Author: David Haigh

MATCH PREVIEEW

The last time we won away at Henley was in 2018. That day, a nineteen-year-old, baby-faced Jamie Stephens played at Number 8. The record shows he received a yellow card for a high tackle. Jamie’s memory of the event is that it was a case of mistaken identity and that Jimmy Green was the real culprit. Knowing Jimmy, there’s probably some degree of truth in that recollection!
Getting results where we haven’t in recent history is the only way we can change the course of our season and show the year-on-year improvement we’re working so hard to achieve. That’s what made last Saturday’s win such an important step forward. It was built on relentless defensive effort and a strong set-piece platform. We know it wasn’t a perfect performance and we came away with some key learnings and work-ons. But the lads’ commitment to the cause and the way they fought their way out of difficult situations is something to be extremely proud of.
The Pilgrims recorded another loss last weekend against Gravesend, who remain unbeaten and sit third in the league. Two of the Pilgrims’ first three games have been against teams in the top four, giving the team a valuable opportunity to learn how the best in the league operate. Performances have improved week on week as they fight to find their rhythm at the new level and this was evident last Saturday as they fought back to claim an important bonus point—their third of the season. The value of these points is clear as they sit ninth in the table, still to play all the teams below them. They enjoy a weekend off before facing Brighton at home next week.
The strength of National 2 is notably higher this season and the 1st XV roll into another exciting and challenging fixture. Westcombe Park visit the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday with a record of one win from three so far. This isn’t the full story, though: they sit level on points with us and just one place behind. They have scored more tries than their opposition in both of their defeats, losing on each occasion in the final play.
This is the second of our back-to-back home derbies, always great occasions as the battle for the title of Kent’s best team plays out. We are focused on taking another step forward and we know we’ll need to be at our best to earn it. A great game awaits — I can’t wait.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH

Pilgrims 27 Gravesend 43

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims are still looking for a first victory in Regional 2 but a second half fight back earned them a valuable losing bonus point. They started well and took the lead inside five minutes; the backs stretching Gravesend and opening a gap for Olly Ashley-jones to glide through. He was stopped short but a quick tap penalty was taken and after a series of drives by the forwards, Garry Jones dived over in the left corner. Ashley-Jones converted well from the touchline. The lead was short lived, however, as Gravesend leveled from a penalty kicked deep into the Pilgrims 22, and from the lineout drive the visitors peeled off to score a converted try. Ashley-Jones nudged Pilgrims back in front from a penalty goal and they looked to be asserting themselves but after another spell of possession, they kicked the ball dead when going for the corner. From the resulting scrum Gravesend moved the ball wide for their second converted score. Ashley-jones then was lost to injury and the resulting reshuffle took time for Pilgrims to adjust. Gravesend added a further catch and drive try then started to pull away. and by half time they had plundered three more tries, won a bonus point and built 31-10 lead. The Pilgrims started the second half brightly, but an error at the lineout allowed Gravesend to move the ball wide for a sixth try.
The young City side showed great character to come back into the game from this point. Great attacking phases and aggressive breakdown work saw the visitors reduced to fourteen after a yellow card, which Pilgrims duly exploited by moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other before scoring. Gravesend added their seventh try when their centre cut a great line through some poor defending but the Pilgrims responded with a well worked third touchdown which was converted.
They were were now in the ascendancy and chasing a bonus point score which duly followed after great team play. Forwards and backs combined well to send full back Fraser Doig over on debut. It was another positive step in the right direction, but defensive mistakes again proved costly.

Pilgrims will look to bounce back after a week off when we welcome Brighton to the MTG on 4th October.

Canterbury: Oliver, Bull, Timmerman, Kenny, Hunt, Dengate, Devine, Evans, Lloyd, Ashley-Jones, Geddes, Carter, Jones, Valladares, Doig, Everrat, Mackenzie,Thompson.

HENLEY HAWKS 17 CANTERBURY 22

by David Haigh

A tough as teak defensive effort earned Canterbury a first National 2 East success at Henley for six years. Reaching the break seven points in arrears an assured second half performance, in which they tightened their discipline and scored three tries, saw them finish as deserved winners. After missing an early opportunity to take the lead the city side came under periods of intense pressure as they conceded penalties and turned over possession. But every time the Hawks came knocking they were denied entry and only allowed through the front door once. That came in the 29th minute after Henley’s Max Tichener and Frank Reynolds had kicked a penalty goal apiece. The work of the home forwards at last paid off as Nelly Kinninsburgh was driven over and Tichener converted the try but it was not all one way traffic. Canterbury’s best attacks were let down by dropped passes so it was their organisation and aggression in the tackle that saw them through to half time. They came out for the second half not only refreshed but in clinical mood as they scored two tries in the first ten minutes. It was Hawks who were now stacking up the infringements and feeling the pressure. Mo Pangarker powered over from close range for the first score, converted by Reynolds, and four minutes later fellow flanker Ryley Thomas’s touchdown took the city side into the lead. However, experience has shown that Henley do not surrender easily on their home turf and, despite being handicapped by a series of injuries, they exploited an indifferent kick to win territory and create a try for Oskar White. Tichener booted them back into the lead from the tee. They held on to it for ten minutes but a fine break by scrum half Tom Williams won position, followed by a yellow card for the hosts and a penalty which Canterbury punished with a catch and drive try from Eoin O’Donoghue and a Reynolds conversion. That proved decisive, although Henley came knocking hard again in the late stages. Despite losing Harry Sloan to a yellow card for the final six minutes the city side’s dominant scrum and defensive mastery ensured they gave nothing away.

Canterbury: L.Talbot, H.Furneaux, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, L.Young, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, R.Thomas, M.Pangarker, T.Oliver. Replacements: J.Walker, D.Huntley, K.Heatherley, C.Macmillan, J.De Vries

MATCH PREVIEW

The main thrust of what I said this time last week was that we wanted our attack to be better. Scoring six tries and accumulating 42 points was exactly what we wanted. We were much more clinical and hit 48 percent completion, just below the magic 50 percent. Even though we didn’t score a maul try it was much more threatening and created space for us in Sevenoaks’ twenty-two.

This all came after a slow start and going 0–17 behind. Being able to wrestle back momentum when it is going against you is an important quality of good teams and seeing the players dig deep and turn the ship around was really pleasing. Conceding the final try was disappointing and maintaining control when the game loosens up will be something we need to improve on. Tom Williams also had a good day at the office, bagging himself a hat-trick, which could have been four if not for a forward pass.

Our attention this week swiftly moves to Henley which has been a place of near misses. The last two seasons we have fallen short by a point on both occasions and for us to have a better season than we did last year, winning where we haven’t before is the only way to do it. Henley come into the game still unbeaten and I am expecting another close encounter.

The Pilgrims had another tough afternoon away at Horsham. Horsham were relegated last season from Regional 1 and are another strong team. There were lots of positives in the game, scoring 24 points away from home being one of them, and there is also plenty of learning. This weekend they play Gravesend at the Marine Travel Ground. The team are pushing hard in training and you can see the growth in the players. These are exactly the experiences that we wanted to give our players so they can develop whichever team they play for and they will be hunting down their first win on Saturday.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH

CANTERBURY 42 SEVENOAKS 37

by David Haigh

In boxing terms Canterbury’s first National 2 East victory of the season would have been called ‘a crowd pleaser’ with eleven tries on offer and the result never nailed down until late in the game. The club’s coaches, however, will have viewed it more as a frustrating nail biter as the city side were forced to battle back from an early seventeen point deficit and survive two yellow cards before they edged this Kent derby. For that they can thank scrum half Tom Williams for his hat trick of tries and the reliable boot of Frank Reynolds who converted all six Canterbury touchdowns. Sevenoaks ended the first quarter in total command with tries from Ed Shepherdson and Harry Martin, both converted by Ben Adams who had opened the scoring with a penalty goal. A misfiring Canterbury played into their hands but it was the pack who hauled them back into contention after 25 minutes, winning a penalty close to the posts where Williams sniped over. Number Eight Tyler Oliver was next across the line, making a decisive break and then completing strong forward work. A second Adams penalty goal quickly pegged Canterbury back but greater trouble came when replacement Harry Drane was yellow carded and the city side needed a touch of luck to survive to half time without further damage. Two minutes after the restart, and still operating with a man down, they went in front for the first time, working the close quarter phases before Harry Sloan got the try. It looked like a turning point but then came another sin binning, this time for Eoin O’Donoghue, and the visitors punished it with a second try from flanker Martin. When the hooker returned Canterbury took an important grip and pushed two scores ahead. Williams again found a gap close to the line and then raced clear for this third try to reward O’Donoghue’s break. However, a determined Oaks could not be shaken off and Adams’ astute chip and chase led to a converted try for wing Charlie Corrigan. With six minutes remaining Reynolds sealed what was a very ordinary Canterbury performance with his side’s sixth try, but a deserving Oaks won a second bonus point through an Adams touchdown in the final move of the match,

Canterbury: L.Talbot, H.Furneaux, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds,T.Williams, L.Young, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, R.Thomas, M.Pangarker, T.Oliver, Replacements: H.Dane, K.Heatherley, C.Macmillan, J.Walker, J.De Vries.

MATCH PREVEW

We didn’t discuss it this season, but a focus for us on our previous two trips to Barnes has been to win the first 20 minutes. Historically, we have had some horrific opening quarters and last year’s first half was one of the worst in my coaching career. On Saturday, twenty-nine minutes in, we were seven points to nil ahead and had controlled possession and territory — exactly what we were after.
We allowed Barnes to score two simple maul tries before half-time and went in behind at the break, even though we felt we had enjoyed the better half. Scoring an early try to retake the lead set up the second half nicely, but we conceded shortly after and then again late on to leave empty-handed.
The real story of the game was our inability to back up the positive moments we created. We made five line breaks where we gained over thirty metres — something to be proud of against a strong defence — but on only one occasion did we maintain possession for more than two phases afterwards. That one time, we scored; against the best teams we must be more clinical and can’t afford to waste the opportunities we create.
We know statistically that we need to end our attack sets on a positive outcome more than 50% of the time to win. On Saturday, we were down at 30% completion, a number that only leads to one outcome.
The players have trained really hard this week and Tuesday was one of the best sessions we’ve ever had. But games aren’t won in the week; the only thing that matters is what we do once the first whistle goes tomorrow.
We welcome Sevenoaks to the Marine Travel Ground, who come off the back of losing by the same margin away to Esher. They, like us, will be looking for their first win and I expect nothing less than the usual competitive encounter this local derby brings every year.
Jimmy Walker makes his first appearance for the 1st XV after joining us a few weeks ago from Australia. Kurt Heatherley also returns to the side for the first time since injuring his shin back in February. I’m looking forward to seeing them both run out at Merton Lane and doing what they do best.
The Pilgrims came within the final play of winning their opening game in Regional 2. Ill-discipline cost them late on, with two yellow cards reducing them to 13 men in the final five minutes. A last-minute try from Battersea snatched victory away at the death. Before then, some strong attacking play had put them firmly in the driving seat.
They travel to Horsham tomorrow still searching for that first win. It’s great to see Garry Jones starting at 13 after missing preseason with a knee injury. He has trained well this week and is raring to go.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH

Pilgrims 29 Battersea Ironsides 34

by Dan Gill

The Pilgrims got their season and first foray into Regional 2 under way in an evenly contested encounter which earned them two bonus points. The visitors opened the scoring when some lacklustre Pilgrims defence allowed the Ironsides blindside wing to take a short ball and burst through to score and give the visitors a seven point lead..Pilgrims responded well and after good running from Jimmy Walker and Stan Bull, debutant centre Brayden Smith was on hand to take the final pass and dot down by the posts to give Olly Ashley-Jones a simple conversion
The watching crowd didn’t have long to wait for the next score which again went to Ironsides after more weak centre field tackling led to another converted Ironsides score. The young Pilgrims side again responded positively, and after a series of good drives from the forwards debutant flanker Jimmy Walker picked a good line and ran in unopposed to level things at 14-14.. With half time approaching Pilgrims were caught out when Ironsides took a quick lineout, spread the ball wide. and exploited the space for a converted to give them a 14-21 lead. The break allowed both sides to address their issues and made for an even first 20 mins of before Ironsides extended their lead with a penalty goal. The city side then kicked a penalty deep into Ironsides territory. The lineout was won and the resulting maul was a text book example of set piece execution as hooker Stan Bull touched down for an unconverted score. They were reduced to 14 after Smith received a yellow card but despite the setback, Pilgrims added their bonus point try and took the lead when a tap penalty saw Ruben Kalonji driven over for a converted score. They made their task more difficult when Walker was sin binned for a high tackle, giving Ironsides a simple shot at goal to retake the lead, 26-27. Again w saw a good response and excellent work at the breakdown gave Ashley-Jones the penalty opportunity to restore the lead at 29-27. However, with the clock running down a missed touch kick was punished by Ironsides who kept the ball alive and turned it into the winning try.
Pilgrims: Everatt, Bull, Oliver, Sullivan, Hunt, Walker, Mackenzie, Evans, Lloyd, Geddes, Heatherley, Smith, Fielder, Ingram, Kalonji, Devine, Dengate.

HAVE WE LEARNT?

I think the standard of our preseason fixtures raised a few eyebrows. The three teams we faced were either coming down from National 1, going up to it, or finished 5th last season — all strong sides, but that’s exactly what we wanted.
The only way we improve as a team is by being challenged and stepping up to those challenges. The only way you learn to climb mountains is by climbing mountains, and I’m incredibly proud of how the lads have worked and responded to everything we’ve thrown at them over the past 11 weeks.
Last Friday night, at Blackheath, the scoreline was humbling but the lessons we took from that match were priceless in shaping our preparation. This week’s training has been focused on a few key areas that we know will be vital when we travel to Barnes on Saturday..
Barnes have been one of the most consistent sides in recent years, finishing in the top three for the past three seasons. When we faced them back in March it was the definition of a game of two halves. We started with one of our poorest 40 minutes of rugby but came out after the break and delivered a second-half performance that very few teams have ever managed on their pitch.
Saturday gives us the challenge we need. It’s a chance to test ourselves, to measure our progress and to find out if we’ve learnt the lessons from preseason.
Meanwhile, the Pilgrims kick off their first fixture in Regional 2 South East as we welcome Battersea Ironsides to the Marine Travel Ground. It’s crucial we get off to a strong start and Battersea — who finished 5th last season — will provide the toughest opposition the Pilgrims have faced since before COVID.
It’s also a special day for Mal Graves and Nathan Morris who take charge of their first league game. It promises to be an exciting afternoon of rugby, both home and away.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH