Author: David Haigh

Pilgrims Focus On Home Win

Posted on | by David Haigh

PILGRIMS v CRANBROOK

The Pilgrims are looking to continue their strong start to the Counties 1 Kent season against Cranbrook who visit the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday. The team continues to grow in confidence after another hard fought win on the road against Thanet and are getting stronger every week. The competition in training is really driving standards within the squad and we are still having approaching 50 players training twice a week which is a great sign of the environment that the players are creating. There are a number of changes to the Pilgrims squad which did so well last weekend but this is still a very competitive outfit

Matt Corker, Head Coach.

Putting Things Right

Posted on | by David Haigh

WORTHING V CANTERBURY

As a team we take great pride in playing at home. Our performances in front of our extremely loyal home support are very important to us and that’s what makes last Saturday’s game against Wimbledon so disappointing. The good in our game is something we can be proud of but the moments when we are not at our best are way below what we expect of ourselves, and these moments are really hurting us. Two kick chase errors cost us 14 points and when we have reviewed this as a team, we have identified these as effort errors. Effort errors are when we are not putting in the effort required for us to play our game and are not acceptable to us. This weekend our focus is on removing them from our game.
Worthing have had a similar start to the season to ourselves, and I’m expecting a tough clash down on the south coast.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Match report

Pilgrims Win East Kent Derby

Posted on | by David Haigh

THANET WANDERERS 25 PILGRIMS 28

by John Mitchell

What a game this East Kent derby turned out to be and in the end the difference between the two sides was two penalty goals from the boot of Alex Davies. The game started well for Thanet, who exerted early pressure while Pilgrims made some handling and tackling errors. A penalty goal showed the home side the way and they added a second after poor work at lineout and scrum. Canterbury were playing good open rugby but an attacking move was well intercepted and the Wanderers ran through for a converted try to make it 13-0 in as many minutes. The Pilgrims were on the ropes but a good kick for touch, followed by a much better line-out, saw Cameron Macmillan go over on the back of a rolling maul to score an unconverted try, 13-5. Jesse De Vries was then taken out badly in the air, only a yellow was awarded, and a penalty, which was kicked for touch. More pressure and another good rolling maul, this time Stanley Bull scored from the back of it and Tom McMann converted, 13-12. The Pilgrims were back in the game. Thanet missed a penalty but piled on more pressure. Then from under his own posts, Gus Lister decided to run the ball instead of kick. The decision paid off and the ball was worked the whole length of the field before Adrian Geddes crashed through close to the line and Jake Dengate, who had another outstanding game, went over for an unconverted to give Canterbury a 17-13 half time lead. An excellent comeback from the Pilgrims! The second half started well for Canterbury and despite making handling errors they went further ahead when Tom McMann scored his first try for the club, but again failed to convert. An injury to Stanley Bull was a set back and on 60 minutes Thanet scored from a push over try, and converted, 20-22. Then came the game changer; Tom handed over kicking duties to Alex Davies, who promptly kicked a penalty successfully from around 40 yards. This was followed by another from just inside the opposition half to extend the lead to eight points. Game over? No, Thanet came back to score, but failed to convert. It’s now played two, won two with this bonus point victory making us joint top of Counties 1 Kent with Dartfordians and Ashford. Special mention should be made for a new young scrum half, who was making his men’s debut. Hector Valldares did all you could have asked for in his first senior game at this level, well done young man. This coming Saturday we meet Cranbrook at the Marine Travel ground with a 3:00 kick off.

V Wimbledon

Canterbury Lose Their Way

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 29 WIMBLEDON 32

by David Haigh

Having come from behind to establish a winning position Canterbury saw this game slip away in the late stages as wing Tom Pozniak grabbed Wimbledon’s fifth try. It was the ultimate disappointment for a city side that struggled to find any cohesion, paid heavily for lapses in defence and had a poor day all round. For a team that totally dominated the scrummages there can be few excuses. Although they improved after a dire first half their failure to put the game to bed after overturning a ten point deficit leaves them facing many questions. The signs that all was not well came in a forgettable first forty minutes. Despite having most of the possession and territory a disjointed Canterbury found themselves a point down at the break. Nathan Morris’s catch and drive try, converted by Frank Reynolds, was cancelled by one from Wimbledon’s Marik Touilzak and an Ed Morgan penalty goal. On the resumption there was a greater focus from Canterbury and sound handling produced an early try for Cameron Murray. Reynolds converted, then added a penalty goal, and there were opportunities to build on a nine point lead. But the city side’s defensive frailties let them down badly as clever work and decisive running from the visitors produced three tries. Fly half Morgan sold a sweet dummy for the first and it was followed by two more in the space of a minute. Wing Tom Bracegirdle’s great solo run left everyone in his trail and from the restart the tackles again disappeared as Lewis Bloor finished off an unchallenged break. Two conversions meant Canterbury had all the work to do. A yellow card, one of three handed to Wimbledon, saw the city side take full advantage with a converted Pierce Holland try before a serious injury to the visitors prop Sam Gratton brought a lengthy delay. When play restarted Canterbury seemed to have redeemed themselves when Sam Rogers’ try put them two points in front but kicking away possession proved fatal as Wimbledon won good territory and worked the overlap for Pozniak. There was still time for Canterbury to salvage a win but two botched attacking lineouts later they were left with only a couple of bonus points and the feeling that this sort of form could lead to another season of struggle.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, G.Jones, T.Best, J.Weaver, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, W.McColl, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, S.Rogers, C.Murray, T.Oliver. Replacements: E.O’Donoghue, P.Holland, H.Furneaux, B.Cooper, L.Hollidge.

View match photos

v Wimbledon - 23 Sept 2023

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Game Changer For Girls

Posted on | by David Haigh

The club is ushering in a new era of opportunity and excellence for young female rugby enthusiasts with the launch of a revamped girls’ section. Led by a highly qualified female coaching team, this initiative promises to be a game changer for aspiring female rugby players across Kent. Heading a top notch coaching team is Alice Hayward, a well-known figure in women’s senior rugby, supported by Ella Jenkins, Freddie C.P and Jo Cole-Biroth. They are joined by Becky McCracken, who takes on the role of Team Manager. All come with impressive backgrounds in the sport and are active playing members at Canterbury. Under the title #ForGirlsByGirls, the section aims to provide inclusive access to rugby for all young girls regardless of their experience, giving them the chance to play rugby at the highest standards. Training sessions are scheduled for Thursdays from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. These sessions will be complemented by matches and joint training sessions held across Kent. The girls’ team will represent East Kent as the East Kent Viragos bringing together players from Thanet, Dover, and Deal. The initiative is open to girls from the age Under 12 (Year 7 secondary school) and the section also caters for mixed mini age groups – Under 6 to Under 11 – on Sundays.

For girls who may be hesitant about joining a team immediately, the club also hosts “Pitch Up and Play” sessions which provides a no-pressure environment for newcomers to try out rugby and nurture their interest in the sport.

The official relaunch of the section is scheduled for the 1st of October. Training will commence at 9:00 AM at Merton Lane, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for young female rugby players in the region. Additionally, the season’s first “Pitch Up and Play” session will take place straight after.

If you are an aspiring rugby player and want to attend try to bring with you a pair of boots (or sturdy trainers), a water bottle and a healthy dose of enthusiasm. For inquiries or to express interest in joining, please email Girls@cantrugby.co.uk.

Team Manager Becky McCracken says:”It is a thrilling new chapter for Kent’s young female rugby enthusiasts, one that promises to make waves in the world of rugby.”

Download the Girls training poster here.

We Will Focus

Posted on | by David Haigh

Last time we played away at Esher we lost 26-0. To come away eight points behind and fighting to the end there are obviously positives for us to take away from Saturday, but our overwhelming feeling is that we missed an opportunity. After the slowest of starts we were staring down a 17 point deficit. Esher had taken their chances well, but off the back of our cumulative errors. The quality of our current squad showed eventually, and we had two good scores to go in 22-14 at the half. We had all the territory and possession in the second half need to come away with a win, but errors blocked our ability to get over the line. The other disappointment is to leave empty handed. We learnt the lesson last season that good league campaigns are built on continually adding to your points tally, win or lose.
Three games in and our understanding of what we need to do to be at our best is coming into focus. We need to make sure this week against Wimbledon we are clinical with the opportunities we create. Wimbledon visit us off the back of a good win last week against Westcombe Park and our focus will be at being at our best for 80 minutes.

The Pilgrims started their league campaign with a great win at home to Beccehamians. The whole 1st and 2nd XV squad is much stronger this season and there are some very talented players representing the Pilgrims again this week.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Derby Day For Pilgrims

Posted on | by David Haigh

Thanet Wanderers v Pilgrims

It’s East Kent derby time for the Pilgrims who travel to met Thanet Wanderers first team at St Peter’s, Broadstairs on Saturday, kick-of 3pm. We had planned to play the game on Friday evening under floodlights but our old rivals were unable to get permission from the local council who own the ground. The side will be looking to build on last week’s encouraging start to their Counties Kent 1 season. With scrum half Ben Cooper called up for first team duty Hector Valldares gets his opportunity in the Number 9 shirt. Number Eight Alex Evans captains the team.

Pilgrims Pass First Test

Posted on | by David Haigh

Canterbury Pilgrims 30 Beccehamians 23

by John Mitchell

Having won promotion into Counties 1, this was always going to be a challenge against the side who were among the front runners last season but Pilgrims made a great start. A team try, perhaps the best they will score all season, gave them a one minute lead. After a move that involved just about everyone Seb Clark went over out wide left, but debutant Tom McMann failed to convert. Within a minute McMann had a kick charged down and suddenly the home side were 5-7 down. The visitors then took control and with a heavier pack looked like they could well run away with it. A converted push over try ensued and Becs were 5-12 up. A solo run by the in-form Max Campbell closed the gap with a try but McMann could not convert. With 26 minutes gone the visitors were making good runs, running good lines and had good possession. Pilgrims were not in the game, and another penalty was slotted to make it 10-15. Then the Pilgrims started to take control, literally camped in the Becs twenty-two, but they could not score. Even with Alex Evans making his presence felt, he was voted supporters best forward. It must be said that every player in the pack had an outstanding game individually but they kept trying to bulldoze their way through and the attack was too narrow. Time and again the away side stopped them from scoring. Canterbury then got a penalty within kicking distance but McMann opted for a kick and line-out. From the throw, the Pilgrims scored a push over try with Stanley Bull carrying over; he was having an outstanding game for someone who was playing colts rugby only last season. McMann got his scoring boots on to convert and the home side went in at half-time 17-15 up. Tom was now in charge, and his second half performance won him the supporters backs man of the match. From a line-out, a sliding maul to the left saw Bull pass out to Cooper, to Dayes to Campbell to Geddes who powered over to score out wide and McMann duly slotted – 24-15. Becs immediately scored from a penalty but McMann replied for Pilgrims to make it 27-18. Twenty minutes gone and the visitors used their power and scored another push over try, but failed to conver. McMann from 37 yards then kicked a great penalty to make it 30-23. A miss a few minutes later gave the home side a very squeaky last ten! A match winning tackle by Ollie McGann, which saw him taken off injured, meant that the home side had to endure five minutes of real pressure. This was duly done and it will be interesting to see how this new side progresses.

Pilgrims: G.Lister, M.Campbell, M.Dayes, S.Trew-Neville, A.Geddes, T.McMann, B.Cooper, C.Macmillan, S.Bull, D.Huntley, J.De Vries, T.Mackenzie J.Dengate, S.Clark, A.Evans. Replacements: H.Andrews, O.McGann, F Holland-Oliver

Canterbury Fall Short

Posted on | by David Haigh

ESHER 29 CANTERBURY 21

by David Haigh

After a poor start when they conceded seventeen points in the first thirteen minutes Canterbury fought their way back into this game but were never quite accurate enough to recover the lost ground. An Esher side looking for a swift return to National Division One after last season’s relegation used the ball more effectively and held up well in defence when the city side’s pack edged matters in the second half. A last ditch cover tackle in the final moments denied Canterbury not only a fourth try but a couple of bonus points and it was a little harsh on them that their battling efforts went unrewarded. After last week’s blistering early spell against Tonbridge Juddians the city side this time found themselves on the receiving end as the hosts helped themselves to three quick tries. A clean break saw Charlie Morgan grab the first after only two minutes, scrum half Pierre Thompson scored number two from a great counter attack and hooker Andy Hamilton broke off a maul to punish a team that was falling off too many tackles. It could have been worse had Sam Morley managed more than one conversion. From that bleak point the city side began their revival act and it was the pack who breathed life into the game as Tyler Oliver crossed the line from a driving maul. Frank Reynolds’ fine conversion from wide out was another booster but Esher struck again when the defence fatally stood off and wing James Botterill broke a tackle to claim the bonus point try. Canterbury needed another score in the ten minutes before half time and found it through a close range forward effort. Prop Pierce Holland powered over and with Reynolds second conversion they were only eight points adrift at the break and back in business. The second half was a far tighter affair but it was the skills of the Esher backs that saw them pull away again as Botterill ghosted into the line from his wing and Morley converted. It was the struggle to open up that kind of space that blighted the city side’s ambitions and they cracked it only once as replacement Tom Best cleverly stepped his way to the posts. Reynolds converted and the team were on the front foot in the closing stages. Wing Jack Weaver looked a certain scorer but he was forced into touch inches from the line and Canterbury went home frustrated.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, G.Jones, L.Hollidge, J.Weaver, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, P.Holland, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, S.Rogers, C.Murray, T.Oliver. Replacement: E.O.Donoghue, W.McColl, T.Best, P.Farrance, H.Furneaux

Pilgrims First Test

Posted on | by David Haigh

It will be an interesting test for the Pilgrims on Saturday as they play their first Counties One Kent league fixture at home to Beccehamians, kick-off 3pm. After their successful promotion campaign last season they find themselves as the only club second team in the higher league. The side will be captained by scrum half Ben Cooper and the squad has a great mix of youth and experience.