Author: David Haigh

NATIONAL 2 EAST: 2025/26

Posted on | by David Haigh

TWO LEAGUE NEWCOMERS

Canterbury will be facing two newcomers in London Welsh and Peterborough-based Oundle in the upcoming 2025/26 season. Both clubs have been promoted from Regional One level and they replace relegated Colchester and Worthing. Also back in the National 2 East mix are Esher who were relegated from National One.
National Two East: Barnes, Bury St Edmunds, Canterbury, Dorking, Esher, Guernsey, Havant, Henley, London Welsh, Old Albanian, Oundle, Oxford Harlequins, Sevenoaks, Westcombe Park.

COUNTY HONOURS

Posted on | by David Haigh

COUNTY HONOURS

Although the league campaigns have ended Canterbury players are in demand for the County season. County Champions Kent, who started their defence of the title with a 42-5 home win over Hampshire, called on four of our players for the squad which scored a notable victory over Cornwall in the second group game. Kent will now contest the final at Twickenham, on June 21st, against the winners of the Lancashire v Yorkshire match. Wing Garry Jones and hooker Eoin O’Donoghue were in the starting line-up against Cornwall while prop Ollie Frostick and scrum half Tom Williams were bench replacements. Six of our Under 20 players have been selected for the London & South East Divisional squad after impressing in Kent’s two victories on their way to the Divisional final. Congratulations to Owain Collins, Isaac Divine, Bartholomew Johnson, Max McCormack, Andrew Thomas and Ollie Jordan-Smith.

Four For Eoin As Tom Says Farewell

Posted on | by David Haigh

COLCHESTER 33 CANTERBURY 50

by David Haigh

Canterbury’s season ended as it started, with victory over a Colchester side which has failed to survive its first experience of National 2 East rugby. In an entertaining, but messy affair which produced thirteen tries, the city club started well, were rightly punished for making simple errors either side of half time, but then wrestled back control with three tries in the last eleven minutes. The player who enjoyed himself most was Canterbury hooker Eoin O’ Donoghue who scored four of the team’s eight touchdowns, the best a 50 metre sprint which killed off all those perceptions of plodding front row forwards. He opened the scoring from a trademark catch and drive after seven minutes and further tries followed for Garry Jones and Henry Kenny. Despite the league’s leading goal kicker, Frank Reynolds, having a rare off day, the lead looked comfortable. Colchester pulled one back when good work by their lively scrum half was completed by Brett Cutbush and converted by Jack Edwards, but O’Donoghue’s second, supplemented by Reynolds, earned the bonus point. It was in the closing stages of the half that Canterbury went into slipshod mode and paid the price. A neat offload put Danny Whiteman across the line seconds before the break and Edwards conversion cut the lead to eight. The city side made a poor start to the second half and an Edwards try drew Colchester closer. The pressure became suffocating when both Garry Jones and Danny Herriott found themselves in the sin bin and against thirteen men Colchester took the lead with a converted try from Cameron Kerr. O’Donoghue came to the rescue, scooping up a dropped ball and setting off for his long distance score, converted by Reynolds, but the pressure was still on. A Haydn Sykes’ try and Edwards’ conversion saw Colchester go back in front but Canterbury now showed their staying power as they regained control of possession. O’Donoghue got his fourth but the most popular try of the day was set up by Tom Best, playing his 319th and final game before going into retirement. It was a kick and chase which Tom Williams finished off under the posts. With Reynolds substituted, Best converted the try. A catch and drive saw prop Cameron Macmillan close out the game with the final touchdown and Best’s successful kick ended his distinguished club career on a winning and scoring note.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, H.Sloan, T.Best, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, H.Kenny, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, C.McGovern, T.Oliver. Replacements: D. Herriott, W.Waddington, W.Calder, J.De Vries, C.Macmillan.

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v Colchester - 26 April 2025

Photos may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

SEASON OF PROGRESS

Posted on | by David Haigh

AN OUTSTANDING SATURDAY

Sponsors Day is always a special occasion at CRFC, as we take the opportunity to thank everyone who supports us. With second-place Dorking making the trip to The Marine Travel Ground, the stage was set for a brilliant Saturday of rugby.

My challenge to the players has been clear: finish the season by playing your best rugby. This is the business end—the month when league positions are decided—and the only way to finish strong is to secure results. The performance the players delivered summed up everything that’s been positive about this season. They scored some outstanding tries, wrestled back momentum after going behind, and finished on top against one of the best sides in the league. It was, without doubt, a Saturday to remember.

