News
Around the Ground at the MTG
It’s been another action-packed week of battles, victories and honours for Canterbury Rugby Club, with thrilling matches, hard-fought battles, and well-deserved county call-ups. Canterbury Women secured a dramatic 22-20 victory over Jersey, clinching the win with a last-kick penalty in a fiercely contested encounter. Meanwhile, the Colts Tigers showed immense resilience against Westcliff, battling on with just 13 players before fatigue saw the hosts pull away in the final stages. The Colts Dragons faced a tough challenge against Tonbridge, gaining valuable experience as they prepare for next season.
On the junior front, the U15s delivered a dominant 31-10 victory over Sevenoaks, showcasing their defensive resilience and attacking flair despite being down to 14 men for part of the match.
Beyond the pitch, Canterbury continues to shine, with three Pilgrims players selected for the Kent U20s squad and six Canterbury Women’s players earning a place in the Kent 2025 squad. The Archbishop’s & CRFC Rugby Academy Girls also made history, competing for the first time in the Kent 7s and finishing a very impressive third.
Looking ahead, the Pilgrims take on Dover at home this Saturday – and what better way to kick things off than with one of Saucy Flo’s famous curries? Join us for pre-match dining and a top-of-the-table clash!
Scores roundup
Jersey Women 20 – 22 Canterbury Women: Canterbury Women made the trip to Jersey for a fiercely contested clash against Jersey Women. The match was a close affair from start to finish, with both teams keeping the scoreboard ticking. Jersey held a narrow lead at half-time, but Canterbury stuck to their game plan and remained composed, never allowing their opponents to gain full control.
Despite Jersey scoring four tries to Canterbury’s three, it was the accuracy from the tee that proved decisive. Two conversions and a last-kick penalty sealed a well-earned victory for the Black & Amber. A disciplined and determined performance saw the team return home with a well-deserved win.
Westcliff U18’s A 31 – 10 Colts Tigers: A hastily arranged Colts Tigers friendly saw a determined Canterbury side travel to face Essex champions Westcliffe with just 15 players. The Tigers started strong, trading early tries to sit level at 5-5 after 20 minutes. However, an injury left them down to 14, making the challenge even tougher.
Despite the setback, Canterbury battled on and trailed just 10-5 at halftime. Another injury early in the second half reduced them to 13 players, but the Tigers refused to back down, holding their own against a full-strength Westcliffe side. Only in the final 10 minutes did fatigue take its toll, with the hosts pulling away to secure a 31-10 win.
A superb effort from the squad, showing resilience and determination—valuable lessons learned for the crucial league games ahead!
Tonbridge U18’s B 42 – 12 Colts Dragons: Canterbury’s U17s, with an eye on next season’s 1st team, faced a formidable Tonbridge Juddians B side in a highly physical and intense contest. Under relentless pressure, Canterbury went into the break scoreless, trailing 24-0.
Despite the uphill battle, the team showed resilience in the second half, with Alex Sweetman and Michael Le Roux crossing the line for well-earned tries. Although the final score reflected a tough outing, there were plenty of positives, as many players stepped up physically. This match serves as a valuable reality check, highlighting the standards and intensity required for next season.
Sevenoaks Boys U15’s 10 – 31 Canterbury Boys U15’s: Canterbury U15s put in a dominant display to claim victory over Sevenoaks, running in five tries to two. Their defensive resilience was outstanding, particularly in the first half when they stood firm against a well-drilled opposition—despite playing 12 minutes with a man down due to a harsh yellow card.
Against the odds, Canterbury’s discipline, teamwork, and attacking flair proved too much for Sevenoaks, sealing a fantastic performance. Well done, Canterbury U15s!
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to another exciting year of rugby action!
Next fixtures
Saturday 1st March
Barnes v 1st XV – Away KO 2.00pm
Pilgrims v Dover – Home KO 2.30pm
Cliffe Crusaders v Canons – Away KO 2.30pm
Zingari v Gillingham 2nds – Home KO 2.30pm
Pre-match curry meal available on pre-order for both the Pilgrims and Zingari games – details here
Sunday March 2nd
Minis
Mixed U6’s Grids – 9.00am to 10.00am
Mixed U7’s Grids – 9.00am to 10.00am
Mixed U8’s Simon Langton 4G – 9.00am to 10.00am
Mixed U9’s Simon Langton 4G – 9.00am to 10.30am
Mixed U10’s Bottom Orchard – 9.00am to 10.30am
Mixed U11’s Richmond Festival – Away
Youth
Boys U12’s v Beccehamian Simon Langton 4G – KO 10.30am
Boys U13’s Spitfire v Winchester Top Orchard – KO 11.00am
Boys U13’s Hurricanes v Winchester Bottom Orchard – KO 11.00am
Boys U14’s v Lordswood Top Pitch – KO 11.00am
Boys U15’s v Saracens – Away
Boys U16’s Training Pitch – 10:30am – 12.00pm
Girls U16’s v Bass Simon Langton 4G – KO 12:00pm
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.
County honours for Canterbury trio
Three players from our successful Pilgrims squad have been selected for the Kent Under-20 squad ahead of this season’s Jason Leonard County Championship campaign. Congratulations to Aidan Demery (hooker), Hector Valladares (scrum-half), and Owain Collins (full-back/fly-half) on their well-deserved call-ups.
The squad will train at Charlton Park Rugby Club as they prepare for their opening fixture against Hertfordshire at Blackheath on Sunday, 30th March. Best of luck to our boys in county colours!
Canterbury Women shine in Kent selection
Six players from Canterbury Women have been selected for the Kent 2025 Squad, once again showcasing the talent and quality within our ranks. A huge congratulations to:
Katherine Rutherford
Ella Jenkins
Daniella Charles
Janina Hanssen
Lily Adams
Hannah Sandeman
A fantastic achievement—well done to all! We look forward to seeing you represent the county with pride.
The Archbishop’s & CRFC (ACE) Rugby Academy Girls shine in Kent 7s Debut
Since its inception, The ACE Rugby Academy has focused on providing a well-rounded education while instilling the core values of rugby—sportsmanship, respect, and competitiveness. This commitment took an exciting step forward as, for the first time, the ACE Academy fielded a girls’ team at the Kent 7s Tournament.
Despite the dismal weather en route to Dartford Grammar School, the squad’s spirits were high, and they were ready for the challenge. They certainly made an impact, losing only one group stage match before narrowly missing out in the semi-final, finishing third overall on points.
A fantastic debut performance, showcasing their technical ability, teamwork, and determination—this is a group to watch for the future!
Pre-match Pilgrims home game curry
Pilgrims, currently sitting at the top of Counties 1 Kent – take on Dover this Saturday at the MTG at 2.30pm. This promises to be a thrilling derby clash!
Pre-match dining? Treat your friends, family, or clients to one of the club’s famous Saucy Flo’s curries for just £15 per head. Delicious food, great company, and the perfect prelude to the game, served at 12.30pm! Book now at saucyflos@gmail.com
Don’t miss out and join us!
Join us for an exclusive City Lunch with Jamie Roberts!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, 20th March, as Canterbury RFC hosts an exclusive City Lunch with special guest Jamie Roberts—former Wales, British & Irish Lions, and Harlequins centre.
This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a great afternoon of rugby insights, delicious food, and top-class company. Tables for 8-12 guests are available at £65 per person, but spaces are limited and always sell out quickly!
To secure your place, book now by contacting kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a memorable event!
Canterbury RFC Golf Day – Thursday 1st May 2025
Join us for a fantastic day of golf at Canterbury Golf Club on Thursday 1st May 2025. This premier event promises great competition, top-class hospitality, and some unforgettable moments.
What’s Included:
- Welcome breakfast & registration (from 8.00am)
- Shotgun start at 10.00am with live on-course scoring
- Team & individual prizes up for grabs
- A CRFC backpack, sleeve of balls, and goody bag for every player
- A three-course lunch at 3:30pm
- Special guest comedian Adger Brown
- An iconic Spitfire flypast before play begins (weather permitting)
- BONUS: Each four-ball team receives a Canterbury Golf Club voucher for a future round
Entry for a 4-ball team: £1000
All Proceeds will go to Canterbury Rugby Academy.
A perfect day for golfers of all levels—don’t miss out!
To book your place, contact: kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk
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.
Preston Summerfest – Exclusive group ticket offer for Rugby Club members!
Club members are invited to Preston Summerfest, a fantastic family-friendly music festival taking place over the August bank holiday weekend in the village of Preston, near Canterbury.
This year’s lineup includes an incredible mix of live bands and DJs, with performances from Toploader (Dancing in the Moonlight, Achilles Heel), The Petebox (from The Voice), Hullaballo, Shiva, The Red Hot Tribute Peppers, Hurly Burly, and Certified Madness. An acoustic stage and DJ area will also feature well-known names such as Graham Gold, Pique, Miles Gorfy, and Greg Brookman.
Beyond the music, festivalgoers can enjoy great value food and drink, fun activities for children, and a vibrant community atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Exclusive Group Ticket Offer!
A special discount is available for sports clubs and groups:
Weekend tickets for groups of five or more – just £20 per person (+ booking fee).
(Cheaper than early bird and day ticket prices – and less than the cost of a single gig for some of these artists!)
Ticket Prices:
Under 12s – Free
Teenagers (12-17) – £10 (+ booking fee)
Those attending should ensure they purchase parking or camping tickets if required.
All festival profits support good causes, including Demelza and Pilgrims Hospices. It promises to be an unforgettable weekend of live music, great vibes, and community spirit.
Full lineup and event details can be found at https://www.PrestonSummerfest.com
Get Tickets Now!