Author: David Haigh

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.

Big Improvement

Posted on | by David Haigh

What a difference a week makes. I was so pleased for the players that within a week they turned the disappointment of Sevenoaks into such a strong performance on Saturday. I obviously love a good lineout maul, and to see it produce five tries and really apply pressure on Tonbridge, was something I really enjoyed. I don’t think Nathan Morris minded getting on the score sheet four times either! There are still a few things for us to tighten up on, but we spoke in the week about getting the job done and the players did that without question.
Looking forward to the weekend, Esher will provide another strong test. Following their season in National 1, they will be keen to return at the first time of asking and have a squad to do so. We are stronger than the last time we played in Esher, and I can’t wait to see the players show what they are capable of. For supporters traveling to Esher please note that the entrance fee is £15

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Canterbury’s Crushing Win

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 45 TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS 19

by David Haigh

On a stifling September day it was Canterbury who ran hottest as they crushed Juddians in this feisty Kent derby. The player who applied the heat to the visitors was hooker Nathan Morris who scored four of his side’s seven tries as a dominant pack turned catch and drive opportunities into match winning points. The first Morris score came after only three minutes and by the end of the first quarter Canterbury had secured a four try bonus point and were 26 points ahead. Frank Reynolds’ towering kick into the sun, spilled by the visitors, set up the second try, scored by centre Lewis Hollidge, before Morris twice went to work again in those expertly marshaled mauls. Playing catch up rugby so early in the game set Juddians a serious challenge but they responded with two tries in a four minute spell. Sam Evans opened space for Alex Brown for the first and then lock Perry Parker had his own driving maul moment and Evans converted. It was only a temporary loss of grip for a determined Canterbury and when captain Jamie Stephens took the same route to the line as Morris and Reynolds landed his fourth conversion the city side went into the break 33-12 ahead. A Juddians team looking for salvation made a good start to the second half with a try for hooker Will Holling, and an Evans conversion, but It proved to be their last shot. Canterbury stretched away again as Aiden Moss put a fine finishing touch to some incisive handling, Reynolds adding the extras, and that man Morris was driven over for his fourth on 53 minutes. There was still a twist to the Canterbury tale in the later stages when they were hit by a flurry of cards, one of them a red for lock Shay Kerry. Reduced to defending with twelve men they dug in magnificently to deny Juddians the consolation of a losing bonus point,

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

View match photos

v Tonbridge Juddians - 9 Sept 2023

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

ANOTHER DERBY DAY

Posted on | by David Haigh

Canterbury v Tonbridge Juddians

Last week was not the start we were looking for. Two defensive errors cost us 14 points, added to a handful of converted penalties and we ended one point behind. Alfie Orris’s fantastic solo effort at the death nearly snatched it for us but when reviewing the vast quantity of possession we had in the attacking 22, we were nowhere near clinical enough. We created some great line breaks and built pressure but came up with errors at crucial times. We had some very honest words in the post match huddle and changes have been made for this weekend to give other members of the squad a chance to show what they can bring.

Any fixture against Tonbridge always has an extra degree of excitement due to the local rivalry. We will be looking to fix the wrongs of last week and get our season started this Saturday.

Pilgrims Take Control

Posted on | by David Haigh

SEVENOAKS 2ND 5 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 17

Twenty three players travelled to Sevenoaks, trying to make a new side gel. With changes throughout the game it was not an easy task for Head Coach, Jon Foster, but with some help from the injured First team player Will Waddington, this was achieved. The players however did not always do what they have been asked to do! From the kick off, the visitors made an error that nearly let Oaks in for a try. Dan Huntley, Sonny Trew-Neville and Tom Halliday’s combination nearly gave Pilgrims the lead and more excellent attacking play seemed likely to result in a score, but not to be. Brad Law tried a little grubber kick and chase, still no luck. A couple of penalties, a few line outs, Pilgrims camped in the opposition twenty two, but still no score. Then on 14 minutes, after a great kick and chase by Halliday, and the resulting scrum, Pilgrims got the ball wide to Max Campbell to speed over but Brad failed with his conversion.Jesse De Vries and Freddie Holland-Oliver came on for Dan Huntley and Will Hunt. It should have opened the flood gates, but Sevenoaks were made of sterner stuff. They proceeded to make it difficult for a talented Canterbury side, so much so, after 30 minutes, a missed tackle saw the home side run through to score, but fail to convert. Half-Time arrived with the sides locked 5-5.An excellent team talk by captain, Ben Cooper, and the introduction of Harry Andrews, Tom Mackenzie and Michael Fankah saw the Pilgrims take back control in the second half, but they could not take advantage of all their possession! Knock-ons, poor passing and a lack of patience meant that after 20 minutes it was still level, and all to play for. Even the return after two years recovering from serious injuries of Will Hunt, Seb Clark and Gus Lister was not enough, but they all got through the game without any problems. There was more frustration when Lister broke free, got the ball to Harry Andrews, but when a try was there for the taking, he knocked on! Then Cameron Macmillan, player of the match, peeled of the back of a rolling maul for an unconverted score. More pressure built, Trew-Neville went over and Lister converted.

The final result was correct, but the Pilgrims have much to work on over the next two weeks before they start the league campaign against Beccehamian on Saturday 16th September at The Marine Travel ground. Come along and watch their quest to win in an all Ist XV team league.