News
Around the Ground at the MTG
Scores roundup
Barnes 45 – 35 1st XV: A stunning second-half comeback saw Canterbury salvage pride and a crucial losing bonus point against second-placed Barnes, despite a torrid first half. Trailing 40-0 at the break, the city side roared back with five unanswered tries, proving their resilience.
Barnes dominated the opening 40 minutes, punishing Canterbury’s errors and running in six tries, with Elliot Haydon and Ethan Sikorski among the scorers. However, a rousing half-time talk from Head Coach Matt Corker sparked a remarkable response. Eoin O’Donoghue crossed early in the second half before Olly Frostick, Presley Farrance, Jesse de Vries, and Aaron Cooper all added to the tally. Frank Reynolds converted all five second-half tries, securing a valuable bonus point.
Despite the defeat, Canterbury remain fourth in National 2 East and will take confidence from their spirited fightback as they prepare for the next challenge.
Pilgrims 43 – 19 Dover: Pilgrims maintained their grip on Counties 1 with a commanding 45-19 victory over Dover in a thrilling local derby. Playing up the slope in the first half, they wasted no time imposing their game, with Gus Lister racing away for the opener after a strong break from Guy Hilton. Harry Sloan and Isaac Divine followed with well-taken tries before Adrian Geddes secured the bonus point, giving Canterbury a 24-0 lead.
Dover responded with two late first-half tries, closing the gap to 24-14 at the break. They carried their momentum into the second half, adding another to narrow the deficit to five points. However, Pilgrims hit back hard, with returning centre Tom Halliday making an immediate impact before Lister completed a superb hat-trick. Sonny Trew-Neville put the finishing touch on a solid team performance, keeping Pilgrims top of the table with three games to go.
Next up, on the road to Heathfield & Waldron as Pilgrims continue their push for the title.
Cliffe Crusaders 22 – 27 Canons: The Canons moved a step closer to the Counties 4 Kent title with a hard-earned victory away at Cliffe Crusaders. Using their pace and agility to counter Cliffe’s physicality, the Canons took control early, with Liam Browne slotting two penalties before Jake Upward crossed for the first try, set up by Josh Lamb. Lamb then added a second just before half-time, giving Canterbury a 20-3 lead at the break.
Cliffe responded strongly in the second half with an early try, and tensions rose as the game turned scrappy. However, the Canons struck back, with Browne’s chip-and-chase setting up Upward for his second. Despite Cliffe adding two late tries, the Canons secured a well-deserved four points against tough opposition.
All focus now turns to this weekend’s top-of-the-table showdown against Old Williamsonians, where the Canons will be out for revenge and looking to take a huge step towards the title.
Zingari 33 – 14 Gillingham 2nds: The Zingari continued their winning streak with an explosive second-half performance, dismantling top-of-the-table Anchorians in emphatic fashion.
A cautious first half saw both sides struggle for control, with Patrick Collins opening the scoring for Canterbury before Anchorians hit back to level things at the break. However, whatever was said at half-time worked wonders, as the Zingari emerged fired up.
Early pressure saw Connor Langley cross under the posts, quickly followed by a Callium Townshend try to stretch the lead. Anchorians attempted a response but were shut down by relentless defence. The Canterbury forwards dominated the turnover battle, allowing the backs to carve open the opposition defence.
As pressure mounted, Ash Nwapa powered over for a brace of tries, both converted by Jacob Coffin, sealing an unassailable lead. Anchorians grabbed a late consolation, but the Zingari’s second-half dominance ensured a statement victory.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to another exciting year of rugby action!
Next fixtures
Saturday 8th March
1st XV v Old Albanian – Home KO 3.00pm
Pilgrims v Cranbrook – Home KO 3.00pm CANCELLED
Old Williamsonians v Canons – Away KO 2.30pm
Lordswood v Zingari – Away KO 2.30pm
Sunday 9th March
Mini & Youth
Mixed U6’s, U7’s and U8’s Simon Langton 4G – 9.00am to 10.00am
Mixed U12’s Amber v Beckenham – Away
Boys U12’s Black v Thanet Top Pitch – KO 10.30
Boys U13’s v Blackheath – Away
Boys U14’s v Sevenoaks – Away
Boys U15’s v Sidcup Main Pitch – KO 11.00am
Boys U16’s Simon Langton 4G – 10.00am to11.am
Boys U16’s Development v Dover – KO 11.00am
Colts v TJ’s – Away
Canterbury Rugby Club and Marine Travel extend a warm welcome to all visiting teams, players, and supporters.
U15s title decider – Support needed!
Canterbury U15s are currently top of the table, and this weekend’s clash against Sidcup is a Kent League title decider! Let’s get as many supporters as possible around the main pitch to cheer them on and help them bring home the victory. Your support could make all the difference!
Please check the Mini & Youth webpages for updates
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.
Pre-match Pilgrims home game curry
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 [email protected]
Next curry lunch available for April 5th v Crowborough
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 [email protected]. 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: [email protected]
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 [email protected] 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!