Author: David Haigh

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

WE AIM TO FNISH STRONGLY

Posted on | by David Haigh

PILGRIMS CLOSE TO TITLE WIN
Last Saturday we had another first half to be proud of and the defence in the opening minutes set the tone for the next forty. Going in at the break 7-31 is exactly what we knew we were capable of and our tries came from building pressure and clinical finishing. The lesson from the last few weeks has clearly been that we must play for the full eighty and we knew we hadn’t finished the job. Even though the scores narrowed to end with a two-point margin, earning five points on the road and getting back to winning ways was always top of the agenda.

Our set piece stuttered in the second half and this prevented us from capitalising on the positives we created. This ultimately gave a good Bury team too many chances but three penalties from Frank Reynolds were enough to keep us out of reach. The players showed great commitment, winning collisions and coming up with a big turnover to win the game. Not perfect but we worked hard and got the job done.

With Henley visiting the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday we know that we need to continue to show the improvements of last weekend and bring control for the whole duration of the game. Henley are always a strong side and seasoned National 2 campaigners. With only two home games left, we want to give everyone plenty to cheer about and finish the season strongly.

The Pilgrims are back in action and a victory tomorrow away at Heathfield and Waldron will be enough to win the league before the final round. The team know what is at stake and have worked so hard all season, this is their opportunity to be champions.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

RAY EVISON

Posted on | by David Haigh

SUPPORTER, REFEREE, RUGBY MAN
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Ray Evison, a long time member and supporter of the club and a thoroughly knowledgeable rugby man. During a distinguished refereeing career Ray was one of Kent’s leading officials and when the game turned professional became a member of RFU refereeing teams at many top class matches. He was also a founder member of the COBS group (Canterbury Old Boys Senate) which raised the funds for the installation of the stand on the first team pitch. Ray was a Cheshire man but spent many years of his career in Canterbury teaching design and still found time to serve as a respected local magistrate. His sporting interests were wide and he was a popular member of Chestfield Golf Club where he and his wife Lynne often played mixed matches. It is to Lynne and the family that we extend our sympathies and support.
“Ray was a tremendous supporter of CRFC both home and away,” said club Chairman Giles Hilton. “He always had a fair word to say and enjoyed chatting to the match officials after the game! As one of the original team behind COBS all of those who have sat in the stand owes Ray a debt of gratitude.”
Fellow COBS member Peter Hermitage writes: “Ray’s passing is extremely sad. I liked Ray very much and had some good times with him at rugby matches, especially in the context of COBS. He was a bright, sociable man who I will miss. I thought of him last Saturday when I was at Canterbury RFC in the stand and would normally have had a whisky with him at half time. I’ll toast his memory now.”

Details of Ray’s funeral will be published when arrangements have been completed.

First Half Show Earns Win

Posted on | by David Haigh

BURY ST EDMUNDS 38 CANTERBURY 40

by David Haigh

Being on the wrong end of close run things has become Canterbury’s default position in recent games but here they reversed a sequence of four defeats by surviving a second half battering to complete a league double over the Suffolk club. How they came to be in trouble after establishing a 31-7 lead by half time will be top of the post match inquest. In the first forty minutes the city side played some of their most effective rugby of the season as pace, accuracy and flair brought four tries and a bonus point. After the turn round they looked a different side as they came under constant pressure from a motivated Bury who added five tries to their solitary first half score. Canterbury struggled for possession , created only one real try scoring opportunity and it was only the unfailing accuracy of fly half Frank Reynolds kicking, with three penalty goals, that saw them home. It was Reynolds who slotted the first three points of the game before Bury were taken apart. It started with ball spread wide from a catch and drive where Harry Sloan speared over. Next came a sharp break by Presley Farrance, finished by Frank Morgan, and the scrum half was again involved in the move which brought Harvey Furneaux a third try. When Bury made rare progress they gave a small hint of things to come, breaking off a maul for a try by James Harrison converted by Callum Hall. It seemed a minor blip when Jessie De Vries marched over under the posts two minutes before the break and Reynolds kicked his fourth conversions. Then the game was turned on its head by a Bury side determined to mark the start of the club’s centenary celebrations with a better show. They took just three minutes to strike through a catch and drive score by Finn McCartney and the pressure on penalty prone Canterbury very rarely eased. McCartney again, and Alex Earnshaw crossed, both converted by Hall, before Reynolds kept his city side ten points in front. Bury responded with tries by George Grigg-Pettit and, late on, a converted touchdown from George Loose. But it was not enough as Reynolds kept them at bay with a massive strike from half way and another nerveless kick five minutes from time.

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

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v Bury St Edmunds - 15 March 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Missed Opportunities

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

To win a game of rugby it isn’t about how may good moments you have, how much possession or field position you earn, it is simply about getting over the white line. When I review our last two games, if I put our best two halves and our worst two halves together there is a very different and contrasting picture. On Saturday by half time we should have put the game to bed. Going in 18-0 isn’t a bad score line by any means but the number of opportunities we failed to convert left the game closer than it should have been. Regardless, our second-half performance falls into the same category as our first half against Barnes, well below what we expect from ourselves. Some poor individual tackling and inaccuracies in the attacking 22 left us within one score going into the final 3 minutes. Getting turned over at the final scrum is something that a top four team can’t afford to do and a different outcome in this moment would have given us the platform to close the game out.

This week has all been about reinforcing clarity in our plan and understanding the behaviours that make us successful, the ones that we exhibit when we are at full flow playing our best rugby. We know that recent results are not because we were outclassed, or not from creating opportunities to win games. It is down to our ability to stay on task and finish. When your back is against the wall you find out about the character of people and teams, tomorrow is a day we will learn what this team is all about.

Matt Corker, Head Coach