Author: David Haigh

Westcliff vs 1st XV

MATCH PREVIEW

Posted on | by David Haigh

Last week’s physical battle against Tonbridge Juddians took its toll with injuries dictating the make up of the squad travelling to Westcliff. Debuts are given to backs Ross Howard and Tom Halliday while Frank Reynolds and Tyler Oliver are fit again and named in the starting line-up. Head Coach Matt Corker says: “Local derbies are always highly charged affairs and last Saturday was no exception. After playing some great rugby in the opening thirty minutes, and giving ourselves over a twenty-point lead, to finish losing was hard to take. Tonbridge’s two scores before half time reduced the deficit and in the second half scoring first put us back in control. From that point, though, we struggled for territory and errors in the Tonbridge half prevented us from adding to our tally. I was really proud of the commitment the team showed. Players left the field with injuries but were willing to return to try and give all they had for the team. This is a great reflection of how much our performance means to the group. The lesson for us is, if we want to beat teams that are expecting to be at the top end of the table, we have to be able to play at a high intensity for 80 minutes and be able to win the territorial battle.

“After that physical encounter, both Aiden Moss and Charlie Kingsman will be unavailable to play at Westcliff due to injury. Frank Reynolds returns to fly half after a short injury lay off. He doesn’t like missing games and will be keen to get his hands on the ball again. It is also good to see the return of Tyler Oliver into the back row. Westcliff lost narrowly in their own local Derby against Rochford and will go into the weekend hunting for their first win. We know from our visit last season that we will have to start with intensity to come away with the result that we want.”

PILGRIMS AT HOME
There is league rugby at The Marine Travel Ground on Saturday where the Pilgrims play their first home match in Counties East 2 against Southwark Lancers with a 3pm kick-off.

Vigo vs Pilgrims

Pilgrims Miss Out

Posted on | by David Haigh

VIGO 20 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 19

Pilgrims first experience of the new Counties East league ended in the narrowest of defeats. Throughout the game there was little between the sides with the lead changing hands six times before Vigo took advantage of missed tackles to grab a converted try which proved decisive. Canterbury still had fourteen minutes to turn that round but failed to dent the home defence. Vigo took an early lead with a penalty goal before Ollie Finn crashed over for Pilgrims. It was silly penalties that hampered their first half progress and a yellow card for Luke Webber did not help. That handed the home side another three points before prop Will McColl powered over for a try converted by Dan Hills to recapture the lead. However, it was Vigo who went into half time one point ahead after another penalty gave them the chance to create a converted try. That slim advantage was quickly overtaken in the second half when Tom Halliday sent Ross Howard Howard in for Pilgrims third try, again converted by Hills, to leave them in a good position. Then came came those missed tackles which proved to be their undoing as Vigo nosed in front again with a converted try and the visitors had to be content with a losing bonus point.

vs Tonbridge Juddians

Canterbury Lose Physical Battle

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 35 TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS 44

by David Haigh

An epic derby battle ended in huge disappointment for Canterbury who saw a 23 point lead wrestled from their grasp as Juddians turned up the power in the second half. After seeing his battered troops just fail to hold the line Head Coach Matt Corker said: ” I could not fault the effort the boys put in but towards the end we were struggling physically and that was the difference.” An absorbing National 2 East game produced twelve tries and Canterbury, after conceding an early score to Josh Groocock, rattled in four in the first half hour. With fly half Charlie Kingsman converting the lot they seemed irresistible. Aiden Moss made all the running for Ben Cooper’s opener and when an under pressure Juddians lost Rob Louw to a yellow card they were punished with two scores in three minutes. Tom Best joined a driving maul to touch down and in the 25th minute his switch of play and good handling paved the way for Will Waddington. There was more come as the fragile visitors were carved open again and Guy Hilton had the simplest of run ins. As a platform for victory this was as good as it gets, but before half time the cracks appeared and the momentum swung, almost imperceptibly, to the visitors. With former Canterbury man Harvey Young always a danger they had passed up earlier chances but now hit back with tries from forwards Luke Boon and Charlie Munnelly. With a couple of conversions from Tom White Canterbury’s lead was down to eleven. A lucky break early in the second half, when KIngsman’s sliced drop goal attempt fell into the path of Moss, ended with Frank Morgan trotting under the posts but from then on Juddians were a controlling force. Now it was their turn to dominate possession, build the phases, win penalties and and suck the life out of Canterbury. Tries from Matteo Petrozzi, Duncan Tout and Young brought them within a point of a fading and injury prone team. The telling blow came four minutes from the end as wing Bryan Hotston was sent across the line and White converted. To add to Canterbury’s many frustrations, White’s late penalty goal denied them a second bonus point.

