Author: David Haigh

TEST FROM THE BEST

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW
One of the things I love about this game is that the scoreboard is not controlled by how much you can create but how much you can finish. When we played Guernsey at home in January we were the team with 30% possession and half as many entries into the attacking 22 metre area but walked away winners. Nearly all our opportunities resulted in points and this clinical edge paved the way to the win. On Saturday we were on the other side of the fence. We dominated possession and territory but came up short on the scoreboard. One area of our game that has moved on this season is our ability to convert pressure and opportunities into points. Our performance at the weekend has driven us to refocus on the founding elements of this improvement in what has been a good week of training.
We have all said that, after three long weeks on the road, it feels extremely good to be back at home on Saturday. With high-flying Tonbridge Juddians visiting the Marine Travel Ground we have an ideal opportunity to test ourselves against the best in the league.
The Pilgrims are also back in action when they travel to Beccehamians who sit in sixth and have a strong home record. We know there is very little room to manoeuvre at the top of Counties 1 and the Pilgrims are very aware of the challenge they face.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Winning Run Ends

Posted on | by David Haigh

WESTCOMBE PARK 22 CANTERBURY 18

by David Haigh

A six match winning streak came to a sticky and disappointing end in the Westcombe Park mud in a game where Canterbury enjoyed the bulk of the territory but could not find enough ways to outwit a solid defence. This clash of two in-form Kent sides was always going to be a tight affair but it was ‘Combe’s ability to absorb pressure and make the most of their chances that gave them the edge. They were helped by a poor start from Canterbury who conceded eight points in the first five minutes, through a long range penalty goal from Nathan Wyman and Cal Devine’s try. It was made by Combe skipper Nick Cooke who burst through some poor tackling before giving the flanker a clear run. Those early set backs jolted the city side into life and, aided by Combe indiscipline, they dominated much of the rest of the half. With a heavy penalty count in their favour they won plenty of field position but the match was into its second quarter before any points came via a catch and drive try by Sam Rogers. They missed out on a second try, the last pass going forward, but a Frank Reynolds penalty goal brought Canterbury level. Combe’s effective work at the breakdown in slowing down possession kept the city side at bay and two minutes before the break they conceded a second try. A penalty won the home side position and when the ball was worked into midfield more suspect defence allowed Cook to rumble over. Wyman converted to open a 15-8 lead. Combe built on that advantage in the 55th minute with try from centre Matt Harrison after a forward charge opened a gap. Wyman landed his second conversion and as the conditions condemned the game to a foot slog that fourteen point lead proved crucial. Canterbury fought back to dictate territory and probed, often promisingly, through the back division but never quite made a breakthrough. A yellow card for Ben Charnock left the home side short handed and the city side did make that count, building the phases for a Jamie Stephens try which Reynolds converted. The score came in the 63rd minute but despite continuing pressure the home defence stood firm and a late penalty goal from Reynolds, together with a losing bonus point, was the most Canterbury could salvage.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.McGovern, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: C.Macmillan, A.Moss, O.Frostick, J.DeVries, H.Young

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v Westcombe Park - 8 Feb 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

One For The Diary

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW
This block was always going to be a challenge. With three consecutive away games we were never going to have it all our own way and Worthing are a team far better than their league position would have you believe. Our intensity in the first half was well below what we had shown the week before against Havant and although we went in at half-time 10-14 ahead we had an honest review of our performance to that point. Two tries in the second half through good pressure in Worthing’s 22 metre area put us in a strong position, but an interception from their own five metre line, and a late penalty, meant that we needed to put in a strong defensive shift to close the game out. Being able to rely on our defence, when we need it most, has been a big shift this season and the effort and collisions in those closing stages ultimately earned us five points on the road.
Tomorrow, we travel to Westcombe Park, who sit immediately below us in the table. This local derby is always one for the diary and with both teams going into the game on the back of six-match winning streaks there is everything to play for.

The Pilgrims came through their crunch clash with Bromley, winning and taking the five points they needed. At 43-37 it was a high-scoring affair but winning such an important game was crucial and it keeps them at the top of the table going into the final run-in. Their fixture schedule is somewhat stop-start from this point. Including this Saturday, there are four weekends without a game for the Pilgrims between now and the end of the season. With only five games to play, maintaining form and momentum will be critical to them keeping hold of the top spot.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Epic Win For Pilgrims

Posted on | by David Haigh

Pilgrims 43 Bromley 37

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims took to the field knowing this was likely to be a season defining game against a very good Bromley side who had narrowly defeated them earlier in the league campaign. They elected to play up the slope in the first half which Bromley were quick to capitalise on, slotting a penalty goal for a scrum offence before adding the first try of the afternoon. They moved the ball wide to carve open the usually solid Pilgrims defence and score a well converted touchdown for a ten point lead, Pilgrims response was immediate and good interlinking play between backs and forwards created space for full back Guy Hilton to score out wide which was well converted by Owain Collins. Bromley were proving dangerous with ball in hand and another strong passage of play led to an unconverted score before the Pilgrims again pegged back the visitors. Jesse de Vries broke from a five metre scrum to force his way over for a converted score and bring the city side within a point. The final few minutes of the half were all Bromley as they moved the ball well to cut through the home defence and add a third try. More trouble followed thanks to a lapse in concentration by the Pilgrims. As they cleared to touch Bromley reacted by taking a quick throw in which saw them under the posts for a bonus point try and a 29-14 half time lead, This Pilgrims team, however, has demonstrated remarkable resilience on numerous occasions over the last three seasons and their second half display was another fine example. They came out firing and quickly added a penalty goal and a second try by Hilton before Owain Collins was singled out by the referee for ten minutes in the sin bin. But Pilgrims were now playing the slope well and coupled with set piece dominance were keeping Bromley penned in. Even though a man down, some impressive play saw Harry Chubb burst through to score and convert to give his side the lead for the first time. Harvey Furneaux then forced his way over to make it 38-29. Bromley came back with a try of their own, utilising a front of the lineout move to bring the game back to a four point margin before Pilgrims winger Sonny Trew-Neville added a sixth and decisive try. The closing minutes saw Bromley muster a strong response but the Pilgrims defence remained resolute and conceded only a penalty goal in the last play. That secured the visitors a second bonus point in what was a fantastically contested fixture. The bonus point victory keeps Pilgrims Top of Counties 1 with five games to play.

Canterbury: Frostick, Demery, MacMillan, Hunt, De Moubray, Geddes, Furneaux, De Vries, Valladares, Collins, Lister, Morgan, Chubb, Trew-Neville, G Hilton, Lusher, Divine, Fielder

HARD WORK AT WORTHING

Posted on | by David Haigh

WORTHING 25 CANTERBURY 29

by Chris Fullbrook

Canterbury extended their winning streak to six games but were made to work hard for it by National 2 East’s bottom club. It was the home side that struck first with hooker Harrison Dakin on the back of a five-metre lineout catch and drive but Charlie Spencer was unable to add the extras. A missed penalty by Canterbury’s Frank Reynolds was followed closely by the loss of Chad Thomas to a shoulder injury. Having re-grouped, the city side then scored twice within ten minutes, the first from in-form full back Kurt Heatherley, capitalising on a spilt cross field kick from Tom Best. The versatile Tom Williams, scrum half by trade but playing on the wing, got the second, cutting inside his opposite number and showing the defence a clean pair of heels to score under the posts. Reynolds added the extras to both tries. Worthing rallied and having had the lion’s share of the first half possession, fielded a missed touch kick before drawing in the Canterbury defence to send winger Spencer across in the opposite corner, but he was unable to convert to his own score. Only four points ahead at the start of the second half, Canterbury lost centre Tom Best to the sin bin for a team yellow card, having been on a warning from Referee Max Marshall from the previous half. However, it was the city side who scored whilst down to fourteen men after strong attacking from their forwards and quick hands out wide paved the way for the league’s top try scorer, Garry Jones, to add to his tally. Reynolds failed with the conversion but was on target with a penalty minutes later to stretch the visitors lead to twelve points. Canterbury now looked to be dominating the game but an interception and 80 metre run to the posts from Worthing skipper ack Forrest, plus Tom Derrick’s conversion, allowed the home side to get their heads up. When centre Derrick grabbed another try four minutes later Worthing were eyeing only their second victory of the season. The decisive score, however, went to Canterbury who were awarded a penalty try when home Number Eight Frank Taggart pulled down a close range maul, having entered from the side. Worthing ended the stronger of the two sides but were only able to add a further three points, a penalty goal from the boot of Derrick, to gain a much deserved second bonus point.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, W.Waddington, T.Best, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.Cooper, T.Mackenzie, D.Irvine, H.Young, M.Campbell,

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v Worthing - 1 Feb 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

ANOTHER ROAD TRIP

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW
Havant’s record over their previous five home games was something that we were very aware of going into last Saturday. Two wins and losing narrowly in the last five minutes to first, second, and seventh in the table highlights the challenge we were up against. The response by the players to that challenge is something that I am extremely proud of. Our ruthlessness in attack led to some fantastic tries and a total that hasn’t been scored against Havant on their home ground for over a decade. One other aspect that shows the positive growth in the group was during a period of sustained pressure from Havant, just after they had scored. The defensive effort to wrestle back control and territory turned the tide back in our favour and allowed us to finish strongly. Another good Saturday.

This weekend sees us travel the familiar path to Worthing after the cancellation of the game earlier in the month. Worthing have had a difficult start to 2025, playing Tonbridge Juddians followed by Dorking. We know that our second game on the road will be another tough fixture as we look to continue our run of good performances.
Fresh from their week off the Pilgrims host Bromley at the Marine Travel Ground. This is an important fixture as first plays second in an increasingly tight title race. We have a strong team out and they are raring to go. This will be one not to miss.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

BEST OF THE SEASON

Posted on | by David Haigh

HAVANT 5 CANTERBURY 61

by David Haigh

The bare statistics of this Canterbury performance read as follows: nine tries scored, a winning run now standing at five games and the season’s biggest victory which closed the gap on third placed Dorking in the National 2 East league table to just two points. Equally impressive was the combination of efficiency and panache they displayed in achieving this win. The city side arrived with a reshuffled squad plagued by injury and illness but their flexibility and depth of talent banished any doubts as they produced a stunning display of attacking rugby. They were thirty points in front by half time, with a try bonus secured, and after a cautious start proved deadly with the ball in hand. An early Frank Reynolds penalty goal was the only score until the nineteenth minute when the fly half’s pin point cross kick was plucked out of the air by Kurt Heatherley for the opening try. The work in the loose of an aggressive pack now began to pay dividends, with back row trio of Chad Thomas, Sam Rogers and Tyler Oliver in prime form. Havant, vulnerable in defence and eclipsed at the line outs, had no answers as Canterbury used their domination of possession to maximum effect. Adventurous handling created a wonderful second try which started behind their own line, went the length of the field and Garry Jones finished off. A catch and drive from the pack was next with Eoin O’Donoghue touching down and the bonus point score went to Rogers who was on the end of more swift off loading. A second penalty goal and conversion from Reynolds completed the first half set and it took just two minutes of the new half for Havant to crack again, Jones’ powerful hand off making space for Oliver’s try. Havant rallied over the next twenty minutes as Canterbury’s ball retention went missing but they found the city defence a real stumbling block. The hosts came away with just a catch and drive try from Cam Boa but in the final quarter Canterbury overpowered them with four more tries, three of them converted. As the frequent line breaks came and Havant wilted there was one for Tom Best, back on first team duty, quickly followed by Tom Williams and Harvey Furneaux and another for that serial poacher O’Donoghue who rounded off Canterbury’s memorable afternoon with a score from a quick tap penalty in the final minute.
Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, W.Waddington, T.Best, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E. Donoghue, D.Herriott, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.Cooper, H.Furneaux, M.Campbell, O Frostick, D.Irvine

After the game Head Coach Matt Corker said:
“I am very happy with how clinical we were in attack. There were obviously a good number of tries but I don’t feel like we wasted many opportunities, which is pleasing. There was also a very important period early in the second half, after we had conceded, where our hard work in defence kept a physical Havant “team from adding to their tally. The way we wrestled back control from this pressure shows the progress we are making.” 

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v Havant - 25 Jan 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

CHALLENGING ROAD TRIPS

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW
We wanted to start our year on the right note and last Saturday’s performance was just what we were aiming for. Built on one of the best defensive displays of the season so far, we came out on top in a battle of 4th in the league versus fifth. Our second half try line defence and the way the forwards dealt with the Guernsey maul ultimately made the difference on the scoreboard. As a group, we have spoken about “what’s behind your try line”, what is the personal reason that the players put their bodies on the line for the team to succeed. They showed how strongly they believe in these reasons on Saturday. Although there was some rust, we also had some great moments with the ball in hand and earned another nomination for try of the week. This time not scored by Tom Williams, but he did give the final pass!
We now roll into three weeks on the road, something that I cannot remember doing as a player or coach. I have encouraged the players to adapt their mindset to this challenge. One, if we conquer it will set us up for the business end of the season. Havant have had some good wins and some very near misses in their last five home games and we are expecting a tough fixture, much like the game at the Marine Travel ground.
The Pilgrims enjoy a weekend off following their strong win against Deal and Betteshanger. They stormed to a 40-3 lead by half time, finishing at 54-14. Bromley travel to Merton Lane next week for a game that has been on the horizon for a while. They sit in second place on the same number of losses with a game in hand. One of the Pilgrim’s two defeats this season came at the hands of Bromley and this result will play a big part in deciding who will be top of the league in April.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

PIILGRIMS SEAL THE DEAL

Posted on | by David Haigh

DEAL & BETTESHANGER 15 PILGRIMS 54

by Dan Gill

The Pilgrims made the short journey to local rivals Deal & Betteshanger in what the players were dubbing ‘Battle of the Bests’ with former Canterbury man Ollie lining up for Deal against brother Tom. The elder Best ended up with most of the bragging rights in this Counties Kent One victory.
Pilgrims have been slow starters at times but since the turn of the year they have raced out of the blocks and Saturday was no different. The forwards soon made inroads with their strong running and the backs looked slick with ball in hand. Only good Deal tackling prevented a couple of early attacks leading to scores.
The travelling supporters didn’t have to wait long however, as the forwards looked to rumble over from a maul which was stopped illegally. From the penalty Al Evans scored out wide which was well converted by Owain Collins. A second quickly followed when wing Max Campbell intercepted a pass and outpaced the defence to score and give the city side a 14-0 lead. Deal came back with an Ollie Best penalty goal.
At the 20 minute mark the Pilgrims used two interchanges with Dan Gill and Harry Sloan- making his Canterbury debut- entering the fray. The next score came via the scrum and it was Evans’ well timed pass, after picking up from the base, that put wing Gus Lister through a gap to dot down and Collins converted. A further three scores followed before half time as Pilgrims went up a gear. Fly half Collins was causing Deal all sorts of problems, taking the ball to the line well before putting his team mates into space. The next score came after his delayed pass sent Evans bursting through a gap then feeding Cam MacMillan who drove deep into the Deal 22. He offloaded to Man of the Match Yannick de Moubray who unselfishly put Lister over for his second try with Collins missing his only conversion of the day.
Collins then exploited a gap himself before scrum half Hector Valladares cantered under the posts and there was a sixth try shortly before the break. Flanker Jesse de Vries, making a welcome return from long term injury, stole possession at a lineout and strong running centres Best and Sonny Trew-Neville made inroads before sending flanker Tom McKenzie through a gap to give the Pilgrims a commanding 40-3 lead.
The second half was a much more even affair as Deal responded with direct running and committed tackling. They capitalised on a five metre scrum for a converted score before Pilgrims backs set up Campbell for his second touchdown. Silly penalties gave the hosts an attacking lineout and they did well to drive over for their second try. Lock Henry Kenny added the final score of the day, showing the defence a clean pair of heels to take the score past the fifty mark.
The Pilgrims have a week off before they return to action on Saturday, February 1st when they host Bromley at the MTG in what could be a season defining game.

Pilgrims: MacMillan, Rothery, Frostick, Kenny, De Moubray, De Vries, Mackenzie, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Campbell, Best, Trew-Neville, Lister, G Hilton, Gill, Hunt, Sloan.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR CANTERBURY

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 24 GUERNSEY RAIDERS 15

by David Haigh

If there were any doubts about Canterbury’s reaction to a weather delayed start to the New Year they were put to rest in this full on National 2 East battle. They twice came from behind before a brace of second half tries finally saw off the Raiders challenge and confirmed that the city side’s strong pre-Christmas form was no flash in the pan. The victory was a statement of the progress made since they fell to their heavies defeat of the season at Guernsey back in September. In that game, wing Garry Jones’s hat trick of tries could not save them. Here he was again in great shape, with two touchdowns, but this success was as much about the tackle count as the try count. At critical stages it was Canterbury’s committed defenders who kept at bay a dangerous Raiders side which was dominating possession, then found the poise to close out the match. Frank Reynolds gave them an early lead with a penalty goal but as the initial pressure faded Guernsey took charge of the ball and a powerful driving maul brought a try for hooker James Burger. Charlie Simmonds missed the conversion but made amends with a 29th minute penalty shot. It was close to the end of the first half before Canterbury built another meaningful attack and it paid off handsomely when Reynolds slid a grubber kick behind the defence and Jones dived on it for the try. Reynolds excellent conversion took his side to a 10-8 half time lead but that vanished soon after the break when Guernsey produced an impressive score. Simmonds clean break was sustained by great support and off-loading before Sam Boyland touched down between the posts and the conversion was a formality. A yellow card for Tyler Oliver added to Canterbury’s problems as Raiders stayed on the front foot but it was the city side, still in calm and confident mood, who regained the lead. A Kurt Heatherley cross kick spurred an attack and this time it was the home side’s skillful off loading that put Harvey Furneaux over and Reynolds converted. The clincher came in the 65th minute as Canterbury worked the ball wide from a scrum, the smallest of gaps opened and Jones, having switched to centre, stretched over the line and Reynolds converted. Guernsey hurled themselves back into the mix in the closing stages but an unyielding and physical home defence got its reward.

CANTERBURY: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, A.Moss, W.Waddington, H.Young, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements A.Cooper, H.Furneaux, T.Williams, C.McGovern, N.Morris.

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v Guernsey - 18 Jan 2025

Images are subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton