Month: September 2025

Match Report Dartford Valley 19 Canons 14

Posted on | by Becca Williams

The Canons continue to chase their first win of the campaign as they fell to defeat against Dartford Valley.

In blustery conditions, the Canons absorbed pressure well in the first half playing into a strong wind. Knowing that they would have the advantage of the weather in the second half, the Canons restricted Dartford Valley to 2 tries, both scored from close range. 12-0 to DV at half time.

With clear instructions at half time as to how the team needed to play, the second half did not go to plan with DV scoring in the first minute from the kick off. Not deterred, the Canons fought back begin, with Liam Browne scoring the first of 3 penalty kicks 10 minutes into the half. Handling errors plagued the Canons however, which nullified any momentum that was building. In the 60th minute, Josh Lamb crossed the try line for the Canons, following some good play in the midfield. Penalties started to rack up against DV, but the Canons could not capitalise. Browne kicked his third penalty in the final play of the game to ensure the Canons scored a losing bonus point. Full time 19-14.

It was an improved performance for the Canons, who continue to settle into life in Kent Counties 3. With the next league game not until 11th October, the Canons have plenty of time to refresh themselves before facing early league leaders Sittingbourne.

Match Report: TJ 3’s 62 Deacons 5

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Despite a number of players still away at university or unavailable, we were thrilled to get some of our core squad back on the pitch this weekend. With a little help from TJ’s, who generously lent us a few players to even the sides at 13 each—we enjoyed a fantastic, good natured match played in true rugby spirit.

From the first whistle, the team showed flashes of flair and creativity, especially when we had ball in hand. We asked serious questions of TJ’s defence and managed to carve out some exciting attacking moments. Special mention to Lawrence Frattaroli, who marked his final game before heading off to university with a well earned try an emotional and fitting send-off.

Our front rowers impressed with some inventive play making, and once again, the scrum proved to be a reliable platform, solid and promising as we look ahead to future fixtures. While TJ’s blend of academy talent and seasoned veterans gave them the edge in possession and control, our side showed resilience and plenty of potential.

A huge shout-out to James Limmer for an exceptional performance throughout the match, and congratulations to Craig Fuller, deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution.

There’s lots to build on, and even more to be proud of. The energy, camaraderie, and commitment on display were everything we love about the game.

Match Report: Zingari 75 Lordswood 2’s 28

Posted on | by Becca Williams

By Colin Scurr

The Zingari opened their seasons account with an emphatic win against an inexperienced Lordswood side, despite the final scoreline Lordswood showed resilience making Canterbury fight for every point. From the kick off the Zingari had Lordswood pined on their own line before Brad Alchurch making another return after taking a season out, burst his way over the line under the posts for the following simple conversion. The Zingari kept up the pressure with a kick and chase picked up by Henry Collins touching down near the posts for the following conversion, and twenty minutes into the half Ollie Simpson showed his pace outstripping the defence to score out wide. Within two minutes the city side struck again with Henrey Collins breaking the defensive line for another converted try. This was followed a few minutes later with the ball traveling down the line to find wing Piers Weigh making his first appearance at senior rugby scoring with a try out wide with the following conversion. Lordswood could have folded, but after period of scrappy play broke the city defence with a converted try of their own, however the Zingari had the last word of the half with another Brad Alchurch converted try, and with the bonus of Rob Horan slotting the conversions Canterbury a substantial halftime lead.

 

The second half started much the same this time Ollie Simpson picking his way through adding to his tally with another converted try, if Canterbury thought it was all over, they were in for a check as Lordswood although not so good in the loose had done well at the set piece took advantage, and ten minutes into the half  snatched back a converted try. The Zingari soon struck back with another try,  but were coming under pressure from that Lords wood set piece, only a wild pass from Lordswood allowed Jonny Gaynor the interception to go the length of the field to touch down. Again, Lordswood would not lay down and after some missed tackles

Lordswood snatched another try back. With the match going into the last quarter the Zingari hit back in the thirty-eight minutes with a ollie Simpson hat trick followed by another Jonny Gaynor try and his hat trick. However, with the game now well into injury time Lordswood refused to give up snatching a deserved consolation converted try with the last play.

Match Report: Horsham 41 Pilgrims 25

Posted on | by Becca Williams

The Pilgrims travelled away to Horsham for their first away day in Regional 2 and were left frustrated as errors once again proved costly at this level.
They started brightly and exerted early pressure but this was quickly undone when a speculative kick in behind from Horsham was allowed to bounce and Horsham were 7-0 up after five minutes.

The city side regrouped and a series of well worked phases fashioned 2 kickable penalty opportunities which Olly Ashley-Jones slotted to bring the score back to 7-6 before Horsham added their 2nd try after poor pilgrims tackling allowed them to dot down beside the posts. 14-6.
The Pilgrims responded positively again and Horsham’s repeated attempts to slow the ball down at the breakdown saw them reduced to 14 men. A fine break from Al Evans was well supported by scrum half Lloyd who took a short pass and raced away to score under the posts 14-13.

An injury to centre Mitch Fielder saw Ed Thompson introduced and the back line reshuffled, and before they could settle more missed tackles created space out wide for Horsham to score and take the score to 19-13.
Pilgrims were looking dangerous on attack as they looked for an instant reply, but poor handling in midfield saw the ball spilled, Horsham reacted quickest to gather the loose ball and they added their 4th try to take the half time score to 24-13.

The pilgrims looked threatening as they began the 2nd half on the front foot with a series of strong carries and tackles by the forwards who were shading the physical contest. An injury to fullback Harvey Ingram and a yellow card for a late tackle by Tom Mackenzie made Pilgrims task more difficult and Horsham used the numerical advantage to good effect to move the ball effectively to space out wide and scored again to make it 31-13.

The pilgrims forwards then showed their desire with a series of good drives culminating in Stan Bull taking a tap penalty 5metres out and crashing over to score,31-18.

Horsham were then given another yellow card after a high shot on wing Adrian Geddes, but added a further try after another handling error allowed them to pounce and move the ball out wide to score. 36-18.

Pilgrims showed great heart to dig deep for a response and after a fine break by Stan Bull, wing Gary Jones was on hand to take the offload and score a converted try, 36-25.

Pilgrims were now firmly on the front foot and had momentum. Strong forward drives saw No.8 Al Evans power over only for the referee to not see the grounding and come back for advantage. The pilgrims then moved the ball wide and thought they had their bonus point try, only for the referee to judge the pilgrims had obstructed potential tacklers and award Horsham a pressure relieving penalty. With the clock running down, Horsham scored a well worked try to take the game away from the Pilgrims and make the final score 41-25.

Steve Brown Calls it a Day

Posted on | by Becca Williams

In all sports there comes a time when the body is tired, bruised and ready for a rest unless, of course, when we are talking about wheelchair rugby. That’s normally the starting point. But after 13 years Canterbury Hellfire’s Steve Brown has decided it’s time to hang up the wheelchair equivalent of his playing boots

Steve told us “After a lot of reflection, I have decided to step down from my role on the Canterbury Rugby Club coaching team. Having been part of the setup since 2012, this is not an easy decision at all, but with growing work commitments and a young family, I simply can’t give the time and energy that the role deserves. Too many times over the past months I’ve had to cancel last minute due to work deadlines, personal reasons and family issues, it’s not fair on anyone.

Canterbury has been a huge part of my life for more than a decade. Week in, week out, the club has given me a sense of belonging and pride that’s hard to put into words. It’s been an honour not only to coach, but to be part of the wider Canterbury family and everything it represents. Alongside Jonathan Marsh, I’m incredibly proud of what we built, and I’ll never forget the moments we’ve shared—winning leagues at home and abroad, lifting national titles, and helping create a pathway for players to go on and achieve at the very highest level.

The club has some truly fantastic players who are going to go far, and watching them grow as athletes and as people has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. In fact, I can honestly say that being part of Canterbury has made me a better person. The friendships, the lessons, and the memories will always stay with me.

Although I am stepping back from coaching, I will always carry Canterbury with me. I’ll be on the sidelines cheering the team on, and I’m still more than happy to help in any way I can if the club ever needs me.

Thank you for trusting me, supporting me, and allowing me to be part of this incredible journey since 2012. It’s been more than just rugby — it’s been family.”

We wish Steve well and thank him for all his efforts getting Hellfire to where it is today.

Williams Hat Trick Is Derby Highlight

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 42 SEVENOAKS 37

by David Haigh

In boxing terms Canterbury’s first National 2 East victory of the season would have been called ‘a crowd pleaser’ with eleven tries on offer and the result never nailed down until late in the game. The club’s coaches, however, will have viewed it more as a frustrating nail biter as the city side were forced to battle back from an early seventeen point deficit and survive two yellow cards before they edged this Kent derby. For that they can thank scrum half Tom Williams for his hat trick of tries and the reliable boot of Frank Reynolds who converted all six Canterbury touchdowns. Sevenoaks ended the first quarter in total command with tries from Ed Shepherdson and Harry Martin, both converted by Ben Adams who had opened the scoring with a penalty goal. A misfiring Canterbury played into their hands but it was the pack who hauled them back into contention after 25 minutes, winning a penalty close to the posts where Williams sniped over. Number Eight Tyler Oliver was next across the line, making a decisive break and then completing strong forward work. A second Adams penalty goal quickly pegged Canterbury back but greater trouble came when replacement Harry Drane was yellow carded and the city side needed a touch of luck to survive to half time without further damage. Two minutes after the restart, and still operating with a man down, they went in front for the first time, working the close quarter phases before Harry Sloan got the try. It looked like a turning point but then came another sin binning, this time for Eoin O’Donoghue, and the visitors punished it with a second try from flanker Martin. When the hooker returned Canterbury took an important grip and pushed two scores ahead. Williams again found a gap close to the line and then raced clear for this third try to reward O’Donoghue’s break. However, a determined Oaks could not be shaken off and Adams’ astute chip and chase led to a converted try for wing Charlie Corrigan. With six minutes remaining Reynolds sealed what was a very ordinary Canterbury performance with his side’s sixth try, but a deserving Oaks won a second bonus point through an Adams touchdown in the final move of the match,

Canterbury: L.Talbot, H.Furneaux, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds,T.Williams, L.Young, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, R.Thomas, M.Pangarker, T.Oliver, Replacements: H.Dane, K.Heatherley, C.Macmillan, J.Walker, J.De Vries.

CLINICAL FINISHING NEEDED

Posted on | by David Haigh

MATCH PREVEW

We didn’t discuss it this season, but a focus for us on our previous two trips to Barnes has been to win the first 20 minutes. Historically, we have had some horrific opening quarters and last year’s first half was one of the worst in my coaching career. On Saturday, twenty-nine minutes in, we were seven points to nil ahead and had controlled possession and territory — exactly what we were after.
We allowed Barnes to score two simple maul tries before half-time and went in behind at the break, even though we felt we had enjoyed the better half. Scoring an early try to retake the lead set up the second half nicely, but we conceded shortly after and then again late on to leave empty-handed.
The real story of the game was our inability to back up the positive moments we created. We made five line breaks where we gained over thirty metres — something to be proud of against a strong defence — but on only one occasion did we maintain possession for more than two phases afterwards. That one time, we scored; against the best teams we must be more clinical and can’t afford to waste the opportunities we create.
We know statistically that we need to end our attack sets on a positive outcome more than 50% of the time to win. On Saturday, we were down at 30% completion, a number that only leads to one outcome.
The players have trained really hard this week and Tuesday was one of the best sessions we’ve ever had. But games aren’t won in the week; the only thing that matters is what we do once the first whistle goes tomorrow.
We welcome Sevenoaks to the Marine Travel Ground, who come off the back of losing by the same margin away to Esher. They, like us, will be looking for their first win and I expect nothing less than the usual competitive encounter this local derby brings every year.
Jimmy Walker makes his first appearance for the 1st XV after joining us a few weeks ago from Australia. Kurt Heatherley also returns to the side for the first time since injuring his shin back in February. I’m looking forward to seeing them both run out at Merton Lane and doing what they do best.
The Pilgrims came within the final play of winning their opening game in Regional 2. Ill-discipline cost them late on, with two yellow cards reducing them to 13 men in the final five minutes. A last-minute try from Battersea snatched victory away at the death. Before then, some strong attacking play had put them firmly in the driving seat.
They travel to Horsham tomorrow still searching for that first win. It’s great to see Garry Jones starting at 13 after missing preseason with a knee injury. He has trained well this week and is raring to go.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH

Pilgrims Promising Debut

Posted on | by David Haigh

Pilgrims 29 Battersea Ironsides 34

by Dan Gill

The Pilgrims got their season and first foray into Regional 2 under way in an evenly contested encounter which earned them two bonus points. The visitors opened the scoring when some lacklustre Pilgrims defence allowed the Ironsides blindside wing to take a short ball and burst through to score and give the visitors a seven point lead..Pilgrims responded well and after good running from Jimmy Walker and Stan Bull, debutant centre Brayden Smith was on hand to take the final pass and dot down by the posts to give Olly Ashley-Jones a simple conversion
The watching crowd didn’t have long to wait for the next score which again went to Ironsides after more weak centre field tackling led to another converted Ironsides score. The young Pilgrims side again responded positively, and after a series of good drives from the forwards debutant flanker Jimmy Walker picked a good line and ran in unopposed to level things at 14-14.. With half time approaching Pilgrims were caught out when Ironsides took a quick lineout, spread the ball wide. and exploited the space for a converted to give them a 14-21 lead. The break allowed both sides to address their issues and made for an even first 20 mins of before Ironsides extended their lead with a penalty goal. The city side then kicked a penalty deep into Ironsides territory. The lineout was won and the resulting maul was a text book example of set piece execution as hooker Stan Bull touched down for an unconverted score. They were reduced to 14 after Smith received a yellow card but despite the setback, Pilgrims added their bonus point try and took the lead when a tap penalty saw Ruben Kalonji driven over for a converted score. They made their task more difficult when Walker was sin binned for a high tackle, giving Ironsides a simple shot at goal to retake the lead, 26-27. Again w saw a good response and excellent work at the breakdown gave Ashley-Jones the penalty opportunity to restore the lead at 29-27. However, with the clock running down a missed touch kick was punished by Ironsides who kept the ball alive and turned it into the winning try.
Pilgrims: Everatt, Bull, Oliver, Sullivan, Hunt, Walker, Mackenzie, Evans, Lloyd, Geddes, Heatherley, Smith, Fielder, Ingram, Kalonji, Devine, Dengate.

Canterbury Falter On Day One

Posted on | by David Haigh

BARNES 26 CANTERBURY 14

by David Haigh

A strong start but a confused ending saw Canterbury falter on this opening day of the new National 2 East season. “That was our best start at Barnes for several seasons said a disappointed Head Coach Matt Corker. “We later went away from the game plan and that was fatal.” You could see why Corker found it so frustrating because the city side played a full part in an untidy but highly competitive game. With five minutes left they were trailing by only one score but over- ambitious play near their own line handed Barnes Number Eight Dan Robertson his fourth try and Canterbury were left without even a losing bonus point. Solid work from the pack put pressure on Barnes in the early stages but it wasn’t until the 25th minute that their defence cracked to a driving maul try by Eoin O’Donoghue, converted by Frank Reynolds. The hosts found momentum in the second quarter, won penalties and, taking their cue from the Canterbury score, the efficiency of their maul gave them a narrow 12-7 lead by halftime with two tries from Robertson and a conversion by Elliot Haydon. The city side were back in front six minutes into the second half. Following an interception and break by flanker Mo Pangarker, a player in outstanding form on his return from long term injury, they drove hard and patiently at the home line until Harry Sloan touched down between the posts and Reynolds again converted. It was their failures in defending the catch and drive that saw that advantage vanish after just two minutes as Robertson and Haydon clocked up another seven points. Barnes now began to dictate territory but if the close quarter mauls had been a problem for the city side the rest of the defending was beyond reproach as they kept the home side at bay, They still had opportunities to attack but runs by Luke Talbot, Will Waddington and Aiden Moss went unrewarded. With Barnes pressing again in the late minutes some wild Canterbury passing gave them that final opportunity and they did not miss out.

Canterbury: L.Talbot, H.Furneaux, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, L.Young, E.O’Donoghue, H.Drane, J.Stephens, C.McGovern, R.Thomas, M.Pangarker, T.Oliver, Replacements: O.Frostick, C.Macmillan, J.De Vries, A.English, A.Moss.

MATCH PREVIEW

Posted on | by David Haigh

HAVE WE LEARNT?

I think the standard of our preseason fixtures raised a few eyebrows. The three teams we faced were either coming down from National 1, going up to it, or finished 5th last season — all strong sides, but that’s exactly what we wanted.
The only way we improve as a team is by being challenged and stepping up to those challenges. The only way you learn to climb mountains is by climbing mountains, and I’m incredibly proud of how the lads have worked and responded to everything we’ve thrown at them over the past 11 weeks.
Last Friday night, at Blackheath, the scoreline was humbling but the lessons we took from that match were priceless in shaping our preparation. This week’s training has been focused on a few key areas that we know will be vital when we travel to Barnes on Saturday..
Barnes have been one of the most consistent sides in recent years, finishing in the top three for the past three seasons. When we faced them back in March it was the definition of a game of two halves. We started with one of our poorest 40 minutes of rugby but came out after the break and delivered a second-half performance that very few teams have ever managed on their pitch.
Saturday gives us the challenge we need. It’s a chance to test ourselves, to measure our progress and to find out if we’ve learnt the lessons from preseason.
Meanwhile, the Pilgrims kick off their first fixture in Regional 2 South East as we welcome Battersea Ironsides to the Marine Travel Ground. It’s crucial we get off to a strong start and Battersea — who finished 5th last season — will provide the toughest opposition the Pilgrims have faced since before COVID.
It’s also a special day for Mal Graves and Nathan Morris who take charge of their first league game. It promises to be an exciting afternoon of rugby, both home and away.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH