Author: 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

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.

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

SATURDAY PREVIEW

I can’t remember a time in my seven seasons at the club of going in 40-0 down at half time. We have had some tough days on the pitch, but this was new. I think after a day like Saturday there are many ways to review our performance and it is important which angle of reflection we choose. The players said it themselves after the game, there is no way we can forget how we played in the first forty. It is equally important not to gloss over what they achieved in the second half, something that no other team has accomplished against Barnes in a long time. Winning the second half 5-35, scoring seven converted tries against second in the league, is arguably as good as the first half was disappointing.

We spoke at half-time about not being satisfied coming off second best in all the micro battles of the game, believing in what we are capable of and remembering that we represent the club every time we pull on a Canterbury shirt. The strength of the reaction shows how much it means to the players to be part of this team and also what they are capable of. If we can iron out some of the small kinks the potential of this group remains very exciting.

With this being the business end of the season, when results decide league positions, tomorrow is an important game. Old Albanians sit eight points behind us, coming off the back of three wins, and it sets up Saturday as a decisive game in this round. We are focused on showing we can play as we did in the second forty minutes of last week, from the first whistle.

With their win against Dover, and tomorrow’s cancellation against Cranbrook, the Pilgrims only have two games remaining for them to maintain their position and be crowned Counties Kent One champions. It may feel very close but we will be taking nothing for granted when the tam return to action on the 22nd March, away to Heathfield and Waldron, before the final game two weeks later at home to Crowborough.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Pilgrims 43 Dover 19

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims elected to play up the slope in the first half and imposed their game plan on the visitors from the outset. The early signs were promising as good handling following a Dover dropped ball saw the ball moved wide to Guy Hilton who made a strong break up the touch line and sent in form wing man Gus Lister racing away to score, making the conversion a formality for Owain Collins. Next, when Dover infringed just inside their 22 metre area, a tap penalty move was well executed before centre Harry Sloan crossed out wide.. Canterbury continued to look dangerous, particularly out wide, but it was the forwards turn to show what they were made of as a number of strong runs pushed Dover back before man of the match Isaac Divine picked up and drove through three defenders to add a third try. Dover looked to respond with some strong running and good handling but a mistake out wide saw winger Adrian Geddes collect the ball and outpace everyone to score the bonus point try which Collins converted for 24-0 lead. The visitors responded almost immediately and with Pilgrims looking to move the ball, ex Canterbury stalwart Martyn Beaumont intercepted a loose pass and cantered in to score. They added a second converted touchdown on the stroke of halftime as their busy scrum half burrowed over after a series of pick and goes to make it 24-14 at the break, It was Dover who started the second half brighter and after a ten minute stalemate, they got their third try in the corner after good handling saw them create a textbook overlap and reduce the gap to just five points The Pilgrims responded by introducing their replacements and it wasn’t long before momentum switched back their way with centre Tom Halliday making an instant impact on his return from long term injury. His driving run sucked in defenders and the Pilgrims backs spread the ball wide where Lister ran in his second try, topped up by the conversion. The hat trick followed after a well worked move saw him glide through a gap and dot down near the posts which allowed Collins to add the extras. Dover suffered a number of injuries and had to reshuffle but just as they mounted a promising attack, Pilgrims turned the ball over and the direct running Sonny Trew-Neville put the finishing touch to a solid display that keeps the team top of Counties 1 with three games to play. Next weekend the Pilgrims welcome Cranbrook to the MTG.

Pilgrims: Macmillan, Demery, Morris, Irvine, Hunt, Mackenzie, Divine, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Lister, Sloan, Trew-Neville, Geddes, G Hilton, Everatt, Fielder, T Halliday.

Beccehamians 20 Canterbury Pilgrims 27

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims travelled to Beccehamians keen to avenge last season’s humbling 60-point defeat on the same ground and this time it was a different story. The match kicked off with Pilgrims playing up the slope and immediately looking to implement their patterns of play when it would have been more prudent to clear their lines. This proved to be the case as the ball was turned over and Beccehamians busy open side flanker exploited space at the side of the ruck to scamper through and touch down for a converted score after only two minutes. The city side responded well and when Beccehamians conceded a penalty in front of the posts Owain Collins stepped up to slot the goal. From the kick off a strong burst from Adrian Geddes put Pilgrims on the front foot and when the ball was moved to the opposite wing Max Campbell went on a trade mark run that saw him beat four defenders. Quick recycling then saw Guy Hilton’s pass find second row man Henry Kenny who had too much pace and power for the defence and he touched down to continue his remarkable scoring run, having now claimed tries in his last five matches. Collins converted before adding a second penalty goal shortly after to open a six point gap.. Beccehamians remained a threat but the Pilgrims defence was back to its early season best with some big hits from skipper Al Evans, Kenny and Tom Mackenzie. The scrum was also proving a real weapon for the city side and the next score came from their good work. As Beccehamians pack retreated, it gave the backs time and space to send full back and Man of the Match Gus Lister through for an excellent first phase try. With half time looming Beccehamians hit back hard when the Pilgrims again left space at the edge of a ruck and a strong running lock dived over for an unconverted score to make 20-12 at the break The second half was a scrappy affair. Promising Pilgrims attacks were hampered by handling errors or infringements that allowed Beccehamians to relieve pressure and the first score went to the home side through a penalty goal. It left Pilgrims with a precarious five point advantage.. However, with the clock running down they finally made the game safe when prop Nathan Morris intercepted a wayward pass and cantered in from 25 metres to score under the posts and make Collins’ conversion a formality. In the last play of the game Beccehamians grabbed a third try to secure a losing bonus point but Pilgrims’ stay top of Counties 1 with four games to complete. They now have a week off before welcoming local rivals Dover to the MTG on 1st March.

Canterbury: Macmillan, Demery, Morris, Kenny, Irvine, Hunt, Mackenzie, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Geddes, Trew-Neville, G. Hilton, Campbell, Lister, Mills, Divine, Foster.