Month: April 2025

Around the Ground

Around the Ground at the MTG

Posted on | by Vikings U12

As the season draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on what has been one of the most remarkable campaigns in our club’s proud history. From Minis to Seniors, at every level of the Black & Amber journey, there has been something to celebrate – from hosting county tournaments for the first time, to exacting revenge in hard-fought rematches, and of course, lifting multiple league titles and championship trophies.

There’s never been a better time to be part of Canterbury Rugby Club.

As we look to the future, change is inevitable, and we’ll be sharing more about that in the final issue of Around the Ground later this season. But one farewell deserves special mention now – the imminent departure of Ted Phillips and the end of an era with Saucy Flo’s.

Ted joined the club 25 years ago and has been at the heart of nearly every event we’ve hosted – from pre-match lunches in the marquee, to steak and curry nights in the clubhouse, and post-match meals for players young and old. His food has fuelled generations of players and helped bring our community together week in, week out.

So next time you see him, shake his hand and wish him well. As the saying goes, an army marches on its stomach – and the Black & Amber march has certainly been made all the more enjoyable thanks to the brilliant service of Ted and his team at Saucy Flo’s.

Watch this space though, in June we will be taking the club’s catering function back in house.

Scores roundup

1st XV 42 – 35 Dorking: Two late tries from a dominant Canterbury pack sealed a thrilling victory over Dorking and guaranteed the city side a fourth-place finish in National 2 East – their best in three seasons. The result also ended Dorking’s hopes of a league title, handing the crown to fellow Kent side Tonbridge Juddians.

A bumper crowd at the Marine Travel Ground were treated to a pulsating contest featuring ten tries, four lead changes, and emotional farewells for long-serving club legends Tom Best and Danny Herriott, who both made their final home appearances.

Canterbury built an early 13-0 lead through two Frank Reynolds penalties and a try for Frank Morgan, set up by a sharp Harry Sloan kick following a Dorking handling error. But the visitors responded strongly, and by half-time had edged ahead 21-20, despite a stunning solo effort from Aiden Moss, who carved through the defence from 45 metres.

The second half followed the same end-to-end pattern. Dorking’s Bryan Hotston crossed early on, but after a Reynolds penalty and a yellow card for the visitors’ captain Will Scholes, momentum began to shift. Harry Sloan capitalised on the change in pack power with a try, only for Dorking to hit back immediately via Henry Anscombe.

But the final ten minutes belonged to the Black and Ambers. With their forwards in full flow, Tyler Oliver and Eoin O’Donoghue both crashed over from driving mauls to complete an epic comeback and a memorable home finale.

A fitting end to a fantastic campaign – and a fond farewell for two club stalwarts.

U23’s Prodigals 27 – 24 Sevenoaks U23’s: The Prodigals claimed their first win of the season in dramatic style with a hard-fought 27-24 victory over a quick and physical Sevenoaks side, showing grit and determination to overturn an early deficit.

After a heavy loss earlier in the season to Tonbridge Juddians U23s, the squad regrouped and came out firing. The match opened at a blistering pace with both teams trading breaks, but it was Sevenoaks who struck first, capitalising on a resolute but stretched Prodigals defence.

A second try for the visitors threatened to open the floodgates, but captain Isaac Divine powered over to pull one back, narrowing the gap to 5-14. Canterbury’s physicality began to tell, and a dominant spell saw Emmanuel Fisher bulldoze over from a quick-tap penalty, followed by a try from Patrick McCully to give the home side a slender 15-14 half-time lead.

The second half continued at high intensity, with both teams vying for control. Divine and Lucas Eule led by example, putting in huge shifts in contact and providing the platform for two more scores, allowing Canterbury to edge ahead in a thrilling encounter.

Sevenoaks pushed hard to the final whistle, but the Black & Ambers held firm to secure a well-deserved and long-awaited victory.

Canterbury Colts A 29 – 22 Sidcup:

Canterbury Colts B: Goblet runners up – Kent Colts 7’s

Next fixtures

Friday

Canterbury Colts Year 13 Leavers v CRFC ACE Barbarians Home – Friday Night Lights KO 7.00pm

Saturday

Canterbury Sin Binners v RC Emmen Home: KO 2.00pm

The will be no Mini & Youth activity due to it being Easter Weekend.

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

Big Chop Raises Big Money

Mention 1st XV player Kurt Heatherley around the club and you’ll usually hear, “Oh, the fella with the massive hair.” Well – not anymore!

Last Saturday, Kurt took to the stage in the Marquee and had his famous locks shaved off, all in support of Donations With a Difference. In the build-up, it was impossible to miss the flurry of fundraising activity, with Ella Brocklebank doing an outstanding job raising awareness and encouraging donations across the club.

Come 5.00pm, all eyes were on Kurt and Martyn from Chaps Male Grooming, who was prepped and ready with clippers in hand. The initial target was £7,000 – a bold goal. But by the time the final curl hit the floor, the running total had rocketed past expectations to an incredible £12,352.

A phenomenal achievement and a shining example of what happens when the rugby family rallies together. Huge congratulations to Kurt, Ella, and everyone who donated – you’ve truly made a difference.

Canterbury RFC May Ball – A night to remember!

Mark your calendars for Friday, 23rd May 2025, as Canterbury RFC hosts its much-anticipated May Ball – an evening of elegance, entertainment, and celebration!

Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner, followed by a night of dancing, games, and live music from FNKHAUS, delivering dancefloor fillers, club classics, and party anthems. The evening will also feature an auction, dodgems, a 360° photobooth, and more to keep the party atmosphere alive.

Date: Friday, 23rd May 2025
Dress Code: Black Tie
Dinner: 7.30pm (arrival from 6.30pm)
Carriages: 1.00am
Tickets: £80 per person

Don’t miss out on this fantastic event—book your place now! Contact Kirsty at kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk to secure your tickets.

Parking at the MTG

We are grateful to the MS Centre next door for allowing us to use their car park to help ease parking congestion. However, please be aware that on Sundays between 8:00 am and 11:00 am, their spaces will not be available for rugby club use. It is important that we respect this arrangement, as continued misuse could result in the loss of our parking privileges.

Additionally, we have noticed that some vehicles have been parked in the disabled bays at the club without displaying a Blue Badge. These spaces are reserved for disabled club users to provide them with the easiest access to our facilities. If a Blue Badge is not visible, we will request that the vehicle be moved.

To assist with parking awareness, any vehicles incorrectly parked in restricted areas will be displayed on the clubhouse screen. Please check before leaving your car to avoid any inconvenience.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that parking remains fair and accessible for all.

We wish you all the best of rugby!

Canterbury Pack Late Punch

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 42 DORKING 35

by David Haigh

Two tries in the closing ten minutes from a rampaging Canterbury pack finally settled a pulsating game in which the result always hung in the balance. This victory guarantees the city club will end the National 2 East campaign in fourth place, their highest position for three seasons. It also extinguished Dorking’s hopes of taking the league title which now goes to Kent side Tonbridge Juddians. A magnificent crowd at the Marine Travel Ground had plenty to entertain them with some outstanding individual tries among the ten shared by the teams, the lead changing hands four times and a final home appearance for retiring Canterbury stalwarts Tom Best and Danny Herriott. In a cagey opening quarter, two Frank Reynolds penalty goals and a converted Frank Morgan try built a thirteen point lead. The try came from a Dorking handling error with Harry Sloan kicking the loose ball on to set up the score. That stirred the visitors and a powerful finish from lock Jasper King and the first of Henry Anscombe’s five conversions sparked the tit for tat nature of what followed. Next, came a great score from city full back Aiden Moss who returned a clearance kick by skewering every defender in a 45 metre run to the posts. Reynolds again obliged but by half time Dorking had crept into a single point lead. They made a catch and drive position pay with a try from Callum Watson and, two minutes before the break, full back Max Coyle matched Moss’s effort with a brilliant run and finish. There was further trouble for Canterbury after the restart when Dorking worked blind side space for wing Bryan Hotston’s try. Reynolds third penalty goal shaved three points off the visitors lead after Dorking skipper Will Scholes’ was handed a yellow card, a subtle shift in the the balance of pack power gave Canterbury fresh momentum and opened the way for Sloan’s try from a close quarter lineout. That brought an immediate response as Anscombe grabbed Dorking’s fifth touchdown to restore a five point lead, but then came the decisive late stages when Canterbury’s forwards took control. On 71 minutes a driving maul carried Tyler Oliver over the line, Reynolds converted, and with three minutes remaining they did a repeat performance as Eoin O’Donoghue’s try closed out an absorbing match.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.De Vries, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, C.McGovern, T.Oliver. Replacements: H.Kenny, D.Herriott, C.Macmillan, T.Best, W.Calder

View match photos

v Dorking - 12 April 2025

Photos may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

AN EXCITING SATURDAY

Posted on | by David Haigh

MATCH PREVIEW
Scoring over sixty points in a national league game is something we will always take pride in. At Oxford, during our conversation at halftime, we weren’t satisfied with the number of points we had conceded and the players set the goal of allowing zero tries in the second half. While we may not have achieved that target, conceding once in the seventy-first minute, the defence in the early exchanges of the second forty set the tone. Under pressure, we put in an important defensive set to ensure that Oxford didn’t score first after the break and we went on to finish extremely strongly.

This has set up a very exciting Saturday tomorrow. Dorking sit second in the table and are on a seven game winning run. With it being our last home game of the season and sponsors day, this is always a great occasion and the fixture has all the ingredients of a great game. Both teams have plenty to play for and the squad are focused on putting in our best performance of the season.

The Pilgrims rounded off their season with a win, battling from behind to finish in style. With the squad stretched, which included Jon Foster making an appearance in the starting lineup, the team showed growth from last season. In this fixture a year ago, after similarly winning the league, the Pilgrims travelled to Beccehamians and lost 63-0. To be in the same position, missing a good number of players and still deliver a result shows the resilience that has been built into this team. It will put them in good stead for when they kick off next season in Regional 2

Matt Corker Head Coach.

Around the Ground

Around the Ground at the MTG

Posted on | by Vikings U12

Here’s a stat for you to savour: The RFU structure in England comprises a total of approximately 2099 clubs. There are only 5 clubs in the RFU structure to have two teams in the top 284. Canterbury Rugby Football Club is one of the 5.

Scores roundup

Oxford Harlequins 29 – 66 1st XV: Canterbury delivered a dominant display on the road, running in ten tries in a 66–29 victory over Oxford Harlequins. The win featured hat-tricks for Tyler Oliver and Harry Sloan, with the city side thriving once again on a 4G pitch – the second time this season they’ve notched over 60 points on artificial turf.

After conceding the first try, Canterbury quickly found their rhythm, building pressure through powerful carries and slick handling. They secured the bonus point before half time with scores from Oliver (3), Garry Jones, Frank Morgan, and Eoin O’Donohue, taking a 38–24 lead into the break.

The second half was all Canterbury, with Sloan running superb lines to complete his hat-trick, and replacements making an immediate impact. Tom Best’s clever kick set up Charlie McGovern for the final try of the afternoon.

Despite a few bright moments from Harlequins, including a late score while Oliver was in the sin bin, this was a match where Canterbury’s class and control shone through – a statement performance in the Oxford sunshine.

Pilgrims 38 – 22 Crowborough: The Pilgrims rounded off their title-winning season in dramatic fashion, overturning a 15-point half-time deficit to beat a spirited Crowborough side 38–22 at the Marine Travel Ground.

With the Counties 1 title already secured, the visitors looked set to spoil the celebrations, racing into a 10–0 lead and extending it to 22–7 by the break. Canterbury’s only first-half score came from Owain Collins, who added the extras after bursting through the defence.

But after some strong words from departing coach – and player on the day – Jon ‘Foz’ Foster, the Pilgrims came out firing in the second half, producing a 31-point unanswered blitz to keep their two-season unbeaten home record intact.

Aidan Demery crossed twice, including one set up by a dazzling break from Guy Hilton in his final appearance before heading overseas. Tries from Al Evans and Sonny Trew-Neville followed, before Isaac Divine powered over in the final moments to cap the comeback. Fittingly, Foster slotted the final conversion to seal the win on his farewell outing.

A remarkable finish to a remarkable season for the Pilgrims – champions once again and ready to step up to Level 6 rugby next season.

Medway 12 – 34 Canons: The Canons wrapped up their championship-winning season in emphatic fashion, securing a 34–12 away victory over Medway 3s to claim the Counties 4 Kent title.

Despite a scrappy start and early Medway try, the Canons regrouped with scores from Harry Nicholson and Jake Forrest to take a narrow 10–5 lead into the break. The second half saw a sharper, more composed performance, with Will Rayner bagging a brilliant hat-trick and Vaughan Meredith adding another. Liam Browne added the extras where the wind allowed.

Special thanks go to Ryan Flockhart and Jake Upward, who both plan to retire at the end of the season after years of outstanding service to the squad.

The win seals a second consecutive promotion for the Canons, who will move up to Counties 3 Kent for the 2025/26 season – their biggest challenge yet!

Deacons 31 – 30 Deal 2nds: After a tough away defeat earlier in the season, the Deacons welcomed Deal to the Marine Travel Ground determined to settle the score. With several Colts away on tour and university players unavailable, the squad was built around Deacons stalwarts, bolstered by a touch of Zingari experience.

From the first whistle, it was a tightly contested affair, with the home side putting in a huge defensive effort. George Stevenson was at the heart of it, causing chaos through the centre and once again proving himself to be a phenomenal asset to the team. The Deacons’ forwards were solid in the scrum and set piece, laying the foundation to build a narrow lead by half-time.

The second half brought challenges, with injuries and a yellow card reducing the home side’s numbers. Deal were quick to take advantage, clawing their way back into the game and setting up a tense final 10 minutes. But the Deacons held firm, showing tactical dominance and remarkable composure under pressure to grind out a well-earned one-point victory.

Newcomer Zeek impressed on debut, showing pace, power and plenty of promise for the future. At fly-half, Dan directed the backline with confidence, and the club will be eager to see more of him next season.

Man of the Match: George Stevenson.

Canterbury Women 30 – 26 Horsham Women

Haagsche RC 14 – 47 Colts 1st XV

Haagsche RC 26 – 33 Colts 2nd XV

Next fixtures

Final home game of the season – 12th April

This Saturday, 12th April, the 1st XV will host their final home game of the season against title-chasing Dorking. It promises to be a fantastic match, so don’t miss it!

post-match charity head shave

After the game, Kurt ‘The Hair Bear’ Heatherley will be having his hair cut in aid of Donations with a Difference. The honours will be done by Martyn from Chaps in the marquee – all for a great cause! Please show your support and donate via this link – https://www.justgiving.com/page/kurt-head-shave

live music, food & post-match party

The celebrations continue with live music from Dune at 5:30pm, followed by Dixie spinning the tunes for a lively end of season party that will run until 9:30pm. Joining us for the evening is Hide and Greek, serving up delicious street food from their wagon.

Please note: the clubhouse bar will close at 5:30pm, so make your way up to the marquee and keep the party going!

Saturday 12th April
1st XV v Dorking Home – KO 3.00pm
Boys U16’s v Uttoxeter Simon Langton 4G – KO 12.00pm

Sunday 13th April
Canterbury u23’s (prodigals) v Sevenoaks U23’s main pitch – KO 2.00pm

Minis
Mixed U6’s grids  – 9.00am to 10.00am
Mixed U7’s grids –  9.00am to 10.00am
Mixed U8’s top orchard – 9.00am to 10.00am
Mixed U9’s main pitch – 9.00am to 10.30am
Mixed U10’s bottom orchard – 9.00am to 10.30am
Mixed U11’s top orchard – 9.00am to 10.30am

Youth
Boys U12’s v Old Alleynians Top Orchard – KO 11.00am
Boys U13’s tour – Portugal
Boys U14’s v Maidstone Bottom orchard  – KO 11.00am
Boys U15’s 7’s festival – Folkestone
Colts 7’s Festival – Ashford

Please check the Mini & Youth webpages for updates

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

Canterbury RFC May Ball – A night to remember!

Mark your calendars for Friday, 23rd May 2025, as Canterbury RFC hosts its much-anticipated May Ball – an evening of elegance, entertainment, and celebration!

Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner, followed by a night of dancing, games, and live music from FNKHAUS, delivering dancefloor fillers, club classics, and party anthems. The evening will also feature an auction, dodgems, a 360° photobooth, and more to keep the party atmosphere alive.

Date: Friday, 23rd May 2025
Dress Code: Black Tie
Dinner: 7.30pm (arrival from 6.30pm)
Carriages: 1.00am
Tickets: £80 per person

Don’t miss out on this fantastic event—book your place now! Contact Kirsty at kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk to secure your tickets.

Parking at the MTG

We are grateful to the MS Centre next door for allowing us to use their car park to help ease parking congestion. However, please be aware that on Sundays between 8:00 am and 11:00 am, their spaces will not be available for rugby club use. It is important that we respect this arrangement, as continued misuse could result in the loss of our parking privileges.

Additionally, we have noticed that some vehicles have been parked in the disabled bays at the club without displaying a Blue Badge. These spaces are reserved for disabled club users to provide them with the easiest access to our facilities. If a Blue Badge is not visible, we will request that the vehicle be moved.

To assist with parking awareness, any vehicles incorrectly parked in restricted areas will be displayed on the clubhouse screen. Please check before leaving your car to avoid any inconvenience.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that parking remains fair and accessible for all.

We wish you all the best of rugby!

 

Champion spirit sees Pilgrims finish season with win

Posted on | by Vikings U12

Pilgrims 38 – 22 Crowborough

Pilgrims welcomed Crowborough to the MTG for their final game of the season having secured a third successive league title last time out against Heathfield & Waldron. Crowborough are always a tough nut to crack and they showed they meant business when slick handling saw them register the afternoon’s first score with a try out wide which meant a difficult conversion was missed. The Pilgrims were struggling to get going and found themselves a further score down after a series of penalties gave the visitors good field position and their strong running forwards crashed over for a second unconverted score. Canterbury finally clicked into gear,  began stringing some phases together and after a series of direct drives, space opened up for Owain Collins to accelerate through a gap and score and then add the extras. Crowborough showed their class with a well worked response  as they exploited missed tackles and ill discipline and added two further scores to secure a bonus point and open up a 22-7  half time lead.  After some stern words from departing coach (and player for the day) Jon ‘Foz’ Foster, the Pilgrims, spurred on by the home support, produced an excellent second half display that saw them score 31 unanswered points  to ensure their two season long unbeaten home record remained intact.  Aidan Demery was picked out well by returning fly half Tom McMann after some excellent running by Guy Hilton in his last appearance before moving to sunnier climbs, for the first of his two tries  Al Evans crashed over to secure the bonus point. An excellent run by Sonny Trew-Neville looked to be stopped short but he managed to get the ball down in heavy traffic to make it 31-22.  In the dying moments Foster thought he’d scored with a pick and go from close range, only for the referee to bring play back for an infringement. From the resulting penalty Isaac Divine was driven over for Pilgrims sixth try to put the gloss on a fine comeback. Foster, fittingly, stepped up to add the conversion and complete the victory.
Pilgrims: Everatt, Demery, Morris, Hunt, McCormack, Rothery, Divine, Evans, Valladares, McMann, Geddes, T Halliday, Collins, Trew-Neville, G Hilton, Gill, Lister, Foster.

View match photos

Pilgrims v Crowborough - 5 April 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Hat Trick Day at Oxford

Posted on | by David Haigh

OXFORD HARLEQUINS 29 CANTERBURY 66

by David Haigh

A commanding performance in the Oxford sunshine brought Canterbury ten tries with hat tricks for Number Eight Tyler Oliver and centre Harry Sloan. Fast, 4G pitches clearly suit the city side as this was the second time this season they have scored over sixty points on the artificial surfaces. After conceding the game’s first try they gradually flexed their muscles, upped their pace to secure a bonus point by half time, then stretched away impressively after the break. They repaired the damage of the early set back with Eoin O’Donohue given space to send Frank Morgan over for the try and Frank Reynolds knocking over the first of his eight conversions. Quins briefly added to Ben Venede’s early score with a catch and drive effort by Jim Roberts, converted by Jamie Whitwell, but that was the last time they enjoyed the lead. Canterbury went to work in expert fashion, putting the squeeze on at the set pieces, carrying hard to create breaks and rattling in three tries in a five minute spell. Oliver, twice, and Garry Jones were the scorers. Quins, lively with the ball in hand despite their defensive problems, staged a mini revival with tries from Jamie Fox and Dave Manning and a Whitwell conversion, but by the end of the half Oliver had grabbed his third from a catch and drive and O’Donoghue’s touchdown pushed the lead to 38-24. From that position a Canterbury side with the breeze at their backs were totally dominant. The second half was full of things to admire, from Reynolds’ 50/22 kick which set up position for Sloan’s first try; the great angles run by the centre for his second and third scores and the effective contribution of the bench replacements. one of whom, Tom Best, had a hand and a foot in two scores. His recognition of space and accurate kick was chased down by Charlie McGovern for the tenth try. Before that, Quins got a consolation score through Ben Bodinham, after Oliver was yellow carded, but this was a day when Canterbury’s class told.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan. W.Waddington, H.Sloan, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.Stephens, J.De Vries, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: C.McGovern, D.Herriott, C.Macmillan, T.Best, W.Calder

View Match Photos

Images may be subject to copyright – Les Gordon Photography

PILGRIMS ROSE TO CHALLENGE

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

The Pilgrims were crowned the Counties 1 Kent winners for the second season running. They did this with a week to spare thanks to their win away at Heathfield and Waldron. The big difference this year is that next season, they will be allowed to take promotion and play in Regional 2. This is a fantastic achievement and the Pilgrims have by no means had it all their own way, fighting hard throughout the campaign. I think the challenge of repeating success shouldn’t be underestimated and Jon Foster has led the lads all the way to another title win. The challenge of playing in the league above next season is exactly what the Pilgrims, and the club, need as we continue to grow as a place where players of all abilities can develop on and off the pitch.

The 1st XV had a good result of their own, beating Henley for the first time since before Covid. We have endured some painful one-point losses in recent fixtures but the players put in an eighty-minute performance to come from behind in the second half and seal the win. The forwards showed how much our maul has improved, scoring two tries from drives and being very close to a third. Frank Morgan scored two of his own and the players put in a good performance across the board.

To maintain our fourth position we must continue to deliver winning performances. Traveling to Oxford Harlequins on Saturday will be another test. They have averaged 37 points per game over the last seven games and we know our defence will be put under the microscope. This is an area where we have shown great improvements this season and, after a week off, the players are feeling fresh and looking forward the game in front of us.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Around the Ground

Around the Ground at the MTG

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Scores roundup

Zingari 19 – 48 Whitstable 2nds: It was always going to be a tough game, with the last meeting between these two sides narrowly going Whitstable’s way. The Zingari were eager for another shot at them, but with the league title on the line, Whitstable fielded a very strong 2nd XV team – a sign of the gruelling 80 minutes that lay ahead for the Black & Amber.

Despite suffering three injuries and using up the replacements bench, Zingari held their own in the first half, going into the break trailing by just seven points at 19-12. However, disaster struck early in the second half when Mark Stone suffered a broken tibia, forcing him to be stretchered off. With all the injuries, Zingari were forced to reshuffle their lineup, moving players out of position to fill the gaps.

Meanwhile, Whitstable introduced four fresh substitutes, using their extra legs to take control of the game. Despite their mounting challenges, Zingari refused to back down, pressing as much as they could until the final whistle. Whitstable may have secured the win, but Zingari left the pitch with their pride intact, showing true resilience in the face of adversity.

Colts Dragons 55 – 28 Sevenoaks

Kent U20 28 – 22 Hertfordshire: Kent U20s kicked off their Jason Leonard U20s campaign with a battling 28-22 victory over Hertfordshire at Blackheath RFC on Sunday, 30th March. The squad featured six Canterbury RFC players: Owain Collins, Aidan Demery, Max McCormack, Isaac Divine, Brett Smith, and Bartholomew Johnson.

Kent took an early lead with a try after just five minutes, but Hertfordshire hit back before Aidan Demery powered over from a driving maul to restore Kent’s advantage. A well-worked backline move extended Kent’s lead before half-time, with Bart Johnson providing the assist for a try that made it 15-5 at the break.

The second half saw both sides exchanging penalties and tries, with Demery securing his second of the day from another lineout drive. Canterbury’s Brett Smith also got on the scoresheet, finishing off a break from Owain Collins, who later added a penalty to extend Kent’s lead. Despite a late Hertfordshire fightback, Kent held on to secure the win.

Kent’s next pool game is against Hampshire at Havant on Sunday, 11th May.

Canterbury RFC players on the scoresheet:

Aidan Demery – 2 tries
Brett Smith – 1 try
Owain Collins – 1 penalty

A strong start for Kent – best of luck for the next match!

Next fixtures

Saturday 5th April
Oxford Harlequins v 1st XV Away – KO 3.00pm
Pilgrims v Crowborough Home – KO 3.00pm
Medway v Canons Away – KO 2.15pm
Deacons v Deal 2nds Home– KO 3.00pm
Zingari v Faversham 2nds Home – Cancelled

Pilgrims Set for Season Finale and Promotion Celebration

This Saturday, Pilgrims welcome Crowborough to the Marine Travel Ground for their final game of the Counties 1 season – a match that marks the end of a truly remarkable campaign.

Having secured promotion to Regional 2 South East (Level 6) for 2025/26, the Pilgrims have achieved a milestone few clubs can boast. In fact, Canterbury Rugby Club will be one of only 5 clubs in the RFU structure to have two teams in the top 284 – a testament to the strength and depth of the squad.

Join the Celebrations!

Make it a Super Saturday and celebrate with the team:

  • Start with a Curry Lunch from Saucy Flo’s at 1.45pm (£15 per head).
  • Book directly with Ted at saucyflos@gmail.com.
  • Kick-off at 3.00pm – enjoy the game, have a few beers, and cheer on the Pilgrims as they cap off their incredible season.

Stay for the Final Whistle – and await news from Medway, where the Canons are hoping to secure the Counties 4 title and achieve promotion to Counties 3. If they succeed, it will be another historic moment, further cementing Canterbury’s unique position within the RFU league structure.

Incoming Club Chair John Halliday looks forward to welcoming you all for what promises to be a memorable day at the club. Don’t miss it!

Sunday 6th April

Canterbury Women v Horsham Women Home – KO 2.30pm

Mini & Youth

Mixed U6’s Training – Grids
Mixed U7’s v Folkestone – Away
Mixed U8’s Training – Grids
Mixed U9’s v Folkestone – Away
Mixed U10’s v Folkestone – Away
Mixed U11’s v Folkestone – Away
Boys U12’s v Cranbrook – Away
Boys U13’s Training – Simon Langton 4G 10.00am
Boys U14’s v Cranbrook – Home KO 10.30 MAIN PITCH
Boys U15’s v Thanet – Away
Boys U16’s Training – Top Orchard 10.00am to 11.30am
Colts on tour

Please check the Mini & Youth webpages for updates

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

Canterbury RFC May Ball – A night to remember!

Mark your calendars for Friday, 23rd May 2025, as Canterbury RFC hosts its much-anticipated May Ball – an evening of elegance, entertainment, and celebration!

Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner, followed by a night of dancing, games, and live music from FNKHAUS, delivering dancefloor fillers, club classics, and party anthems. The evening will also feature an auction, dodgems, a 360° photobooth, and more to keep the party atmosphere alive.

Date: Friday, 23rd May 2025
Dress Code: Black Tie
Dinner: 7.30pm (arrival from 6.30pm)
Carriages: 1.00am
Tickets: £80 per person

Don’t miss out on this fantastic event—book your place now! Contact Kirsty at kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk to secure your tickets.

Parking at the MTG

We are grateful to the MS Centre next door for allowing us to use their car park to help ease parking congestion. However, please be aware that on Sundays between 8:00 am and 11:00 am, their spaces will not be available for rugby club use. It is important that we respect this arrangement, as continued misuse could result in the loss of our parking privileges.

Additionally, we have noticed that some vehicles have been parked in the disabled bays at the club without displaying a Blue Badge. These spaces are reserved for disabled club users to provide them with the easiest access to our facilities. If a Blue Badge is not visible, we will request that the vehicle be moved.

To assist with parking awareness, any vehicles incorrectly parked in restricted areas will be displayed on the clubhouse screen. Please check before leaving your car to avoid any inconvenience.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that parking remains fair and accessible for all.

We wish you all the best of rugby!

Canterbury talent shines as Kent U20s secure opening win

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Kent U20s kicked off their Jason Leonard Cup campaign with a hard-fought 28-22 victory over Hertfordshire at Blackheath RFC on Sunday, 30th March. The match not only marked a strong start for Kent but also showcased the exceptional talent being developed at Canterbury Rugby Club, with six of our young players selected for the squad – Owain Collins, Aidan Demery, Max McCormack, Isaac Divine, Bartholomew Johnson, and Brett Smith.

At Canterbury Rugby Club, we take immense pride in nurturing young players and providing them with the training and opportunities to compete at the highest levels of the sport. Seeing so many of our homegrown players representing Kent at U20 level is a testament to the dedication of our coaching staff and the hard work of these talented individuals.

a strong performance from Canterbury players

The match itself was a tense battle, with Kent taking an early lead before Hertfordshire responded to level the score. Aidan Demery was in fine form, crossing the line twice from driving mauls to help restore and extend Kent’s lead. Brett Smith also made a key contribution, finishing off a well-worked move created by Owain Collins, who later added a penalty to put the game beyond reach.

Despite a late push from Hertfordshire, Kent held firm to secure the victory. The performance of our Canterbury representatives played a crucial role in the win, demonstrating not only their individual skill but also the strength of our club’s player development pathway.

looking ahead

Kent’s next pool game is against Hampshire at Havant on Sunday, 11th May. We wish Owain, Aidan, Max, Isaac, Bartholemew, and Brett the best of luck as they continue their campaign.

This result highlights what we strive for at Canterbury Rugby Club – developing young players and preparing them for success at higher levels of the game. Congratulations to our players on their selection and their contributions to Kent’s opening victory!