Our focus has always been on getting better—week to week, and season to season. The win against Dorking secured a fourth-place finish, and that achievement is a clear marker of the progress we’ve made once again.
Over the past three years, that progression has been clear: finishing tenth with a third of our games won, then seventh last season with a 50% win rate, and now heading into Saturday guaranteed fourth, with the chance to claim our eighteenth win and a 70% win ratio. It’s been another season full of great memories, with last weekend’s game against Dorking right up there among the very best. Our focus on improvement won’t change and the continued growth within the squad makes next season a truly exciting prospect.

The success we enjoy on the pitch doesn’t happen in isolation — it’s the result of countless hours and the tireless energy of so many individuals across the club and our rugby programme.

This season, 35 players have represented the 1st XV, and our ability to develop players consistently relies heavily on the Pilgrims, who play a vital role in our player pathway. The Pilgrims finished another season as champions and, due to recent rule changes, will compete in Regional 2 South East from September. The opportunities this presents for players in our men’s program cannot be overstated. Achieving back-to-back titles was always going to be a challenge, which makes this success even more special.

Since taking the reins, Jon Foster has revitalised this crucial part of the club. He’s transformed the Pilgrims from a side that, post-COVID, sometimes struggled to field 18 players into a vibrant, competitive, and winning team. Jon will be leaving us this season, and we’re all incredibly grateful for his passion and commitment.
He’s been superbly supported by Dan Gill, who stepped into the role of player-manager this year. Gilly adapted quickly and has done a fantastic job ensuring the Pilgrims were prepared for every logistical challenge that came their way.

I also have to mention Tom Short and his back-to-back champion Cannons. They’ve had another outstanding season and will be promoted again, this time to Counties 3 Kent. The ability for players to move between all the men’s teams has been a key focus for us as a club—and from my perspective, it’s been a major factor in our overall success this season.

I write this column every week, but it’s important to recognise that the success of the team over the last 12 months has come from the efforts of so many people.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH

Canterbury Pack Late Punch

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 42 DORKING 35

by David Haigh

Two tries in the closing ten minutes from a rampaging Canterbury pack finally settled a pulsating game in which the result always hung in the balance. This victory guarantees the city club will end the National 2 East campaign in fourth place, their highest position for three seasons. It also extinguished Dorking’s hopes of taking the league title which now goes to Kent side Tonbridge Juddians. A magnificent crowd at the Marine Travel Ground had plenty to entertain them with some outstanding individual tries among the ten shared by the teams, the lead changing hands four times and a final home appearance for retiring Canterbury stalwarts Tom Best and Danny Herriott. In a cagey opening quarter, two Frank Reynolds penalty goals and a converted Frank Morgan try built a thirteen point lead. The try came from a Dorking handling error with Harry Sloan kicking the loose ball on to set up the score. That stirred the visitors and a powerful finish from lock Jasper King and the first of Henry Anscombe’s five conversions sparked the tit for tat nature of what followed. Next, came a great score from city full back Aiden Moss who returned a clearance kick by skewering every defender in a 45 metre run to the posts. Reynolds again obliged but by half time Dorking had crept into a single point lead. They made a catch and drive position pay with a try from Callum Watson and, two minutes before the break, full back Max Coyle matched Moss’s effort with a brilliant run and finish. There was further trouble for Canterbury after the restart when Dorking worked blind side space for wing Bryan Hotston’s try. Reynolds third penalty goal shaved three points off the visitors lead after Dorking skipper Will Scholes’ was handed a yellow card, a subtle shift in the the balance of pack power gave Canterbury fresh momentum and opened the way for Sloan’s try from a close quarter lineout. That brought an immediate response as Anscombe grabbed Dorking’s fifth touchdown to restore a five point lead, but then came the decisive late stages when Canterbury’s forwards took control. On 71 minutes a driving maul carried Tyler Oliver over the line, Reynolds converted, and with three minutes remaining they did a repeat performance as Eoin O’Donoghue’s try closed out an absorbing match.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.De Vries, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, C.McGovern, T.Oliver. Replacements: H.Kenny, D.Herriott, C.Macmillan, T.Best, W.Calder

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v Dorking - 12 April 2025

Photos may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

AN EXCITING SATURDAY

Posted on | by David Haigh

MATCH PREVIEW
Scoring over sixty points in a national league game is something we will always take pride in. At Oxford, during our conversation at halftime, we weren’t satisfied with the number of points we had conceded and the players set the goal of allowing zero tries in the second half. While we may not have achieved that target, conceding once in the seventy-first minute, the defence in the early exchanges of the second forty set the tone. Under pressure, we put in an important defensive set to ensure that Oxford didn’t score first after the break and we went on to finish extremely strongly.

