Author: David Haigh

BEST OF THE SEASON

Posted on | by David Haigh

HAVANT 5 CANTERBURY 61

by David Haigh

The bare statistics of this Canterbury performance read as follows: nine tries scored, a winning run now standing at five games and the season’s biggest victory which closed the gap on third placed Dorking in the National 2 East league table to just two points. Equally impressive was the combination of efficiency and panache they displayed in achieving this win. The city side arrived with a reshuffled squad plagued by injury and illness but their flexibility and depth of talent banished any doubts as they produced a stunning display of attacking rugby. They were thirty points in front by half time, with a try bonus secured, and after a cautious start proved deadly with the ball in hand. An early Frank Reynolds penalty goal was the only score until the nineteenth minute when the fly half’s pin point cross kick was plucked out of the air by Kurt Heatherley for the opening try. The work in the loose of an aggressive pack now began to pay dividends, with back row trio of Chad Thomas, Sam Rogers and Tyler Oliver in prime form. Havant, vulnerable in defence and eclipsed at the line outs, had no answers as Canterbury used their domination of possession to maximum effect. Adventurous handling created a wonderful second try which started behind their own line, went the length of the field and Garry Jones finished off. A catch and drive from the pack was next with Eoin O’Donoghue touching down and the bonus point score went to Rogers who was on the end of more swift off loading. A second penalty goal and conversion from Reynolds completed the first half set and it took just two minutes of the new half for Havant to crack again, Jones’ powerful hand off making space for Oliver’s try. Havant rallied over the next twenty minutes as Canterbury’s ball retention went missing but they found the city defence a real stumbling block. The hosts came away with just a catch and drive try from Cam Boa but in the final quarter Canterbury overpowered them with four more tries, three of them converted. As the frequent line breaks came and Havant wilted there was one for Tom Best, back on first team duty, quickly followed by Tom Williams and Harvey Furneaux and another for that serial poacher O’Donoghue who rounded off Canterbury’s memorable afternoon with a score from a quick tap penalty in the final minute.
Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, W.Waddington, T.Best, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E. Donoghue, D.Herriott, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.Cooper, H.Furneaux, M.Campbell, O Frostick, D.Irvine

After the game Head Coach Matt Corker said:
“I am very happy with how clinical we were in attack. There were obviously a good number of tries but I don’t feel like we wasted many opportunities, which is pleasing. There was also a very important period early in the second half, after we had conceded, where our hard work in defence kept a physical Havant “team from adding to their tally. The way we wrestled back control from this pressure shows the progress we are making.” 

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v Havant - 25 Jan 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

CHALLENGING ROAD TRIPS

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW
We wanted to start our year on the right note and last Saturday’s performance was just what we were aiming for. Built on one of the best defensive displays of the season so far, we came out on top in a battle of 4th in the league versus fifth. Our second half try line defence and the way the forwards dealt with the Guernsey maul ultimately made the difference on the scoreboard. As a group, we have spoken about “what’s behind your try line”, what is the personal reason that the players put their bodies on the line for the team to succeed. They showed how strongly they believe in these reasons on Saturday. Although there was some rust, we also had some great moments with the ball in hand and earned another nomination for try of the week. This time not scored by Tom Williams, but he did give the final pass!
We now roll into three weeks on the road, something that I cannot remember doing as a player or coach. I have encouraged the players to adapt their mindset to this challenge. One, if we conquer it will set us up for the business end of the season. Havant have had some good wins and some very near misses in their last five home games and we are expecting a tough fixture, much like the game at the Marine Travel ground.
The Pilgrims enjoy a weekend off following their strong win against Deal and Betteshanger. They stormed to a 40-3 lead by half time, finishing at 54-14. Bromley travel to Merton Lane next week for a game that has been on the horizon for a while. They sit in second place on the same number of losses with a game in hand. One of the Pilgrim’s two defeats this season came at the hands of Bromley and this result will play a big part in deciding who will be top of the league in April.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

PIILGRIMS SEAL THE DEAL

Posted on | by David Haigh

DEAL & BETTESHANGER 15 PILGRIMS 54

by Dan Gill

The Pilgrims made the short journey to local rivals Deal & Betteshanger in what the players were dubbing ‘Battle of the Bests’ with former Canterbury man Ollie lining up for Deal against brother Tom. The elder Best ended up with most of the bragging rights in this Counties Kent One victory.
Pilgrims have been slow starters at times but since the turn of the year they have raced out of the blocks and Saturday was no different. The forwards soon made inroads with their strong running and the backs looked slick with ball in hand. Only good Deal tackling prevented a couple of early attacks leading to scores.
The travelling supporters didn’t have to wait long however, as the forwards looked to rumble over from a maul which was stopped illegally. From the penalty Al Evans scored out wide which was well converted by Owain Collins. A second quickly followed when wing Max Campbell intercepted a pass and outpaced the defence to score and give the city side a 14-0 lead. Deal came back with an Ollie Best penalty goal.
At the 20 minute mark the Pilgrims used two interchanges with Dan Gill and Harry Sloan- making his Canterbury debut- entering the fray. The next score came via the scrum and it was Evans’ well timed pass, after picking up from the base, that put wing Gus Lister through a gap to dot down and Collins converted. A further three scores followed before half time as Pilgrims went up a gear. Fly half Collins was causing Deal all sorts of problems, taking the ball to the line well before putting his team mates into space. The next score came after his delayed pass sent Evans bursting through a gap then feeding Cam MacMillan who drove deep into the Deal 22. He offloaded to Man of the Match Yannick de Moubray who unselfishly put Lister over for his second try with Collins missing his only conversion of the day.
Collins then exploited a gap himself before scrum half Hector Valladares cantered under the posts and there was a sixth try shortly before the break. Flanker Jesse de Vries, making a welcome return from long term injury, stole possession at a lineout and strong running centres Best and Sonny Trew-Neville made inroads before sending flanker Tom McKenzie through a gap to give the Pilgrims a commanding 40-3 lead.
The second half was a much more even affair as Deal responded with direct running and committed tackling. They capitalised on a five metre scrum for a converted score before Pilgrims backs set up Campbell for his second touchdown. Silly penalties gave the hosts an attacking lineout and they did well to drive over for their second try. Lock Henry Kenny added the final score of the day, showing the defence a clean pair of heels to take the score past the fifty mark.
The Pilgrims have a week off before they return to action on Saturday, February 1st when they host Bromley at the MTG in what could be a season defining game.

Pilgrims: MacMillan, Rothery, Frostick, Kenny, De Moubray, De Vries, Mackenzie, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Campbell, Best, Trew-Neville, Lister, G Hilton, Gill, Hunt, Sloan.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR CANTERBURY

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 24 GUERNSEY RAIDERS 15

by David Haigh

If there were any doubts about Canterbury’s reaction to a weather delayed start to the New Year they were put to rest in this full on National 2 East battle. They twice came from behind before a brace of second half tries finally saw off the Raiders challenge and confirmed that the city side’s strong pre-Christmas form was no flash in the pan. The victory was a statement of the progress made since they fell to their heavies defeat of the season at Guernsey back in September. In that game, wing Garry Jones’s hat trick of tries could not save them. Here he was again in great shape, with two touchdowns, but this success was as much about the tackle count as the try count. At critical stages it was Canterbury’s committed defenders who kept at bay a dangerous Raiders side which was dominating possession, then found the poise to close out the match. Frank Reynolds gave them an early lead with a penalty goal but as the initial pressure faded Guernsey took charge of the ball and a powerful driving maul brought a try for hooker James Burger. Charlie Simmonds missed the conversion but made amends with a 29th minute penalty shot. It was close to the end of the first half before Canterbury built another meaningful attack and it paid off handsomely when Reynolds slid a grubber kick behind the defence and Jones dived on it for the try. Reynolds excellent conversion took his side to a 10-8 half time lead but that vanished soon after the break when Guernsey produced an impressive score. Simmonds clean break was sustained by great support and off-loading before Sam Boyland touched down between the posts and the conversion was a formality. A yellow card for Tyler Oliver added to Canterbury’s problems as Raiders stayed on the front foot but it was the city side, still in calm and confident mood, who regained the lead. A Kurt Heatherley cross kick spurred an attack and this time it was the home side’s skillful off loading that put Harvey Furneaux over and Reynolds converted. The clincher came in the 65th minute as Canterbury worked the ball wide from a scrum, the smallest of gaps opened and Jones, having switched to centre, stretched over the line and Reynolds converted. Guernsey hurled themselves back into the mix in the closing stages but an unyielding and physical home defence got its reward.

CANTERBURY: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, A.Moss, W.Waddington, H.Young, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements A.Cooper, H.Furneaux, T.Williams, C.McGovern, N.Morris.

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v Guernsey - 18 Jan 2025

Images are subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

TEST OF OUR PROGRESS

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

However hard you try you can’t beat the weather. Saturday turned out to be a disappointing false start to the year as we travelled to Worthing expecting to play. On arrival, it became very clear that the ground was frozen in large areas. After the obligatory shuffle around the pitch trying to get a fork into the solid turf, and a short discussion with the referee and Worthing’s captain, we packed up and headed home. Not a great use of a Saturday from our perspective.
This weekend we welcome Guernsey to the Marine Travel Ground. Our visitors are one place behind us in the table with a game in hand. Our previous meeting was at the end of September in Guernsey where we were outscored by six tries to three. We came off second best in the physicality stakes and this was reflected in the scoreline. We feel that we have made some good steps forward since the beginning of the season and tomorrow offers us the opportunity to measure our progress.
The Pilgrims made the most of their fixture being playable by scoring 67 points against Park House on the Langton 3G. The fast track allowed them to show the speed within the squad with eight different players scoring tries, including a brace for Tom Mackenzie and a hat trick for Harry Chubb. This Saturday away to Deal and Betteshanger will offer a different challenge and the Pilgrims will have to be at their physical best to come away with a result.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Tempo Tells For Pilgrims

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 67 PARK HOUSE 12

by Dan Gill

With frost impacting fixtures across the county, this game was moved to the 4g pitch at the Langton to ensure it went ahead. The city side signalled their intent from the first whistle with some typically aggressive defence. This led to the first score of the afternoon when Pilgrims defence pressed hard and centre Harry Chubb intercepted a Park House pass to race through and score the first of his hat trick of tries and give Owain Collins a simple conversion. This was quickly followed by a second unconverted score from Guy Hilton before Park House responded with a close range try of their own out wide to bring the score to 12-5. 
The Pilgrims responded well and had the bonus point secured before half time with tries from Cam MacMillan and Chubbs taking the Half time score to 24-5.
The second half saw the Pilgrims up their accuracy and speed of play to a tempo that Park House found difficult to live with. Backs and forwards combined well to add a further seven tries. Henry Kenny continuing his fine scoring form to burst through and race away to touch down before wingers Lister and True-Neville added tries of their own. Veteran centre Tom Best got in on the act with a typically direct run to power over before open side flanker Tom Mackenzie added a brace with his quick feet and turn of pace. Chubb’s hat trick score completed the rout. To their credit the visitors were always a threat and scored arguably the try of the day with the final whistle looming. A loose pass was expertly flicked up by the Park House centre who re-gathered his deft touch before racing through for a converted try.
Next Saturday the team travel to local rivals Deal & Bettseshanger for what is always a competitive fixture. 
Pilgrims: MacMillan, Rothery, Frostick, Kenny, De Moubray, Geddes, Mackenzie, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Lister, Best, Chubb, Trew-Neville, G Hilton, Gill, Divine, Sloan. 

THE WINNING BLUEPRINT

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

We ended the year exactly how we wanted to, backing up our big win against Dorking, finishing the block three wins from three and going into the Christmas rest on a high. We are proud of our performances in 2024, but as I said to the players at training the break is a reset and this week we have one chance to start 2025 on the right foot. After our win at Dorking we know what it takes to get good results on the road and we will be using that performance as our blueprint tomorrow. We will not be taking Worthing lightly, regardless of their league position they scored an average of 20 points per game in November and December and have been in the league a long time.
The Pilgrims also went into the festive period with a strong win against Ashford, racking up 76 points. Last week’s fixture versus Charlton Park went ahead as a 10 v 10 friendly and, although not ideal, getting a game for both teams is always the priority. The Pilgrims host Park House tomorrow and every week they are playing to stay at the top of the pile.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

PILGRIMS END YEAR IN STYLE

Posted on | by David Haigh

ASHFORD 3 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 76

by Dan Glll

Pilgrims made the short trip to Ashford looking to finish the year with an improved performance after being deservedly beaten on their last outing at Sevenoaks.
They started brightly and quickly found themselves three points in front through a simple Owain Collins penalty goal. This was increased to ten shortly after when Harry Chubb, making his Pilgrims debut, found Gus Lister and his fine break saw him beat the covering defenders to dot down. Guy Hilton and Max Campbell added scores before Henry Kenny finished off a fine flowing passage of play where forwards and backs exchanged passes seamlessly. Collins landed one of a number of difficult kicks from the touch line.
Ashford were struggling to contain a Pilgrims side who were having the better of the set pieces and dominating the breakdown. They resorted to kicking long in an attempt to relieve pressure but a loose kick was returned by Collins with interest for a fine 50-22. The subsequent lineout became a driving maul which saw the forwards power over. When the half time whistle blew Pilgrims held a commanding 46-0 lead
The second half followed a similar pattern with Pilgrims’ showcasing some fine attacking rugby to add a further 30 points. Ashford never gave up and mounted a few promising attacks, but aggressive defence and counter rucking kept them on the back foot. The hosts only points came from a penalty goal but from the kick off typically aggressive rucking saw Pilgrims turn the ball over. It was moved wide by the backs before Yannick De Moubray galloped through a gap in the defence to add his second try of the game. He then landed the conversion to cap a fine individual performance and see Pilgrims finish 2024 how they started the year – at the top of Counties Kent 1.
Pilgrims: Everrat, Demery, MacMillan, Kenny, De Moubray, Hunt, Divine, Evans, Valladares, Campbell, Collins, Chubb, Lister, Trew-Neville, G Hilton, Gill, Cooper, Geddes.

HOLIDAY HIGH FOR CANTERBURY

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 35 SEVENOAKS 22

by David Haigh

Canterbury go into the Christmas break on a high with this bonus point victory which cements their fourth place in National 2 East. After the stellar performance at Dorking the previous week it was a solid, rather than spectacular, show against a Sevenoaks side who themselves came into the the game on a three match winning streak. They were a point ahead at half time but the city side scored three of their five tries in the second half as their domination of scrums and lineouts kept them firmly in control. The first points of the match came from the boot of Sevenoaks full back Ben Adams, with a 24th minute penalty goal, but that brought an immediate response from a Canterbury team playing cannily into the strong wind. Frank Morgan carried hard into the ‘Oaks defence and, once there, the pack made the most of it with a try from hooker Eoin O’Donoghue, converted by Frank Reynolds. That was countered by Oaks wing Harry Barker, who grabbed a pinpoint cross kick from Ed Shepherdson, and Canterbury then handed the visitors a second try, this one converted by Adams. A spilled pass was booted 50 metres down field and when the chasers arrived Drew Forrester made a good pick up to score and open an eight point lead. But the visitors were still vulnerable and when Canterbury probed again Barney Stone was yellow carded and Oaks were punished by a close range try from Tyler Oliver. With Reynolds adding the goal points it rewarded a good first half containing effort. Going down wind after the break the city men quickly put their stamp on the game. It took two minutes for the backs to launch Alfie Orris for the third try and the powerful wing then turned provider for the next score, bursting through a hole and sending Morgan across for the bonus point touch down. Reynolds, who does not miss much these days, converted both tries and completed a full house when O’Donoghue claimed his second try after the mighty home pack, where flanker Chad Thomas had an impressive afternoon, drove a maul over 20 metres. His late yellow card was a disappointment but Oaks, starved of primary possession to make any lasting impact, did make their extra man count with a try from prop Sam Begbie, converted by Adams. They still went home empty handed.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, A.Orris, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, O.Frostick, E.O.Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: N.Morris, H.Furneaux, C.McGovern, H.Young, W.Hilton

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v Sevenoaks - 21 Dec 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Moving Forward

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

What a Saturday. Beating second in the league, who were on a ten game winning streak at their ground, is no mean feat and is a massive turnaround from how we have played at Dorking in recent seasons. The players raised their physicality to a new level and executed the plan, putting in one of the best performances of the season so far. It’s important to acknowledge that we won by the finest of margins, with Dorking missing a conversion with the last kick of the game. After a dominant first sixty minutes we had established a commanding 18 point lead but small bursts of consecutive errors swung the pressure back onto us and big defensive efforts were not rewarded due to playing penalty advantages. To make sure our fate remains in our own hands, the fix is removing these small indiscretions which collectively can be very influential. That said, it shows how this team is moving forward and it was a performance the players can be immensely proud of.

Many teams in our league can find emotional “get up” for one big game, but the ability to back that up the following weekend is something that separates the good teams from the best. Sevenoaks visit the Marine Travel ground on the back of three wins and the last game of the year is always a one to remember. Our challenge is to replicate the highs of last week so that we go into the Christmas break satisfied. It goes without saying that Sevenoaks will be aiming for the very same.

The Pilgrims travelled to play Sevenoaks 2nd XV last weekend, losing 47-24, one of their worst defeats in recent seasons. As the scoreline suggests defensively we did not meet our usual high standards, but the players fought hard in the final quarter to score an important fourth try to come away with a losing bonus point. Thanks to that point, Sevenoaks now sit one place behind us in the table meaning results in the next run of games are very important for us to maintain our place at the top of the table. The Pilgrims travel to Ashford and are looking to get back to their high performance standards and back to winning ways.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support in 2024. I feel the club and team continue to move in a very positive direction thanks to the enormous amount of backing that we receive and the hours of time that people give to make it such a special place. It makes me extremely excited about 2025. Until then I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year.

Matt Corker, Head Coach