Author: David Haigh

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.

Brighton vs CRFC

BUILDING IN BRIGHTON

Posted on | by David Haigh

It’s a seaside trip for the senior squad this weekend as they continue the pre-season build-up with a game against Brighton on Saturday (August 20th). It’s a 2.30 pm kick-off. If you fancy driving down to Sussex by the Sea the ground address is Waterhall Road, Brighton BN1 8YR.

The final pre-season friendly is at home to Westcombe Park on Friday evening, August 26th. Kick-off will be 7.30/8 pm and all bars and restaurant facilities will be open. Admission to the game is free.

CRFC vs BSRFC

Canterbury 21 Bishop’s Stortford 38

Posted on | by David Haigh

Pace and accuracy shifted this game decisively Bishop’s Stortford’s way as they dominated the second and third quarters. Just one score in front after the opening 20 minutes the Division One side ran in another five tries to remind Canterbury of their status. When the chances were created through sure handling and quick thinking they put them away and while the home side’s competitive instincts never deserted them their lack of accuracy and basic errors hobbled their ambition. That said, Canterbury did hit back strongly in the final quarter of a match played in 20 minute blocks and frequent changes to accommodate expanded squads. Stortford had to defend solidly in the early stages before their backs served notice by creating an overlap try for Charlie Parkhouse converted by Dan Cole, The lead didn’t last long as Will Waddington latched on to a shrewd kick from fly half Frank Reynolds for a Canterbury touchdown which Reynolds converted. Scrum half Connor Lloyd sniped over to recapture the advantage for Stortford but in the next 40 minutes they took command. Tries from Jake Morris, Parkhouse, Charlie Garwood and Luke Bury, plus three Cole conversions, put them well clear, The final session, however, saw Canterbury roar back into the game thanks to a pack which dominated the set scrums. Their work rewarded with a pick up and strong finish from Number Eight Harry Andrews. Tom Best converted and on a pitch that was in top class condition in this hot, dry summer they ended on high note when Best’s break set up a converted score for fellow centre Frankie Morgan.

Mick Banks

Dr Michael ‘Mick’ Banks

Posted on | by David Haigh

It is with great regret that the club has learned of the death in the USA of Doctor Michael ‘Mick’ Banks, a former first team full back who continued to be a huge supporter and friend of Canterbury Rugby from his home in America. Mick, who was 70, followed the fortunes of the team through our match reports and was regularly in touch with us as a committed supporter. On his visits to England to see family members he always made the club one of his important points of call. He played for the first team in the 1980s after moving from the Sheppey club and then taking up an appointment with the Pfizer company in Sandwich. He was always modest about his rugby talents which he underplayed in his gently, humorous way. He had no need to be. Mick was a Northumbrian who came to Kent to establish a distinguished professional career in the pharmaceutical industry which culminated in him becoming a Vice president in Pfizer’s American operations. After his retirement from the company in 2011 he set up a successful consultancy. Mick lived in New York State for many years but shortly before his death had moved to a new home in Florida. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mick’s wife Janet and children Michael, Paul and Katie. There are plans for a celebration of Mick’s life here in Kent at a later date.

Pre-season training

FRIDAY NIGHT RUGBY

Posted on | by David Haigh

The senior squad is back in action on Friday this week, August 12th, with the first pre-season fixture against Bishop’s Stortford. Kick-off is 7.30/8pm and the bars and Saucy Flo’s restaurant will be open. Newcomers Nathan Morris, Cameron Murray and Dave Irvine are all expected to be involved against the National Division One side. It is the first of two Friday night fixtures before the season proper opens in September. Kent rivals Westcombe Park visit The Marine Travel Ground on August 26th when the Pilgrims will also be in action against Dartfordians.

Ambulance for Ukraine

Ambulances For Ukraine Send-off

Posted on | by David Haigh

More help for the Ukraine, organised by Marine Travel Company boss Dave Thompson, is set to leave from the club on Tuesday next August 9th. Two trips with vital supplies for people in the war torn country have already been made with donations from Club members and supporters as well as from the East Kent community and England football fans. The latest project was to raise funds for the purchase three reconditioned ambulances and drive them to the Polish border for delivery to the Ukraine. The vehicles, together with medical supplies, will leave the club on Tuesday evening, August 9th between 6pm and 8pm. Come and join the send-off party prior to the club AGM.
The ambulances have been acquired with great help from Marine Travel, Dynamix, Canterbury Rugby Club, Focus, Canterbury Mariners Walking Football Club, 7r Group and The Red Lion Cribbage and Pot Boys Guild, Further funding has been promised which will be used this to get the vehicles to Poland, feed the drivers and find them somewhere to sleep en-route. To celebrate the Ambulances departure for Poland there will be a small departure party with the chance to mingle and chat to those that have made this project possible and of course to our drivers. We hope to invite some of our local Ukrainian community to join the party and also Anatoly Yurkov who has been given special permission to leave Ukraine to fly to the UK and drive one of the Ambulances back to Poland and into Ukraine. Anatoly has been instrumental in organising transport in the early days of the invasion, to get people out Kyiv and Odessa and to relative safety, helping many across the Polish border and then taking aid from Poland to Ukraine. It is highly dangerous work and his team have suffered losses whilst delivering aid within Ukraine, but nevertheless continue their work.

Further donations will be welcome and can be made at:
www.gofundme.com/xgcgzp-ambulances-for-ukraine

Dave Darroch

David Darroch

Posted on | by David Haigh

Older club members will remember with affection David Darroch who has died aged 72. Dave was an all round sportsman who played second row in the club first team and was a seam bowler with St Lawrence and Highland Court cricket club. Educated at Kings School, Dave’s business career kept him in the London area for several years where he worked at the Baltic Exchange. In retirement he returned to the Canterbury area and continued his long standing support for both rugby and cricket clubs. Our sympathies go to his family and to his partner Lauren. Dave’s funeral will be at Barham Crematorium on Tuesday, July 26th at 4.40pm. His family invite you to join them in raising a toast to Dave at St Lawrence and Highland Court Cricket club after the service. If you are planning to attend the cricket club gathering please e-mail Mike Green who needs to know the numbers. michael.green49@btinternet.com

Awards For Outstanding Volunteers

Posted on | by David Haigh

The outstanding work of the club’s volunteers was recognised at the Kent County Awards ceremony on June 10th with Canterbury honoured with four winners. Honda Volunteer of the Year awards went to long serving First Team Manager Andy Rogers-Unsung Hero; Liz Larkins and Sally Taylor, the Game For All prize, for their work in organising and promoting girls rugby, and the Beyond Rugby: Connecting the Community Award went posthumously to our late secretary Alison Williams who was deeply involved in all aspects of the club for 35 years. Her son Ben and his wife received the award. Club chairman Giles Hilton was named runner-up in the Kent County Volunteer of the Year category.