This has set up a very exciting Saturday tomorrow. Dorking sit second in the table and are on a seven game winning run. With it being our last home game of the season and sponsors day, this is always a great occasion and the fixture has all the ingredients of a great game. Both teams have plenty to play for and the squad are focused on putting in our best performance of the season.

The Pilgrims rounded off their season with a win, battling from behind to finish in style. With the squad stretched, which included Jon Foster making an appearance in the starting lineup, the team showed growth from last season. In this fixture a year ago, after similarly winning the league, the Pilgrims travelled to Beccehamians and lost 63-0. To be in the same position, missing a good number of players and still deliver a result shows the resilience that has been built into this team. It will put them in good stead for when they kick off next season in Regional 2

Matt Corker Head Coach.

Hat Trick Day at Oxford

Posted on | by David Haigh

OXFORD HARLEQUINS 29 CANTERBURY 66

by David Haigh

A commanding performance in the Oxford sunshine brought Canterbury ten tries with hat tricks for Number Eight Tyler Oliver and centre Harry Sloan. Fast, 4G pitches clearly suit the city side as this was the second time this season they have scored over sixty points on the artificial surfaces. After conceding the game’s first try they gradually flexed their muscles, upped their pace to secure a bonus point by half time, then stretched away impressively after the break. They repaired the damage of the early set back with Eoin O’Donohue given space to send Frank Morgan over for the try and Frank Reynolds knocking over the first of his eight conversions. Quins briefly added to Ben Venede’s early score with a catch and drive effort by Jim Roberts, converted by Jamie Whitwell, but that was the last time they enjoyed the lead. Canterbury went to work in expert fashion, putting the squeeze on at the set pieces, carrying hard to create breaks and rattling in three tries in a five minute spell. Oliver, twice, and Garry Jones were the scorers. Quins, lively with the ball in hand despite their defensive problems, staged a mini revival with tries from Jamie Fox and Dave Manning and a Whitwell conversion, but by the end of the half Oliver had grabbed his third from a catch and drive and O’Donoghue’s touchdown pushed the lead to 38-24. From that position a Canterbury side with the breeze at their backs were totally dominant. The second half was full of things to admire, from Reynolds’ 50/22 kick which set up position for Sloan’s first try; the great angles run by the centre for his second and third scores and the effective contribution of the bench replacements. one of whom, Tom Best, had a hand and a foot in two scores. His recognition of space and accurate kick was chased down by Charlie McGovern for the tenth try. Before that, Quins got a consolation score through Ben Bodinham, after Oliver was yellow carded, but this was a day when Canterbury’s class told.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan. W.Waddington, H.Sloan, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.Stephens, J.De Vries, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: C.McGovern, D.Herriott, C.Macmillan, T.Best, W.Calder

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Images may be subject to copyright – Les Gordon Photography

PILGRIMS ROSE TO CHALLENGE

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

The Pilgrims were crowned the Counties 1 Kent winners for the second season running. They did this with a week to spare thanks to their win away at Heathfield and Waldron. The big difference this year is that next season, they will be allowed to take promotion and play in Regional 2. This is a fantastic achievement and the Pilgrims have by no means had it all their own way, fighting hard throughout the campaign. I think the challenge of repeating success shouldn’t be underestimated and Jon Foster has led the lads all the way to another title win. The challenge of playing in the league above next season is exactly what the Pilgrims, and the club, need as we continue to grow as a place where players of all abilities can develop on and off the pitch.

The 1st XV had a good result of their own, beating Henley for the first time since before Covid. We have endured some painful one-point losses in recent fixtures but the players put in an eighty-minute performance to come from behind in the second half and seal the win. The forwards showed how much our maul has improved, scoring two tries from drives and being very close to a third. Frank Morgan scored two of his own and the players put in a good performance across the board.

To maintain our fourth position we must continue to deliver winning performances. Traveling to Oxford Harlequins on Saturday will be another test. They have averaged 37 points per game over the last seven games and we know our defence will be put under the microscope. This is an area where we have shown great improvements this season and, after a week off, the players are feeling fresh and looking forward the game in front of us.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Pilgrims Win Title and Promotion

Posted on | by David Haigh

Heathfield & Waldron 7 Pilgrims 27

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims are champions of Counties Kent One after this clear cut victory and will be promoted to Regional South East 2 next season, Level 6 in the RFU league structure. It is a fine achievement for a side that has now won back to back titles. At Heathfield they quickly settled into their stride as the forwards imposed themselves with a number of strong drives. The backs almost capitalised with their first foray into the Heathfield 22 after a fine break by returning centre Jordan Constant was only stopped by some last ditch defending. Pilgrims were quick to reapply the pressure and drove deep into Heathfield territory before scrum half Hector Valladares found Owain Collins on the short side. His pace saw him dot down for the first score which he also converted. Pilgrims’ defence was once again excellent and their tenacity was forcing mistakes from the home side. A wayward Heathfield lineout was well recovered, the forwards made inroads and the backs moved the ball to wing Gus Lister who evaded the defence to score his 15th try of the season which kept him top of the league try scoring charts. Collins again converted to take the lead to 14-0. The home side were a danger with ball in hand and had pace on the wings, but the aggressive Pilgrims defence continued to keep them at bay and Guy Hilton’s and Collins’ effective running from deep put them on the front foot. Collins took advantage by adding a penalty goal when Heathfield illegally slowed down a ruck to give Pilgrims a 17-0 halftime lead. The home side started the second half brightly, moving the ball to their pacey wide men and only an over hit kick stopped them from scoring. But Pilgrims responded well and stretched the lead to 24 points midway through the half. Veterans Dan Gill and Nathan Morris did well to keep the ball alive before the backs spread the ball to Adrian Geddes who forced his way over in the corner and Collins expertly converted. The fly half then added another three penalty points before an injury to centre Tom Halliday led to Will Hunt stepping out of the back row and into the centre. Heathfield came back strongly but Pilgrims defence again remained resolute, even after Gill received a yellow card for an infringement. Henry Kenny, McCormack and captain Al Evans led the defensive resistance before the team returned to full strength and looked to add a bonus point try. Despite coming close on a number of occasions, it was Heathfield who got the game’s final score, dotting down under the posts in the last play. The day, however, and the title went to Pilgrims.

Pilgrims: Macmillan, Demery, Morris, Kenny, Hunt, McCormack, Divine, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Trew-Neville, Constant, Halliday, Lister, G Hilton, Gill, Everrat, Geddes.

Canterbury Resist Late Challenge

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 31 HENLEY HAWKS 28

by David Haigh

Another tight finish for Canterbury who, after their recent slump in form, have found ways to win again. They had to come from behind in the second half and then hold off a robust challenge from the Hawks in the closing stages. But a maximum five point return sees the city side hold on to fourth place in National 2 East. Canterbury dominated the early stages and were two tries to the good by the eighteenth minute. Eoin O’Donoghue’s break set the scene for the first touchdown by Frank Morgan, following excellent handling by the backs. Frank Reynolds, making his 100th appearance, celebrated with the first of his three conversions but was off target when O’Donoghue scored the second from a powerful driving maul. It was all Canterbury up that point but Henley are a side that do not lie down and by half time they had edged into a one point lead. Max Titchener got them on the score board with a penalty goal before great footwork by centre George Wood earned their first try. It was a Rory Mason catch and drive score, converted by Titchener, that took Hawks briefly into the lead but that sparked an immediate response from the city side who took a similar route for O’Donoghue’s second. In the final minute of the half Titchener’s penalty goal wounded Canterbury again and soon after the restart another penalty award gave Henley the territory and opportunity for Will Benning to cross. The conversion opened a slightly ominous eight point gap, given Canterbury’s recent second half woes. As the game went into the final quarter, however, they decided there would be no repeat. Reynolds’ threaded a kick behind the defence and Morgan won the chase for the try. They stayed on the front foot and in control when Harry Sloan’s crash ball score brought the bonus point. Other chances beckoned but failed to register points and it was Henley who produced a sting in the tail. Titchener’s third penalty goal cut the lead to three and the city defenders had to resist intense late pressure before restricting the Hawks to a miserly one point, arguably less than they deserved.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, H.Furneaux, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: D.Herriott, T.Best, J.De Vries, T.Williams, S.Rogers

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v Henley - 22 March 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton