Month: August 2025

Pilgrims Pre Match Lunch: A Scrumptious Start to the Season

Posted on | by Becca Williams

The Pilgrims are back and they’re bringing their appetite for victory to the table, literally.

Scrum Kitchen is proud to host the Pilgrims Pre Match Lunch, a delicious gathering that sets the tone for what promises to be another triumphant year. With the Pilgrims crowned champions last season, the energy is high and the plates are full.

🍽️ The Menu

Main Course
Shepherd’s Pie with Preston Butchers Lamb Shoulder
Slow-cooked lamb shoulder from Preston Butchers, layered into a rich shepherd’s pie and served with hot buttered cabbage and leeks from Boundary Farm, Wingham.

Dessert
Baked Creamy Madagascan Vanilla Rice Pudding
A warm, velvety classic infused with real Madagascan vanilla.

Pricing

  • £13.95 for 1 course
  • £15.00 for 2 courses

📧 Reserve your seat: scrumkitchen@canterbury.rugby

This event is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of community, sport, and the enduring spirit of the Pilgrims. With support from our fantastic partners Marine Travel, Preston Butchers, and Foodari, we’re proud to kick off the season in style.

 

🔔 Stay Tuned

This is just the beginning. We’ll be regularly updating the Events Page with more matchday lunches with the Pilgrims’ journey. So bookmark the page, check back often, and come hungry, for food and for rugby.

Match Report: Canterbury 19 Tonbridge Juddians 22

Posted on | by Becca Williams

This was another promising performance from the Canterbury squad as the club builds towards the start of the National 2 East season next month.

Only a late try from National One new boys Juddians, denied the City side a victory that their hard work deserved. They suffered nothing in comparison to a team that has bolstered by heavyweight signings and in most areas were every but their equals.

At half-time they led 19-10 through tries from scrum-half Presley Farrance, full-back Luke Talbot scoring against his old club and Number Eight Tyler Oliver.

Farrance scored after eight minutes with a razor-sharp interception, Talbot put in a lovely individual break after fielding a clearance kick, while Oliver put the finish to a series of pick and goes by the Canterbury pack. Frank Reynolds converted two of the scores whilst the TJs kicker was off target with both of his side’s touchdowns.

The visitors third try came in the 55th minute and although they enjoyed a slightly better share of the possession, they could not crack the Canterbury defence again. It was a scrum error that cost the City side the game as they lost the ball three minutes from time and the visitors made it count with their fourth touchdown, this one converted.

Canterbury complete their pre-season programme on Friday evening with a visit to National One neighbours Blackheath (KO 8pm) while the Pilgrims meet Deal & Betteshanger at the Marine Travel Ground (KO 7.30pm)

The spirit of Mini & Youth

Minis are back at the Marine Travel Ground – Join the Black & Amber Family!

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy
The wait is nearly over – our Minis return to the Marine Travel Ground on Sunday 7th September, with a 9am start to kick off the new season in style!
For the first four weeks, all Minis training sessions will be at home, giving our young players time to settle in, reconnect with friends, and welcome new faces to the Black & Amber family. Then, it’s straight into the excitement of festival season:
  • Saturday 4th October – Minis Festival at Twickenham
  • Sunday 5th October – Minis Festival at Medway RFC
New to Canterbury RFC?
We’re always delighted to see fresh talent and smiling faces join our Minis section. New children can enjoy up to three trial training sessions for free before deciding to become a member.
Please note: for insurance reasons, only registered members can take part in matches and festivals – so if your child wants to play, make sure you sign up in time!

A fresh look for the new season
We’re thrilled to welcome new sponsors for our Minis this year – and that means a smart new kit for the squad. We can’t wait to see our players wearing it with pride.

Ready to join?

Be part of something special this season. From the laughter of Sunday mornings to the roar of festival days, Canterbury RFC Minis is where friendships are made, skills are built, and rugby values are lived.

Click here to become a member or renew your membership

 

Youth training and fixtures will be released soon – watch this space!
Luke Talbot

LAST MINUTE LOSS

Posted on | by David Haigh

ESHER 31 CANTERBURY 24

by David Haigh

A last minute try gave Esher the final word in this competitive pre-season friendly but Canterbury Head Coach Matt Corker could take plenty of positives from the performance of his senior squad. The downside was a facial injury to unlucky wing Alfie Orris who was in powerful form as the city side took control of the early stages and built a twelve point lead. The coaching panel said they will be asking the team to play with real pace this season, and they were as good as their word as the starting lineup put width on their game from the kick-off. It was rewarded by a third minute try from new signing Luke Talbot but the second score came from another area of strength – a pack which quickly stamped its authority on the set pieces and carried hard. They forced a penalty, set up a catch and drive which was finished by hooker Eoin O’Donoghue and converted by Frank Reynolds. Esher has seen little of the ball up to that point but when they finally got the chance they took it smartly with a try and by half time had drawn level through a converted score. With both sides making changes to give all their squads a first outing the second half lacked the fluency of the first 40 minutes but the contest remained tight. Canterbury grabbed an early try as they built pressure and centre Frank Morgan’s strength took him over the line and Reynolds was again on target. Esher came back with an unconverted try, but it was the final quarter that shifted the balance in their favour. A much changed city pack came under pressure and Esher took the lead for the first time with a converted catch and drive score. A similar effort from Canterbury’s new boy, Ryley Thomas, leveled matters at 24-24, and that seemed a fair reflection of the game. However, penalties were given away and Esher forward power won it with the last move.

PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE

Posted on | by David Haigh

The club starta a run of three tough pre-season fixtures on Saturday with a visit to Esher (kick-off 1pm) as they build towards the new National 2 East campaign. They will then take on National One sides Tonbridge Juddians (home) and Blackheath (away) in Friday evening fixtures. Matt Corker’s squad is set to include up to eight new signings, the latest being being former Hartpury College and Ampthill back three player Archie English and Essex Under 20 back rower Ryley Thomas. “With the retirement of experienced players like Tom Best, Danny Herriott and Aaron Cooper we have have been recruiting wisely” says the club’s Director of Rugby Taff Gwilliam. “We are integrating these new players with some exciting young talents from our Youth section who are now ready to step up to senior rugby. Archie English is a product of the Deal & Betteshanger club so for him the move is a homecoming to East Kent while Ryley joins us from the Westcliff club. I am also pleased that we have formed strong links with Saracens Academy and will be helping to develop players like England Under 19 lock Charlie Barker and prop Lewis Young, who are both Kent boys.”

Head Coach Matt Corker says: “And the games are back again. Our first block of pre-season was full of the usual blood, sweat and tears but I have been really impressed with the players level of work. My challenge to them has been to find out how fast we can play. If we are going to play fast, we have to move fast, hence all the running they have been doing! The players have taken this to a new level, and it has given us a great platform to launch into the preseason games.

“The main focus of our pre-season games is for us to learn about ourselves and we can’t do this without playing opposition that will challenge us. I feel fortunate that we have been able to organise such competitive fixtures. In previous pre-seasons we haven’t had three strong games and this season all the teams we play are either coming down from, are going up to or are in Nat 1. This is going to give a great opportunity to test ourselves as we prepare for two big opening fixtures. On the 6th September the first team are away to last season’s league runners up Barnes and the Pilgrims tackle their first ever Regional 2 South East fixture at home to Battersea Ironsides.

We have a big three weeks ahead, I’m looking forward to learning where we are.”

Fresh Faces, Fierce Ambitions

Posted on | by Becca Williams

We’re thrilled to announce the latest addition to our rugby family as we continue building momentum ahead of preseason. With the new season on the horizon, our squad is growing stronger, deeper, and more determined than ever.

We welcome the following to the Marine Travel Ground:

  • Luke Talbot-Centre<, Harry Drane, tight head prop
  • Lewis Young, loosehead Prop
  • Charlie Barker, lock, Carter Oliver, loosehead Prop
  • Ryley Thomas, Back Row
  • Archie English, Wing

Our signings brings fresh energy, talent, and experience to the team, adding another layer of depth to an already dynamic group. From the first training session, they’ve hit the ground running, slotting in seamlessly with our current players and embracing the club culture with enthusiasm. It’s been brilliant to see how quickly the new lads have gelled with the squad. There’s a real buzz around training, and everyone’s pushing each other to be better.

With preseason fixtures just around the corner, we’re excited to see how this evolving squad performs on the pitch. The hunger is there. The chemistry is building. And the belief is stronger than ever.

 

Preseason Buzz as Canterbury Rugby Club Gears Up

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Preseason Preparation 

Canterbury’s pre-season groundwork has set the tone for an energized return to Merton Lane. After six intensive weeks of strength and conditioning at The Archbishop’s School and Kent College, players are looking forward to the second block of their preseason programme.

 

Pitch Renovations and Member Support

Thanks to our dedicated members and generous sponsors, pitch renovations have continued apace.  The work done over the summer has been vital, and the improvements promise an even better playing surface as the season unfolds.

Preseason Training Kicks Off

The full club reunion arrives on 5th August, with training venues at The Archbishop’s School and Kent College having provided  ideal facilities for our first block work. Focus now shifts to teamwork and tactical shaping back at The Club.

Senior Coaching Team Revamp

Our senior setup welcomes fresh expertise alongside stalwarts Matt Corker (Head Coach) and Alex Veale (Attack Coach):

  • Max Ganderton takes on Head of Performance role.
  • Former player Mal Graves returns to the club to Pilgrims.
  • Nathan Morris changes his role to become Senior Skills Coach.

Colts Integration into Senior Rugby

Under Colts Head Coach Cameron MacMillian, the transition pathway is stronger than ever. the colts section has become part of the senior playing group. Colts players have joined senior sessions to experience adult level intensity. Those breaking through this preseason include:

  • Alex Carter (Centre)
  • Alex Sullivan (Second Row)
  • Andrew Thomas (Hooker)
  • Ed Thompson (Centre/Back Three)
  • Harry Lloyd (Scrum Half)
  • Harvey Ingram (Utility Back)
  • Paddy Parker (Fly Half)
  • Ruben Kalonji (Blindside Flanker)

 

Women’s Section Developments

We have previously announced that Ryan Mitchell arrives as Women’s Head Coach with a clear brief: build on last season’s third-place finish in National 1 South. Ryan’s strategic vision and passion promise further elevation of our Women’s XV.

 

Scrum Kitchen Launch

Over the summer, we opened Scrum Kitchen, a flexible events venue that’s already hosting private bookings. Profits from this venture are ploughed back into club facilities. Next up: a welcome back session for coaches, hosted by our Scrum Kitchen team alongside incoming Mini & Youth Chair Ky Champion.

 

Community Section Updates

The club’s community arm evolves with Matt Pinnick stepping up as Head of Community. Replacing, Nathan Morris who will venture into Skills Coach.

 

Senior Team Preseason Fixtures

With less than two weeks until kick-off, our men’s side tests itself in four friendlies:

Game Fixture Venue Date & KO
1 Esher v Canterbury Away Saturday 16 August, 1pm
2 Canterbury v Tonbridge Juddians Home Friday 22 August, 8pm
3 Blackheath v Canterbury 1st XV Men Away Friday 29 August, 7:45pm
4 Canterbury Pilgrims v Deal & Betteshanger Lions Home Friday 29 August, 7:30pm

Please note Game 1 was originally scheduled for 3pm but has been moved to a 1pm KO.

 

Director of Rugby’s Perspective

Taff, our Director of Rugby, is under no illusions about the challenges ahead: like every other club in the league we are striving to strengthen our squad and provide continued improvement in not only the senior squad but importantly the pilgrims and canons to help drive our standards to be successful.”

 

Looking Ahead

As preseason intensity builds, watch this space for the latest news  around the senior squads. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead and the ambition is to create a successful and entertaining brand of rugby for all our members, supporters and sponsors.

 

Welcoming Ryan Mitchell as Women’s Head Coach for the 25–26 Season

Posted on | by Becca Williams

After a rocky 24–25 campaign, the women’s side showed grit and determination to finish third; a result that speaks volumes about the squad’s resilience and potential. Now, with fresh energy and a clear vision, the club is proud to announce the appointment of Ryan Mitchell as Head Coach for the 25–26 season.

🔥 Building Momentum with a Proven Leader

Ryan Mitchell brings over two decades of coaching experience, with a career that spans elite programs in both South Africa and the UK. His reputation as a culture first coach precedes him; he’s known for creating inclusive, high-performance environments where players thrive both on and off the pitch.

Ryan’s coaching philosophy is rooted in:

  • Structure and Standards: Every player knows their role and what excellence looks like.
  • Empowerment and Expression: Athletes are encouraged to make decisions, take ownership, and express themselves.
  • Connection and Culture: Success is built on trust, shared values, and consistency.

His sessions are purposeful and layered, balancing technical development with real  game decision-making. He’s not just building a team, he’s shaping a mindset.

🚀 Eyes on a Stronger Start

The 24–25 season may have had its challenges, but the team’s late surge to third place proved what’s possible. With Ryan’s leadership, we’re not just aiming to replicate that success, we’re setting our sights higher. His clear goals and player-centred approach will be key to unlocking the squad’s full potential.

As we kick off the 25–26 season, there’s a renewed sense of belief and ambition. With Ryan Mitchell at the helm, the women’s team is ready to rise, rally, and rewrite the narrative.