A Historic Day for Canterbury Women

Sunday 18 October 2026 will be a day to remember for Canterbury Women, as the club made history by fielding two women’s teams at home on the same day for the first time. Despite the wet and windy conditions, the atmosphere across both pitches was incredible, with supporters cheering on the teams and creating a fantastic sense of occasion. It was a brilliant reflection of the growth of women’s rugby at Canterbury and the hard work being put in by players, coaches and volunteers. A huge thank you goes to Women’s Head Coach Mimi Jupe for her continued commitment to the teams and the development of women’s rugby at the club.

The day was about more than rugby, with a fantastic fundraising effort led by Ellie Desborough in support of CoppaFeel!, the breast cancer awareness charity focused on educating and empowering young people. With activities including face painting, bracelet making and a raffle, the club raised an incredible £750 for the charity. Thank you to everyone who helped organise the activities, donated prizes, took part and contributed to such a worthwhile cause.

Canterbury’s 1st XV took to the main pitch to face Lordswood, securing an impressive bonus-point victory. After the previous week’s match against Medway, the team looked much more structured and organised, with a real determination to work hard for one another. From the outset, Canterbury showed how much they had taken on board in training, putting in a strong first-half performance and making Lordswood work hard for their opportunities.

Captained by Emily Moriarty, Canterbury were led brilliantly throughout the match. Emily kept the team motivated and focused, encouraging those around her even as the conditions became increasingly challenging. She also produced some incredible tackles and big hits when they were needed most, helping set the physical tone and demonstrating the determination that ran throughout the team’s performance.

The scrum started strongly, but as the game progressed, Lordswood’s size began to cause some difficulties, giving Canterbury another area to work on in training. The lineout showed encouraging improvement, while across the pitch the team continued to show commitment and resilience. Playing uphill into the wind and rain in the second half made it harder to turn possession and opportunities into points, but Canterbury persevered and continued to put pressure on Lordswood. Even when the conditions and set-piece challenges made things difficult, the team kept working for one another and found a way to get the job done.

There were some excellent individual performances throughout the match. Lydia Ticehurst controlled the game well at scrum-half, while Rachel Betteridge made strong carries and helped Canterbury gain valuable ground. El Crowe produced vital breaks and hand-offs, and Alice Hayward and Grace Rossiter worked tirelessly in defence on the wings. Evie Smith showed great awareness in finding gaps, while fly-half Robyn Gulley’s kicking game made a real impact. Layla Little, Evie Smith, Steph Roworth and Robyn Gulley all crossed the line, with Robyn also adding conversions. Steph’s try was a particularly strong forward effort, while Robyn showed excellent footwork with a lovely step on her way to scoring.

Canterbury received a yellow card just before half-time following a build-up of team penalties. However, the team refused to let this affect them. For the next ten minutes, Canterbury persevered, worked tirelessly for one another and defended resolutely, not allowing Lordswood to cross their try line. It was a fantastic display of determination and teamwork under pressure.

The individual awards recognised some outstanding performances. Emma Alleyene was named Forward of the Match after producing strong carries and helping to control the forwards, with her experience shining through on the pitch. Alice Hayward took Back of the Match for her relentless tackling, excellent defensive work on the wing and strong runs and carries — an absolute beast throughout the game. Robyn Gulley was awarded Opposition Player of the Match, chosen by Lordswood as Canterbury’s standout player. Playing at fly-half, Robyn controlled the game brilliantly, with an outstanding kicking game and leadership that stood out throughout the match.

On the second team pitch, Canterbury’s Development team took on Lordswood before facing Rye as part of the Inner Warrior Festival. From the very start of their opening match, the team looked cohesive, supporting one another brilliantly and keeping the ball moving with well-timed offloads and multiple support options. This created continuity in attack while allowing the team to apply effective line speed in defence.

Beckah Elsdon, Jess Graham, Megan Rhodes, Lola Bunting, Claudia Stephens and McKenna Larson all made strong carries, gaining valuable ground and putting the opposition under pressure. Raine Huisamen was quick around the park, distributing the ball effectively and looking for opportunities to make her own breaks. In the backs, Christine Miller brought valuable experience, organising the line in defence to close down space while giving the wingers opportunities to exploit gaps in attack. It was a genuine team effort, with every player contributing, including those coming off the bench.

The second match brought a different challenge. After a 40-minute break, injuries and increasingly difficult weather conditions tested the team’s resilience, but the players continued to work hard for one another and refused to give up. Strong carries helped Canterbury gain vital metres, and on one occasion the team came agonisingly close to scoring, only for the ball to be held up over the line. Several players also stepped into unfamiliar positions and adapted brilliantly, showing the team’s versatility and willingness to do whatever was needed for one another. Experienced players Lauren Windsor and Becky McCracken made some dominant tackles to shut down the opposition’s attacks. Canterbury defended well throughout, and although a brief lapse in concentration eventually gave Rye the opportunity they needed, the team’s determination and resilience remained clear.

Across both games, there were plenty of positives to build on, including the team’s support play, tackling, strong ball carrying and growing confidence. Developing attacking structure, maintaining line speed and continuing to strengthen the set piece will be key areas to work on in training. For many players, it was their first time playing together, while some were making their very first appearance in rugby and the majority were playing their first match for Canterbury. To see the team combine so well, adapt to challenges and grow in confidence throughout the day was fantastic.

Megan Rhodes was a standout performer, making powerful carries in the forwards and scoring three tries across the day. Vice-captain Raine Huisamen led well on the pitch and also got herself on the scoresheet. McKenna Larson was named Forward of the Match in recognition of her powerful carries and hard work throughout the day, while Laura Howes took Back of the Match after putting in two very good performances on the wing across both games. The results were only one part of the story; the progress, teamwork and confidence shown by the Development team made it a hugely positive day for the squad.

From the 1st XV’s bonus-point victory to the Development team’s determination and progress, Sunday was a fantastic showcase of women’s rugby at Canterbury. Two teams playing at home on the same day for the first time, an incredible crowd supporting both pitches and £750 raised for CoppaFeel! made it a truly memorable occasion. A huge thank you to every player, coach, volunteer, supporter and fundraiser who helped make the day such a success. It was a proud moment for Canterbury Women and a brilliant sign of what the future holds for women’s rugby at the club.