. Tables of 10 – 12, £70 per person.

Canterbury Second Best

Posted on | by David Haigh

DORKING 42 CANTERBURY 22

by David Haigh

In the lead up to this game Canterbury Head Coach Matt Corker challenged his squad to show they were capable of matching the top clubs in National 2 East. At third placed Dorking they failed to make their case against a side whose greater sharpness and accuracy produced seven tries. That try count was bettered only by eight yellow cards dished out by an official who was a stickler for the letter of the law but the flow of the game often suffered in consequence and it was Canterbury who paid the greater price on the scoreboard. After a bright start and a Frank Reynolds penalty goal, tries from Fraser Mosley and Jonny Ellis, and a Henry Anscombe conversion, gave Dorking the lead but a burst by Alex Evans and a corner flag try for Cameron Murray pegged them back. Then came yellow cards in quick succession for Jamie Stephens and Shay Kerry and the home side cashed in on penalties and superior numbers with tries from wing Will Sanders and lock Jasper King. Before half time it was Dorking’s turn to see yellow but any Canterbury chances were squandered as they were turned over in good positions and trailed by fifteen points at the break. The march to the sin bin soon got under way in the second half and with Tyler Oliver and Alfie Orris doing time Dorking began to pull away. The back division, crisp and certain in using possession provided by a mobile pack, did the damage with tries for scrum half George Jackson and centre Tom Howe before the final quarter. By comparison, Canterbury’s efforts to spread the attack looked clunky and in the 67th minute Dorking Number Eight Finn Osborne crowned an impressive display with his side’s seventh try. The hosts were handed the last two of those annoying yellow cards and the city side were able to register late, face saving scores through a penalty try and an overlap opportunity taken by Nathan Morris, converted beautifully by Reynolds. An Anscombe’s penalty goal completed Dorking’s points haul but had he produced a better day with the boot the victory would have been even more emphatic.

Canterbury; W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Morgan, T.Best, A.Orris (repl B.Law), F.Reynolds, T.Williams (repl B.Cooper), E.Lusher E.O’Donoghue (repl N.Morris), D.Herriott (repl D.Huntley), S.Kerry, J.Stephens, A.Evans (repl T.Mackenzie), C.Murray, T.Oliver

View match photos

v Dorking - 10 Feb 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton