Month: September 2024

Garry’s Hat Trick Not Enough

Posted on | by David Haigh

GUERNSEY RAIDERS 41 CANTERBURY 23

by Chris Fullbrook

With both sides unbeaten so far this season, Canterbury knew they were facing a stern test as they travelled to Guernsey for round 4 of their National 2 East campaign. It proved to be a trip beyond them as they failed to make the most of their chances, despite a hat trick of tries from wing Garry Jones.

The city side started the stronger of the two, going 8-0 up after five minutes through Jones’ first try and a Frank Reynolds penalty goal. The visitors should have gone further ahead but squandered opportunities when camped on the Guernsey try line as the home side stood resolute.

A penalty kick from Ciaran McGann, after a Canterbury indiscretion, was followed by a quick break and slick hands from the Guernsey back line allowing McGann to ghost through the defence to score and convert his own try. From here on the hosts didn’t let go of their lead. Jones did close the gap, scoring his and his team’s second try leaving the half-time score at 17-13 with Reynolds normally trusty boot unable to add the extras.

As in this season’s previous games, Canterbury became responsible for their own demise as the penalty count increased giving Guernsey the platform to put the game to bed. Three unanswered tries, two scored by back row Welch from catch and drive mauls and one from winger Smith and a McGann conversion took the Raiders lead out to 34-13.

Canterbury, however, did not roll over and enjoyed a purple patch in the third quarter of the game and pressure from their pack gave the opportunity for Frank Morgan to put Jones in at the corner for his hat-trick. Reynolds conversion from out wide and a further penalty gave the visiting side a glimmer of hope, but when a scoring chance was missed at a lineout two metres from the Guernsey line not only the win but also the prospect of valuable bonus points went begging.

To add insult to injury Guernsey had the last say of the match with a try from full-back Roberts, converted by McGann, to earn his side a-deserved victory.

With this loss Canterbury relinquished their position at the top of National 2 East and need to bounce back next week when they entertain one of the league’s newcomers Havant to the Marine Travel Ground.
Canterbury: H.Young, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, K.Heatherley, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, A.Cooper, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine. J.Stephens. S.Rogers, H.Furneaux, T.Oliver . Replacements, N.Morris, E.Lusher, P.Farrance, C.Thomas, M.Campbell.

View match photos

v Guernsey - 28 Sept 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Toughest Challenge

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PROSPECTS

Nine from nine! It has been a great start to the season across the 1st XV, Pilgrims & Canons and all still remain unbeaten three games in. This weekend the first team travel to Guernsey for our toughest challenge of the season so far. The journey does add an extra logistical dimension and Guernsey are also three out of three. It is an exciting battle so early on the season and if we look back to this fixture last season we were proud of the performance we put in, coming away with a win for the first time in recent history. Guernsey are in a much stronger place this season and we will need to raise our performance another level to experience the same success.
Against Worthing we took a noticeable step forward. We set our focus on improving our execution and we did that, reducing our penalty and turnover count. There is still more to do in these areas and going into a tougher contest on Saturday we will need to minimise the opportunities we give Guernsey. This game has come at a good time for us and I can’t wait to see the players rise to the challenge.

For those of you who saw the Pilgrims Friday night game against Ashford, you were treated to a close first half with only three points the difference before the Pilgrims found their stride finishing up 38-7 winners. Unfortunately, this week’s fixture against Charlton Park has been cancelled due to them being unable to raise a team. Charlton Park are a proud club with a long history running back to 1893 and it is a stark reminder of how many clubs are fighting against decreasing playing numbers. As a rugby community we need to keep working hard to find new ways to support each other for the good of the game.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Three From Three

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 49 WORTHING 21

by David Haigh

Three wins from three make this Canterbury’s best start for several seasons and this time their control produced seven tries against a Worthing team still looking for a first National 2 East victory. The city side made a statement of intent as early as the third minute with a try under the posts from Harvey Furneaux after Number Eight Tyler Oliver, playing his 100th game for the club, made the initial dent in the defence. Frank Reynolds, faultless from the tee all afternoon, converted and although a couple of penalty goals by Charlie Spencer kept the visitors in touch, by half time Canterbury had stretched away with another three tries and secured a bonus point. An obstruction, a penalty and a catch and drive joined and finished by wing Garry Jones, brought the second touchdown and when Worthing’s Kieran Tomlinson was yellow carded they paid the price. The extra space was quickly exploited with a try for centre Will Waddington and although Spencer had landed his third penalty goal Canterbury had something spectacular up their sleeves. A minute before the break scrum half Tom Williams found space and pace near his own 22 area and arced round the defence for the outstanding score of the day which pushed the lead to 28-9. Faced with an uphlll task Worthing produced their own bit of magic four minutes into the second half. Canterbury were in full attack mode when they spilled ball in the shadow of the posts and Worthing skipper Jack Forrest made a punishing break before Spencer scored at the other end and converted his try. Soon, however, the city side were building further pressure and this time they made no mistake as Williams went blind from a maul and sent Jones over for his second try. A yellow card for Furneaux handed Worthing the chance of a catch and drive score for Jimmy Staples but Canterbury’s control of possession gave them the taste for more as Waddington collected a Reynolds chip and opened the way for wing Max Campbell to sprint clear for his first league try. Flanker Chad Thomas powered across the line from close range for the final touchdown and table topping Canterbury now face their sternest challenge when they fly to Guernsey on Saturday to meet another unbeaten side.

Canterbury: H.Young, G.Jones, A.Moss, W.Waddington, K.Heatherley, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, O.Frostick, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, S.,Rogers, H.Furneaux, T.Olive. Replacements, A.Cooper, N.Morris, F.Morgan, C.Thomas, M.Campbell

View match photos

v Worthing - 21 Sept 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Work Still To Do

Posted on | by David Haigh

WEEKEND PROSPECTS

Two from two and six from six across the 1st XV, Pilgrims and Canons, not a bad start!

A result away at Sevenoaks is one that we have been hunting down for the past three seasons. Five points on the road, at a ground we haven’t won at in recent years is something that we are most definitely proud of, but on review we know there is still a lot to work on. We clocked up 16 penalties and 21 turnovers, a combined loss of possession that is double our target. Our lineout maul dominance and some emotional defence sets ultimately proved the difference, but we must be more effective with the ball if we want to play the brand of rugby that we are aiming for and show the improvements we believe we are making. This weekend against Worthing we will be focused on taking a big step forward in our attacking execution.

The Pilgrims ran out 43-17 winners against Sevenoaks 2nd XV in a convincing performance. They look to continue this strong form against Ashford tonight (Friday) 7.30pm kick off. The Pilgrims squad is full of players pushing for 1st XV places and this is driving the group forward every session we have together. The Pilgrims Friday night lights were unmissable evenings last season, and I fully expect the same from this one.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Owain Collins

Pilgrims Make It Derby Double

Posted on | by David Haigh

PILGRIMS 43 SEVENOAKS 2nd 17

by Dan Gill

Following last week’s victory at Crowborough, the Pilgrims opened their account at the MTG with a convincing victory over Sevenoaks in what has been a close affair in recent meetings.

Canterbury started brightly and set the tone for the day when they fielded the first kick off and began to drive Oaks back, using the forwards to good effect before looking to find width. After making their way deep into the Oaks 22, a penalty was conceded for not effectively clearing a ruck which was to become a common theme throughout the first half. It wasn’t long, however, before the Pilgrims endeavour was rewarded with the opening try. Outstanding defence from Henry Kenny and Yannick de Moubray forced the turnover and half backs Valladares and McMann sent waves of runners at the Oaks line before centre Sonny Trew-Neville battered his way over near the posts and Tom McMann converted.
The visitors responded immediately as the Pilgrims infringed at the ruck and their fly half stepped up to slot the first of his four penalty goals. His second duly followed after a high tackle was punished making the score closer than the balance of play suggested at 7-6.

Pilgrims picked up the pace and added a second try after good forward play led to Will Hunt forcing his way over from close range for a converted score. The Canterbury defence was proving difficult for Oaks to penetrate, but they kept in touch with two further penalty goals from their adept fly half who had shown himself able to punish any infringements in the Pilgrims own half. A positive response then produced some outstanding rugby. Fly half McMann made a half break and kept the ball alive with an offload that found its way to openside Jake Dengate who stepped off his right foot to burst through a gap. His deft chip was perfectly weighted and full back Jack Cohen didn’t have to break stride as he raced away to score by the posts, making the conversion a formality.

That was quickly followed by an outstanding individual try by young back Owain Collins who fielded a long kick deep in his own half before setting off on a jinking run that saw him beat numerous defenders and dotting down out wide. A great way to mark his first Pilgrims try on his competitive home debut. McMann’s conversion attempt from out wide came back off the post to bring the half to a close at 26-12.

Pilgrims were first on the score sheet after the interval with a first phase try that will put smiles on the coaches faces. The forwards won clean possession from a lineout and the ball was moved smartly to Sonny Trew-Neville who cut through the Oaks back line and his pass sent the supporting Adrian Geddes racing away to score.

Props Aaron Cooper and Elliott Lusher came to the fore with some strong runs forcing the visiting defence on to the back foot and supporters Man of the Match Collins then turned provider as his run and pass set up Cohen to add his second touchdown and take Pilgrims lead to 38-12.

To their credit Sevenoaks rallied and produced some good rugby to force a penalty which they kicked for the corner and scored from a well worked driving maul.
Not to be outdone, Pilgrims set up a driving maul of their own shortly after and captain Alex Evans dotted down for the seventh try of the day to complete a good team performance.

View match photos

Images may be subject to copyright – Ken Matcham

TOP OF THE TABLE

Posted on | by David Haigh

SEVENOAKS 14 CANTERBURY 27

by David Haigh

Canterbury lead the early National 2 East table with maximum points after a Kent derby victory which was set up in a dominant first half. At the break the city side were nineteen points clear and well in control but then had to dig in as Sevenoaks dominated possession and won the second half try count by two to one. That said, the result never looked seriously in doubt as Canterbury’s defence passed most of the tests and a breakout ten minutes from the end brought a bonus point try which sealed the result. They seized the initiative early in the game and scrum half Presley Farrance rewarded his forwards pressure by sniping over for the opening try after only twelve minutes. With ‘Oaks on the back foot the situation was ripe for exploitation but Canterbury’s biggest obstacle was their own lack of focus. Too often they lost the ball in contact and an over-anxious back line lacked fluency. A yellow card for home skipper Scott Sedgwick on the half hour, however, opened the way for a second try as wing Garry Jones joined a powerful rolling maul to make the touchdown. It wasn’t until the final minute of the half that another score came and again it was the pack that did the spadework before Chad Thomas plunged over for his first try for the club. Reynolds slotted a second conversion but there was a feeling that the team had left points out there. That became plainer as Sevenoaks began to get a strong foothold in the game but were never clinical enough to make best use of their possession. One the few clean line breaks of the afternoon was then made by city captain Jamie Stephens but the try went begging for want of a final pass and Canterbury had to settle for a Reynolds penalty goal. After that it was mostly a matter of containment. Sedgwick registered the home side’s first try, converted by George Montgomery, after 60 minutes, but even though Kurt Heatherley was sin binned Canterbury found a positive reply and an overhead pass saw Sam Rogers canter over unopposed. The closing minutes belonged to Oaks but their only success was Sedgwick’s second converted try, from a driving maul, when the game was beyond their reach.

Canterbury: H.Young, M.Campbell, A.Moss, F.Morgan, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, C.Macmillan, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, H.Furneaux, T.Oliver. Replacements: O.Frostick, S.Rogers, N.Morris, K.Heatherley, T.Williams,

View match photos

v Sevenoaks - 14 Sept 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

BEST NEEDED AT SEVENOAKS

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PROSPECTS

Last season we didn’t get off to the start we wanted with an opening-day loss against this week’s opposition, so starting strongly has been a key focus during preseason. Scoring 50 points at home, even considering it was Colchester’s first game in National 2, is a result we can be proud of. There were some fantastic team efforts and standout individual tries that built the score. That said, we’re not getting ahead of ourselves — there is plenty to work on and we know we must improve week by week to build a winning habit.

Sevenoaks away has been a tough fixture for us in recent seasons, as local derbies often are. Over the last two years our performances in this match have been below our own expectations and we have come up short on both occasions. This year, we’re determined to change that and we know we need to be at our best. Saturday will be a great measure of how far we have come.

The Pilgrims also put last season behind them, contributing to a clean sweep for the Men’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd XV. Crowborough have been tough to beat at home over the past two seasons so leaving with a win is a brilliant result for the Pilgrims to build on. The Cannons kicked off their Counties 4 Kent campaign in style with a commanding 60-12 win over Medway’s 3rd XV, no mean feat as the league’s new boys.

The Pilgrims are the other half of this week’s double-header against Sevenoaks and will be looking to keep up their momentum at home on Saturday.

Matt Corker. Head Coach

Around the Ground

Around the Ground at the MTG

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

The 2024/25 season has returned with a bang! Three senior teams were out last Saturday bringing home three victories. We also had an exciting demonstration of Wheelchair Rugby from our Hellfires team who were joined by representatives from Crawley Jets and Brighton Buccaneers. Hellfire player Owain West was presented with a new wheelchair by Steve Brown, former captain of the GB wheelchair rugby squad and Hellfires Lead Coach. The custom built wheelchairs run into thousands of pounds and thanks to a deposit paid through money left to Owain from his granddad Barrie West, and funding from Cauldwell Children, Owain now has his own chair, leaving a club chair vacant for whoever wants to give this exhilarating and fast paced sport a try.

Continued support for the club from our business partners is so important, and with that we would like to thank Quinn Estates (Match Sponsor), City Contractors LTD (Ball Sponsor), East Kent Recycling Ltd and Gray Plant Hire (Lunch Sponsors) for their generous support on Saturday.

Our fantastic home game online live stream was brought to us by MMS-360 (Streaming Partner) and powered by OrbitalNet (Network Partner). The full match can be watched back at https://cantrugby-live.uk.

Last weekend’s scores

Canterbury 53 – 13 Colchester
Crowborough 15 – 21 Pilgrims
Canons 60 – 12 Medway III

Tonbridge Juddians 28 – 31 Canterbury U18 1st XV

This weekend’s fixtures and training

Saturday 14/09

Sevenoaks v 1st XV – Away KO 3.00pm
Pilgrims v Sevenoaks 2nds – Home KO 3.00pm
Sheppey v Canons – Away KO 3.00pm
Deacons v Sheppey 2nds – Home KO 3.00pm
Zingari v New Ash Green 2nds  – Home KO 3.00pm

Sunday 15/09

Horsham Women v Canterbury Women – Away KO TBC

Mini and Youth

U6 – Main Pitch Deadball area –  9.00am to 10.00am
U7- Grids – 9.00am to 10.00am
U8- Langton 4G – 9.00am to 10.30am
U9- Langton 4G – 9.30am to 10.00am
U10- Top Orchard – 9.00am to 10.30am
U11- Bottom Orchard – 9.00am to10:30am
U12- Training Pitch 10:30am to 12.00pm
U13- v London Irish, Bottom Orchard – 12.00pm KO
U14- Top Orchard – 10:30 to 12.00pm
U15- Top Pitch – 10:30 to 12.00pm
U16- Langton 4G from 10:30am
Colts 2nds v Thanet, Main Pitch – 12.00pm KO
Girls U12-U16 v Thanet (A)
Girls U18 v Old Alleynians (A)

Canterbury Rugby Club and Marine Travel extend a warm welcome to all visiting teams, players, and supporters.

Pre-match lunches

There are still places and tables available at our home game pre-match lunches. Food, drink, raffle, auction, and good company before home games. What’s not to like?

21-Sep-24 Worthing
05-Oct-24 Havant
12-Oct-24 Westcombe Park
26-Oct-24 Barnes
16-Nov-24 Bury St Edmunds
07-Dec-24 Oxford Harlequins
21-Dec-24 Sevenoaks
18-Jan-25 Guernsey
15-Feb-25 Tonbridge Juddians
08-Mar-25 Old Albanian
22-Mar-25 Henley

Contact kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk to book a place or a table of 8 – 12

Memberships

If you still haven’t renewed your club membership, now is the time to do it. All members must renew through the RFU GMS system. Details are available on the memberships page of the club website – https://cantrugby.co.uk/membership/

Alternatively, Sally will be at the Club to help Tues- 10th, Wed 11th, (6.00pm-7.00pm) Thurs 12th (6.30pm – 7.00pm), Sat 21st Worthing at home from 1.00pm -3.00pm.

You can also email members@cantrugby.co.uk. Associate members and season ticket holders will receive a card in the post. If this has not been received by 18th September please email Sally. Black membership cards will continue to give a discount at the bar/shop and Saucy Flo’s but will no longer give access to the ground on match days. That will be by Season card only. Age grade members can collect their cards from Sally on Sunday morning or during the midweek evening training at the times mentioned. All Seniors cards will be issued through the coaches.

Save the date!

Along with LGT Wealth Management, we are once again hosting our famous City Lunch at Smith & Wollensky on November 20th, 2024 at noon.

Lawrence Dallaglio OBE will be the guest speaker, and the cost will be £125 per person including a drink on arrival and wine with your lunch. For more details contact kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk

 

We wish you all the best of rugby!

Pilgrims Take Revenge

Posted on | by David Haigh

Crowborough 15 Canterbury Pilgrims 21

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims opened their Counties 1 Kent title defence with a tough fixture at Steel cross where they lost their 17-game winning run towards the end of last season against a Crowborough side who have been unbeaten at home for over a year. This time they took revenge
The opening minutes were even until Crowborough capitalised on a clear knock on missed by the official to score under the posts making the conversion a formality, giving the home side a 7-0 lead.
The Pilgrims drew level quickly after a well worked line out on the Crow’s 22 saw openside flanker Jake Dengate pick a good line, make a strong run and crash over for the try which fly half Tom McMann converted.
Crowborough were trying to apply pressure but were met with a defensive wall that was proving difficult to break down, with tackles flying in from forwards and backs alike. The home side were the next to score, however, but only after Canterbury were reduced to 14 after hard hitting back row forward Henry Kenny was adjudged to have infringed at the breakdown and received a yellow card. Sonny Trew-Neville had to step into the scrum from the wing and Crowborough utilised good handling skills to exploit the space he had left and score in the corner to make it 12-7 at half time.
After the restart and having returned to a full complement, Pilgrims looked to reassert themselves and came close to scoring after a strong run from full back Jack Cohen, but simple handling errors and mistakes were making the side masters of their own downfall. Crowborough punished some poor breakdown work with a penalty goal before the Pilgrims came back strongly. Captain Alex Evans lead from the front all day with some thunderous tackling and direct running and it was he who had the ball over the line out wide after good work from forwards and backs. He broke from a maul and dived over but the referee saw a cynical infringement in the process and awarded a penalty try.
The home side came close to scoring shortly afterwards, but some dogged defence on their own goal line saw Pilgrims scrum half Hector Valladares latching onto the ball and forcing the penalty after stopping numerous drives.
Pilgrims then had their best spell of the game and an organised driving maul gave the backs a platform and they moved the ball from one side of the pitch to the other to send wing Adrian Geddes over in the corner. Jack Cohen stepped up to slot the touchline conversion to give his side the lead for the first time with eight minutes remaining.
A boisterous home crowd did their best to spur Crow’s into a response, but Pilgrims defence continued to drive them back and only a last ditch tackle on prop James Everatt stopped a further Canterbury score. The Pilgrims showed great determination to avenge last season’s big loss and end Crowborough’s fine home record.

SEVEN TRY BLAST

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 53 COLCHESTER 13

by David Haigh

This thumping victory gave Canterbury an ideal start to the new National 2 East league season. They dominated all areas as they crushed the league newcomers with a blast of seven tries. Although Head Coach Matt Corker said afterwards that there is still work to do he has plenty of talent at his disposal as he looks to smooth any rough edges. The city side’s forwards quickly took control and thirteen points in the first twenty minutes, through Cameron Macmillan’s catch and drive try and a conversion and two Frank Reynolds penalty goals, set the pattern. A Corey Button penalty goal put Colchester on the scoreboard but they were soon learning that life at a higher level will need serious adjustment. Their failure to contain a vibrant Canterbury backs division cost them dearly as Aiden Moss and Garry Jones scored converted tries to push the lead out to 27-3 at half time. The punishment was piled on early in the second half as two expertly marshalled catch and drives brought hooker Eoin O’Donoghue, who enjoyed an outstanding a game, a brace of tries. Colchester’s best spell was born of their ability to read Canterbury errors and a couple of unwise passes were intercepted to give the visitors rare attacking territory. Tries from Mike Stanway and Leroy O’Neil brought them temporary relief but in the last quarter it was business as usual for Canterbury. Frank Morgan sold a neat dummy to get his side’s sixth try and and a brilliant individual effort from replacement scrum half Tom Williams, which started in his own half, rounded off this impressive performance. Eighteen points from the boot of Reynolds, six conversions and two penalty goals, set last season’s top league points scorer firmly on his way once again.
Canterbury: H.Young, G.Jones, A.Moss, F.Morgan, M.Campbell, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, C.Macmillan, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, H.Furneaux, T.Oliver. Replacements: N.Morris, O.Frostick, S.Rogers, T.Williams. K.Heatherley