Author: David Haigh

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY TEST

It’s always strange when after a five point win you are left feeling unsatisfied, but our performance against Havant gave us many questions to answer. Our discipline was an area that put a great deal of pressure on us, four cards with one being a red. This is a situation we can’t afford to put ourselves in again. Havant kept knocking on the door until the final whistle and had chances to change the scoreline. That said, there were some great defensive sets in the last ten minute that ultimately proved the difference. After playing with 14 for large parts of the game, and even 13 on two occasions, we can celebrate the tries we scored and the resilience the players showed to do what was necessary.
This weekend’s fixture is always a big one in the calendar as Westcombe Park are the visitors to the Marine Travel ground. They sit one point ahead of us in the table after having a strong start to the season themselves, with their only loss also coming away at Guernsey. This fixture is always highly competitive and I’m expecting tomorrow to be another one to remember. This week we have been focusing on getting back to our best, after falling a long way short of it last Saturday.
After two weeks without a game the Pilgrims return to action tomorrow against Park House away. We are sending up another strong team full of experience and ability as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the season. The standard of the team improves every week and this week at training has been one of our most competitive so far.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Expect A Battle

Posted on | by David Haigh

Away at Guernsey has historically always been a tough fixture and after taking the lead early we put ourselves in a great position. Conceding twice in quick succession put us on the back foot but we scored a well worked try to go in at half time trailing by four points and very much in the game. Within the first fifteen minutes of the second half we had conceded three tries and given ourselves a mountain to climb. The silver lining is that we fought back to within two scores and created enough chances to retake the lead, but our execution at crucial times undermined us.

After some honest conversations this week, we reviewed that we didn’t get to the right level physically for us to earn the win we so badly wanted. Coming away empty handed has dropped us to 6th in the table and for us to keep pace with the top of the league the next three games are very important.

We welcome Havant to the Marine travel ground this weekend, who are new to the league but sit only a few places behind us after four games. They will have learned a lot in the first four rounds and I’m expecting Saturday to be a battle.

The Pilgrims go into their second week without a game, last week’s cancellation and this week’s planned rest weekend means they have had a fortnight off. They are training hard as they prepare for Park House next weekend.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Garry’s Hat Trick Not Enough

Posted on | by David Haigh

GUERNSEY RAIDERS 41 CANTERBURY 23

by Chris Fullbrook

With both sides unbeaten so far this season, Canterbury knew they were facing a stern test as they travelled to Guernsey for round 4 of their National 2 East campaign. It proved to be a trip beyond them as they failed to make the most of their chances, despite a hat trick of tries from wing Garry Jones.

The city side started the stronger of the two, going 8-0 up after five minutes through Jones’ first try and a Frank Reynolds penalty goal. The visitors should have gone further ahead but squandered opportunities when camped on the Guernsey try line as the home side stood resolute.

A penalty kick from Ciaran McGann, after a Canterbury indiscretion, was followed by a quick break and slick hands from the Guernsey back line allowing McGann to ghost through the defence to score and convert his own try. From here on the hosts didn’t let go of their lead. Jones did close the gap, scoring his and his team’s second try leaving the half-time score at 17-13 with Reynolds normally trusty boot unable to add the extras.

As in this season’s previous games, Canterbury became responsible for their own demise as the penalty count increased giving Guernsey the platform to put the game to bed. Three unanswered tries, two scored by back row Welch from catch and drive mauls and one from winger Smith and a McGann conversion took the Raiders lead out to 34-13.

Canterbury, however, did not roll over and enjoyed a purple patch in the third quarter of the game and pressure from their pack gave the opportunity for Frank Morgan to put Jones in at the corner for his hat-trick. Reynolds conversion from out wide and a further penalty gave the visiting side a glimmer of hope, but when a scoring chance was missed at a lineout two metres from the Guernsey line not only the win but also the prospect of valuable bonus points went begging.

To add insult to injury Guernsey had the last say of the match with a try from full-back Roberts, converted by McGann, to earn his side a-deserved victory.

With this loss Canterbury relinquished their position at the top of National 2 East and need to bounce back next week when they entertain one of the league’s newcomers Havant to the Marine Travel Ground.
Canterbury: H.Young, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, K.Heatherley, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, A.Cooper, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine. J.Stephens. S.Rogers, H.Furneaux, T.Oliver . Replacements, N.Morris, E.Lusher, P.Farrance, C.Thomas, M.Campbell.

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v Guernsey - 28 Sept 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Toughest Challenge

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PROSPECTS

Nine from nine! It has been a great start to the season across the 1st XV, Pilgrims & Canons and all still remain unbeaten three games in. This weekend the first team travel to Guernsey for our toughest challenge of the season so far. The journey does add an extra logistical dimension and Guernsey are also three out of three. It is an exciting battle so early on the season and if we look back to this fixture last season we were proud of the performance we put in, coming away with a win for the first time in recent history. Guernsey are in a much stronger place this season and we will need to raise our performance another level to experience the same success.
Against Worthing we took a noticeable step forward. We set our focus on improving our execution and we did that, reducing our penalty and turnover count. There is still more to do in these areas and going into a tougher contest on Saturday we will need to minimise the opportunities we give Guernsey. This game has come at a good time for us and I can’t wait to see the players rise to the challenge.

For those of you who saw the Pilgrims Friday night game against Ashford, you were treated to a close first half with only three points the difference before the Pilgrims found their stride finishing up 38-7 winners. Unfortunately, this week’s fixture against Charlton Park has been cancelled due to them being unable to raise a team. Charlton Park are a proud club with a long history running back to 1893 and it is a stark reminder of how many clubs are fighting against decreasing playing numbers. As a rugby community we need to keep working hard to find new ways to support each other for the good of the game.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Three From Three

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 49 WORTHING 21

by David Haigh

Three wins from three make this Canterbury’s best start for several seasons and this time their control produced seven tries against a Worthing team still looking for a first National 2 East victory. The city side made a statement of intent as early as the third minute with a try under the posts from Harvey Furneaux after Number Eight Tyler Oliver, playing his 100th game for the club, made the initial dent in the defence. Frank Reynolds, faultless from the tee all afternoon, converted and although a couple of penalty goals by Charlie Spencer kept the visitors in touch, by half time Canterbury had stretched away with another three tries and secured a bonus point. An obstruction, a penalty and a catch and drive joined and finished by wing Garry Jones, brought the second touchdown and when Worthing’s Kieran Tomlinson was yellow carded they paid the price. The extra space was quickly exploited with a try for centre Will Waddington and although Spencer had landed his third penalty goal Canterbury had something spectacular up their sleeves. A minute before the break scrum half Tom Williams found space and pace near his own 22 area and arced round the defence for the outstanding score of the day which pushed the lead to 28-9. Faced with an uphlll task Worthing produced their own bit of magic four minutes into the second half. Canterbury were in full attack mode when they spilled ball in the shadow of the posts and Worthing skipper Jack Forrest made a punishing break before Spencer scored at the other end and converted his try. Soon, however, the city side were building further pressure and this time they made no mistake as Williams went blind from a maul and sent Jones over for his second try. A yellow card for Furneaux handed Worthing the chance of a catch and drive score for Jimmy Staples but Canterbury’s control of possession gave them the taste for more as Waddington collected a Reynolds chip and opened the way for wing Max Campbell to sprint clear for his first league try. Flanker Chad Thomas powered across the line from close range for the final touchdown and table topping Canterbury now face their sternest challenge when they fly to Guernsey on Saturday to meet another unbeaten side.

Canterbury: H.Young, G.Jones, A.Moss, W.Waddington, K.Heatherley, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, O.Frostick, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, S.,Rogers, H.Furneaux, T.Olive. Replacements, A.Cooper, N.Morris, F.Morgan, C.Thomas, M.Campbell

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v Worthing - 21 Sept 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Work Still To Do

Posted on | by David Haigh

WEEKEND PROSPECTS

Two from two and six from six across the 1st XV, Pilgrims and Canons, not a bad start!

A result away at Sevenoaks is one that we have been hunting down for the past three seasons. Five points on the road, at a ground we haven’t won at in recent years is something that we are most definitely proud of, but on review we know there is still a lot to work on. We clocked up 16 penalties and 21 turnovers, a combined loss of possession that is double our target. Our lineout maul dominance and some emotional defence sets ultimately proved the difference, but we must be more effective with the ball if we want to play the brand of rugby that we are aiming for and show the improvements we believe we are making. This weekend against Worthing we will be focused on taking a big step forward in our attacking execution.

The Pilgrims ran out 43-17 winners against Sevenoaks 2nd XV in a convincing performance. They look to continue this strong form against Ashford tonight (Friday) 7.30pm kick off. The Pilgrims squad is full of players pushing for 1st XV places and this is driving the group forward every session we have together. The Pilgrims Friday night lights were unmissable evenings last season, and I fully expect the same from this one.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Owain Collins

Pilgrims Make It Derby Double

Posted on | by David Haigh

PILGRIMS 43 SEVENOAKS 2nd 17

by Dan Gill

Following last week’s victory at Crowborough, the Pilgrims opened their account at the MTG with a convincing victory over Sevenoaks in what has been a close affair in recent meetings.

Canterbury started brightly and set the tone for the day when they fielded the first kick off and began to drive Oaks back, using the forwards to good effect before looking to find width. After making their way deep into the Oaks 22, a penalty was conceded for not effectively clearing a ruck which was to become a common theme throughout the first half. It wasn’t long, however, before the Pilgrims endeavour was rewarded with the opening try. Outstanding defence from Henry Kenny and Yannick de Moubray forced the turnover and half backs Valladares and McMann sent waves of runners at the Oaks line before centre Sonny Trew-Neville battered his way over near the posts and Tom McMann converted.
The visitors responded immediately as the Pilgrims infringed at the ruck and their fly half stepped up to slot the first of his four penalty goals. His second duly followed after a high tackle was punished making the score closer than the balance of play suggested at 7-6.

Pilgrims picked up the pace and added a second try after good forward play led to Will Hunt forcing his way over from close range for a converted score. The Canterbury defence was proving difficult for Oaks to penetrate, but they kept in touch with two further penalty goals from their adept fly half who had shown himself able to punish any infringements in the Pilgrims own half. A positive response then produced some outstanding rugby. Fly half McMann made a half break and kept the ball alive with an offload that found its way to openside Jake Dengate who stepped off his right foot to burst through a gap. His deft chip was perfectly weighted and full back Jack Cohen didn’t have to break stride as he raced away to score by the posts, making the conversion a formality.

That was quickly followed by an outstanding individual try by young back Owain Collins who fielded a long kick deep in his own half before setting off on a jinking run that saw him beat numerous defenders and dotting down out wide. A great way to mark his first Pilgrims try on his competitive home debut. McMann’s conversion attempt from out wide came back off the post to bring the half to a close at 26-12.

Pilgrims were first on the score sheet after the interval with a first phase try that will put smiles on the coaches faces. The forwards won clean possession from a lineout and the ball was moved smartly to Sonny Trew-Neville who cut through the Oaks back line and his pass sent the supporting Adrian Geddes racing away to score.

Props Aaron Cooper and Elliott Lusher came to the fore with some strong runs forcing the visiting defence on to the back foot and supporters Man of the Match Collins then turned provider as his run and pass set up Cohen to add his second touchdown and take Pilgrims lead to 38-12.

To their credit Sevenoaks rallied and produced some good rugby to force a penalty which they kicked for the corner and scored from a well worked driving maul.
Not to be outdone, Pilgrims set up a driving maul of their own shortly after and captain Alex Evans dotted down for the seventh try of the day to complete a good team performance.

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Images may be subject to copyright – Ken Matcham

TOP OF THE TABLE

Posted on | by David Haigh

SEVENOAKS 14 CANTERBURY 27

by David Haigh

Canterbury lead the early National 2 East table with maximum points after a Kent derby victory which was set up in a dominant first half. At the break the city side were nineteen points clear and well in control but then had to dig in as Sevenoaks dominated possession and won the second half try count by two to one. That said, the result never looked seriously in doubt as Canterbury’s defence passed most of the tests and a breakout ten minutes from the end brought a bonus point try which sealed the result. They seized the initiative early in the game and scrum half Presley Farrance rewarded his forwards pressure by sniping over for the opening try after only twelve minutes. With ‘Oaks on the back foot the situation was ripe for exploitation but Canterbury’s biggest obstacle was their own lack of focus. Too often they lost the ball in contact and an over-anxious back line lacked fluency. A yellow card for home skipper Scott Sedgwick on the half hour, however, opened the way for a second try as wing Garry Jones joined a powerful rolling maul to make the touchdown. It wasn’t until the final minute of the half that another score came and again it was the pack that did the spadework before Chad Thomas plunged over for his first try for the club. Reynolds slotted a second conversion but there was a feeling that the team had left points out there. That became plainer as Sevenoaks began to get a strong foothold in the game but were never clinical enough to make best use of their possession. One the few clean line breaks of the afternoon was then made by city captain Jamie Stephens but the try went begging for want of a final pass and Canterbury had to settle for a Reynolds penalty goal. After that it was mostly a matter of containment. Sedgwick registered the home side’s first try, converted by George Montgomery, after 60 minutes, but even though Kurt Heatherley was sin binned Canterbury found a positive reply and an overhead pass saw Sam Rogers canter over unopposed. The closing minutes belonged to Oaks but their only success was Sedgwick’s second converted try, from a driving maul, when the game was beyond their reach.

Canterbury: H.Young, M.Campbell, A.Moss, F.Morgan, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, C.Macmillan, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, H.Furneaux, T.Oliver. Replacements: O.Frostick, S.Rogers, N.Morris, K.Heatherley, T.Williams,

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v Sevenoaks - 14 Sept 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

BEST NEEDED AT SEVENOAKS

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PROSPECTS

Last season we didn’t get off to the start we wanted with an opening-day loss against this week’s opposition, so starting strongly has been a key focus during preseason. Scoring 50 points at home, even considering it was Colchester’s first game in National 2, is a result we can be proud of. There were some fantastic team efforts and standout individual tries that built the score. That said, we’re not getting ahead of ourselves — there is plenty to work on and we know we must improve week by week to build a winning habit.

Sevenoaks away has been a tough fixture for us in recent seasons, as local derbies often are. Over the last two years our performances in this match have been below our own expectations and we have come up short on both occasions. This year, we’re determined to change that and we know we need to be at our best. Saturday will be a great measure of how far we have come.

The Pilgrims also put last season behind them, contributing to a clean sweep for the Men’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd XV. Crowborough have been tough to beat at home over the past two seasons so leaving with a win is a brilliant result for the Pilgrims to build on. The Cannons kicked off their Counties 4 Kent campaign in style with a commanding 60-12 win over Medway’s 3rd XV, no mean feat as the league’s new boys.

The Pilgrims are the other half of this week’s double-header against Sevenoaks and will be looking to keep up their momentum at home on Saturday.

Matt Corker. Head Coach

Pilgrims Take Revenge

Posted on | by David Haigh

Crowborough 15 Canterbury Pilgrims 21

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims opened their Counties 1 Kent title defence with a tough fixture at Steel cross where they lost their 17-game winning run towards the end of last season against a Crowborough side who have been unbeaten at home for over a year. This time they took revenge
The opening minutes were even until Crowborough capitalised on a clear knock on missed by the official to score under the posts making the conversion a formality, giving the home side a 7-0 lead.
The Pilgrims drew level quickly after a well worked line out on the Crow’s 22 saw openside flanker Jake Dengate pick a good line, make a strong run and crash over for the try which fly half Tom McMann converted.
Crowborough were trying to apply pressure but were met with a defensive wall that was proving difficult to break down, with tackles flying in from forwards and backs alike. The home side were the next to score, however, but only after Canterbury were reduced to 14 after hard hitting back row forward Henry Kenny was adjudged to have infringed at the breakdown and received a yellow card. Sonny Trew-Neville had to step into the scrum from the wing and Crowborough utilised good handling skills to exploit the space he had left and score in the corner to make it 12-7 at half time.
After the restart and having returned to a full complement, Pilgrims looked to reassert themselves and came close to scoring after a strong run from full back Jack Cohen, but simple handling errors and mistakes were making the side masters of their own downfall. Crowborough punished some poor breakdown work with a penalty goal before the Pilgrims came back strongly. Captain Alex Evans lead from the front all day with some thunderous tackling and direct running and it was he who had the ball over the line out wide after good work from forwards and backs. He broke from a maul and dived over but the referee saw a cynical infringement in the process and awarded a penalty try.
The home side came close to scoring shortly afterwards, but some dogged defence on their own goal line saw Pilgrims scrum half Hector Valladares latching onto the ball and forcing the penalty after stopping numerous drives.
Pilgrims then had their best spell of the game and an organised driving maul gave the backs a platform and they moved the ball from one side of the pitch to the other to send wing Adrian Geddes over in the corner. Jack Cohen stepped up to slot the touchline conversion to give his side the lead for the first time with eight minutes remaining.
A boisterous home crowd did their best to spur Crow’s into a response, but Pilgrims defence continued to drive them back and only a last ditch tackle on prop James Everatt stopped a further Canterbury score. The Pilgrims showed great determination to avenge last season’s big loss and end Crowborough’s fine home record.