Canterbury: A.Moss, G.Hilton, W.Waddington, T.Best, F.Morgan, C.Kingsman, B.Cooper, B.Young, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, H.Andrews, A.Evans, C.Murray.

Replacements: A.Cooper, E.Lusher, F.W Edwards, H.Sansbury, W.Calder

Match photos
v Tonbridge Judds - 10 Sept 2022

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Match report vs North Walsham

OFF TO A FLYER

Posted on | by David Haigh

NORTH WALSHAM 22 CANTERBURY 38

by David Haigh

A flying start to the new season for Canterbury with a six try performance that earned them a maximum five league points. A burst of 26 points in the first 20 minutes of the second half swung the game decisively their way and despite a late surge from newly promoted North Walsham they never looked in danger of being caught. It was an eye-catching transformation for a city side who were behind at the break and failed to shake the long journey to Norfolk out of leaden legs and minds. They were also faced with a home side keen to make an impression in front of a record crowd and who exploited weak tackling to take a seventh minute lead with a try for prop Frank Scott, converted by sharp fly half Matt Hodgson. Tom Best pulled one back after Canterbury forced a five metre scrum but they were dull and lacking any go forward. Hodgson’s penalty pushed Walsham into a deserved five point lead by half time. After forty minutes of flat and dispiriting rugby Canterbury’s change of mood caught everyone by surprise, not least the home side’s defence. It took only one minute of the second half for Aiden Moss to open a gap and Best to grab his second try. Frank Reynolds converted and Canterbury were on the march. The ball carriers were suddenly eating up vital yards, everyone was on the front foot and when a catch and drive opportunity came Nathan Morris finished off. The back division, now enjoying quicker service, joined in the rampage and came up with tries for Charlie Kingsman and Ben Cooper, and with conversions by Reynolds and Best Canterbury coasted into a 31-10 lead. For Walsham the last quarter was a catch-up situation as they searched for a losing bonus point. They fought hard but found it beyond them despite a touch down by Will Hodgson, converted by brother Matt, and a last gasp score from Ethan Sikorski. Those tries were sandwiched by Canterbury’s sixth when a fumbled kick set up the chance for Guy Hilton to stroll over and Best to put the seal on a day that, in the end, turned out very well.

Canterbury: C.Kingsman, G. Hilton, W.Waddington, T.Best, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper, E.Lusher, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.De Vries, A.Evans, H.Furneaux, J.Stephens. Replacements: A.Cooper, B.Young, C.Murray, A.Moss, W.Calder

Match preview

MATCH PREVIEW: NORTH WALSHAM

Posted on | by David Haigh

It is sixteen years since Canterbury were last at North Walsham, Saturday’s opponents in the opening round of the National 2 East season. On that day, in 2006, it was our introduction to rugby at National level while Walsham were established members of the old National 3 structure. Now the situation is reversed with the Norfolk side being promoted last season after several years playing at lower levels. In that first match we lost by ten points and Head Coach Matt Corker is expecting another tough encounter with the home side keen to make an early impression after their successful promotion campaign. He says: “Ten weeks of preseason flies by and even though it has not all gone our way, we have had lots of opportunities to learn, and the group has grown so much over the summer. The players decided that the way that we “gel” is important to us, and they have backed this up by welcoming all our new players into the pack. This has been great to witness, and I love watching characters emerge especially last season’s graduating colts who are experiencing adult rugby for the first time.

“Injuries are unfortunately part of the game and there are a few faces missing for Saturday, but I am a strong believer that this offers an opportunity for someone else to show what they are capable of. We are traveling to North Walsham with a strong squad, and I fully expect them to come all guns blazing. We know from first-hand what it is like being promoted and they will be very keen to have a strong start and we are expecting a physical contest.”

Those injuries have given chances to scrum half Will Calder and flanker Harvey Furneaux, two young and home grown players who have bright futures. There are league debuts also for newcomers Nathan Morris and Cameron Murray. Kick-off is 3pm.

CANTERBURY TALES

Fresh Challenges

So, a new season gets under way and this time the threat of Covid does not hang over it so heavily. With the revamped National 2 league structure in place it feels like a fresh start for everyone. The benefits of splitting the league into three regional divisions could not have come at a better time with fuel and energy costs soaring. There will be less travel and, hopefully, fewer large bills to absorb. Healthy competition remains as,unlike the Premiership, promotion and relegation will keep all the clubs honest. The top club in the three divisions, West, North and East, will be promoted and at the other end of the tables, the bottom two will go down. Our own league looks strong with clubs like relegated Blackheath and Tonbridge Juddians looking for return to National One. All clubs will start with an advantage over Westcliff who have been deducted five points, the price of failure to play their fixture at Worthing last season. Newcomers Sevenoaks have also been under investigation, for different reasons, but there has as yet been no news of any decision by the rugby authorities

Friday Night Bonus

One of the many positives of a busy pre-season programme in August has been the popularity of Friday night rugby. The attendance for the Bishop’s Stortford game was good but was dwarfed by the turnout for the visit of Westcombe Park There were over 400 at The Marine Travel Ground and on the same evening another a healthy crowd at the Simon Langton where the Pilgrims met Thanet Wanderers. It was a real Canterbury ‘old boys’ night where there were familiar faces both on and off the pitch. ‘Combe had our former wing Kieran Thompson in their starting line up while Thanet featured front row men Jimmy Green and Neil Wakefield. Kieran’s time in the Canterbury shirt was blighted by a series of injuries so it was good to see hm fit and well. In the ‘Combe dugout were two former members of our coaching team, Darren Molloy and Dave Marshall, This will be a season where we renew acquaintance with several local clubs because of the new league structures and that, too, was reflected in the size of the crowds..

Match called off - Maidstone vs Pilgrims

PILGRIMS GAME OFF

Posted on | by David Haigh

Pilgrims opening Counties 2 East league game at home to Maidstone on Saturday, September 3rd has been called off.. The club has been trying to find an alternative fixture but has been unsuccessful. The league game has been postponed at Maidstone’s request as they have safety concerns about a lack of contact training due to the present hard playing surfaces. It is a disappointment for the Pilgrims who were looking forward to making their debut in the new league after an encouraging victory over Thant Wanderers 1st in last week’s pre-season friendly. As other club teams are without scheduled fixtures there will be no rugby at the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday.

Chris Smith

Chris Smith

Posted on | by David Haigh

Chris Smith, a former Cardinals player and for many years landlord of one of the area’s most popular pubs, has died aged 81. Our sympathies go to a family that has strong connections to the club with two of Chris three daughters, Lucy and Emily, being former players in our Womens team and grandson Huw just graduating from the Colts having played for the club since he was five years old. Chris was a Londoner who moved to Kent in 1972 and became landlord of The Gate Inn at Marshside for 36 years. In addition to playing for the Cardinals in the 1970s and 80s his love of the game inspired him to found Marshside RFC. Daughters Lucie and Kate are married to two former Canterbury first team players – Kate to Tony White and Lucy to Dave Frattaroli. Chris’s funeral is to be a family affair only but there will be a celebration of his life at Chislet Church on October 29th. The family have requested no flowers but donations can be made to the Pilgrims Hospice.

Pilgrims vs Thanet Wanderers

Pilgrims Make Good Start

Posted on | by David Haigh

PILGRIMS 19 THANET WANDERERS 12

A strong second half revival earned this Friday night pre-season victory for a largely young, untried Pilgrims side in the clash with local rivals Thanet. The visitors, who included former Canterbury first teamers Jimmy Green and Neil Wakefield, opened the scoring through an unconverted try after ten minutes. Wanderers, a strong, well drilled outfit, were giving Canterbury some problems and went further ahead after 29 minutes. A second try, this time down the right, and a good conversion left the Pilgrims 12 points adrift. Despite losing Adrian Geddes to a head injury the city side were now playing the better, open rugby and looked like scoring on a number of occasions in the last 15 minutes of the half.

The second half started with the visitors looking good but within five minutes Ollie Finn, a new recruit from Ashford who had an outstanding debut, crossed for a try, converted by Dan Hills. In a fast paced game both sides had scoring opportunities but it was Pilgrims who broke out of defence to take the lead. Jake Upward ran 70 metres to score and Hills converted. By now Pilgrims had lost Tom Short, Rob Blunden, Joe Craig and Alex Williams to injuries but it did not dent their confidence or quality as they matched a Wanderers side playing one level above them in the league structure. It was Thanet who began to struggle and the old war horse Dan Gill, following a Craig May latch, stretched the lead with his side’s third try, topped up by Gill’s conversion. The last five minutes were not easy but Pilgrims were full value for their win in front of a very good crowd at the Simon Langton 4G pitch facility.

CRFC vs Westcombe Park

SCRUM POWER SETS UP WIN

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 40 WESTCOMBE PARK 17

Head Coach Matt Corker expressed his satisfaction with this win, Canterbury’s final preseason friendly before league business starts next week. “Before the game I would have taken that score,” he said, after watching his side come away with six tries. Despite the margin of victory, however, it was not all plain sailing and it took over half an hour for Canterbury to impose themselves. ‘Combe had dominated possession and with a little more steadiness in attack could have put points on the board. When Canterbury had the ball they were cumbersome and untidy but eventually scrum power got them on the front foot in the closing minutes of the first half. Tries from centre Will Waddington and scrum half Tom Williams, who shot through a gap at the side of ruck, brought a new fluency and in the first 20 minutes of the second half they cruised away. Wing Frankie Morgan, collecting a chip and chase; a penalty try after ‘Combe crumbled under forward pressure, a catch and drive score and some accurate goal kicking by Frank Reynolds pushed them 33 points ahead. With yellow cards flourished against both sides the game became fractured and careless in the final quarter and the visitors helped themselves to three tries. An interception, some slack tackling and confident finishing handed them a late lifeline but it was Canterbury, in the the last play of the match, who underlined their superiority. Prop Will McColl’s powerful close range charge and Reynolds’ fourth conversion put a smile on Coach Corker’s face.

Brighton vs CRFC

BRIGHTON 27 CANTERBURY 26

Posted on | by David Haigh

by Chris Fullbrook

Canterbury visited Brighton for the second of three pre-season warm up games and it was the home side that rocked. Brighton dominated the first 30 minute period, their first try gifted after an error in midfield allowed them to move the ball wide for an unconverted score.

In reply Tom Williams capitalised on a loose ball to kick through and touch down under the posts for Frank Reynolds to convert. However, Brighton finished the stronger of the first session with a converted score of their own and a 12-7 lead despite Canterbury dominating the set piece.

The second thirty-minute period saw Brighton control line out and scrummage with Canterbury looking out of sorts and a third home side score increased their lead to 17-7. With Head coach Matt Corker ringing the changes it was this blend of experience and youth that saw Canterbury play their most profitable rugby in the third period. Despite going further behind to another home score they fought back to take the lead with tries from Aaron Cooper, a close pick and drive; Guy Hilton taking a quick tap and catching the home side napping and Frank Morgan completing a well worked move down the left flank. With Reynolds converting two of the scores Canterbury were two points ahead and seemed to have rescued a disappointing day.

However Brighton took the win with a penalty kick minutes from time and defended desperately at the last as Canterbury were held up over the line.
The club completes their preseason programme on Friday (August 26th)) when they are at home to Westcombe Park. Kick-off 7.30pm.