Author: David Haigh

Getting The Job Done

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

I’ve shared a quote with the players previously, and I did again after the Henley game, from the great Bill Belichick. He was head coach of the New England Patriots during their six super bowls winning run. He says: “You get the job done or you don’t”. The first time I read this I didn’t feel that it applied to us; I felt it didn’t take into account all the other factors that can go against you in a game. I now understand that’s why it’s true. In any game you can be in control, in the lead for 79 minutes but to get the job done you have to be in that position for the full 80. To get the job done you have to take the opportunities that you create. The players away at Henley put in a great effort, they worked extremely hard in some of the worst conditions you can play in (I’m sure you’ve seen the photos) but we didn’t get the job done. There’s no shame in our performance but you could see how disappointed the lads were and that’s a not a bad thing.
We went into the week off with some clear objectives and the players have worked hard to make the two weeks of training as productive as possible. The conditions tomorrow are predicted to be a repeat of what we faced at Henley, so we have an opportunity to execute the same game plan, with the focus this week on going the distance.
Last time out, the Pilgrims had a mud fight of their own against Cranbrook. They came out well and truly on top with a 38-0 win. They have a big couple of weeks coming up starting with 4th place Heathfield and Waldron who visit the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday. This is followed by travelling to second place Sevenoaks next week and two wins will put them in a strong position.
Don’t let the weather put you off, with both the 1st XV and the Pilgrims at home for the first time since the start of the season it will be a big weekend at the club with plenty of important rugby on offer.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Harry Sloane

Major New Signing

Posted on | by David Haigh

CENTRE HARRY SLOAN JOINS SQUAD

The club has announced a significant addition to their senior squad with the signing of centre Harry Sloan from French ProD2 side Agen. During a top flight career he has played at international level, representing England Under20s, and appeared in the English Premiership with Harlequins and Saracens. The 30-year old 6ft 2in, 16 stones player is a Kent man, born in Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells, whose first club was Cranbrook before he joined the Harlequins Academy. Harry made 36 Premiership appearances for Quins, before a spell with Championship side Ealing Trailfinders and then signing for Saracens. He has spent two season in French rugby with Agen but has now decided to move into to the semi-professional game while he develops career opportunities outside rugby.
The club’s Director of Rugby, Taff Gwilliam, said: “The signing of Harry Sloan underlines the ambition of Canterbury to become a sustainable leading club in the Kent and South East area. We welcome Harry, who adds quality and experience to our developing senior squad. He is an intelligent and humble man who will fit in well with the rest of the squad. We are simply delighted he has chosen to join us and look forward to him taking to the field in Canterbury colours.

Harry Sloane

HENLEY BLOCK THE WAY

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

Last Saturday our first half performance was easily one of the best in recent years. Going in at 40-7 the players had shown the extent of their ability to move the ball and execute under pressure. This was obviously pleasing from my perspective and I loved the way the team and its leaders controlled the game. At fifty minutes we extended our lead to a margin of 52-14, an impressive score line, and we have spoken in the week about what happened next. Conceding three tries, and the manner of these tries, are not part of our defensive identity. We took our collision intensity down a notch and at national league level all teams will expose this. It is some good feedback that we can’t ignore and if we use the learning will be extremely valuable. The other silver lining is that we wrestled our way back into the driving seat with a twenty two phase attack sequence that ended in us winning a penalty. This was a big moment in the game and swung the momentum back in our direction and we finished with another score. When the pressure begins to build this is exactly the type of understanding and character that the best teams have.
In the blink of an eye we are at the final game this three game block. These short bursts of matches will be the prevailing rhythm for the remainder of the season and to finish this first one off with three wins we must travel to Henley. Henley sit above us on equal points and this has always been a challenging fixture. I feel we have grown a great deal in the last two weeks and Saturday will give us a true test of this progress.
The Pilgrims came through their own test last week away at Dover. A team full of experience and ability ran out 27-43 winners scoring seven tries. This keeps them at the top of the table ahead of their game away at Cranbrook this weekend.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

PILGRIMS TOO STRONG FOR DOVER

Posted on | by David Haigh

Dover 27 Canterbury Pilgrims 43

by Dan Gill

Dover started on the front foot with the advantage of the slope in the first half and were quickly on the score sheet after experienced ex-Canterbury man Martyn Beaumont’s cross field kick was gathered by their winger to score out wide for a converted try. The Pilgrims response was immediate and their first meaningful foray into Dover’s half was rewarded with a try for Max Campbell who was given space out wide and outpaced the defence for a score converted well by Owain Collins. Harry Moore, in good form with the boot for Dover, added a penalty soon after with Canterbury punished for offside, their blitz defence adjudged too keen to get off the line. Good close quarter work by the forwards saw open side flank Harvey Furneaux crash over for Pilgrims second try, again converted, but another Moore penalty reduced Canterbury’s lead to a single point. blindside flanker Charlie McGovern, enjoying an excellent all round game, was next to cross the whitewash. Good line out ball and strong runs from Al Evans and Sonny True-Neville sucked in the Dover defence before McGovern’s direct approach saw hIm power over for an unconverted score. Despite losing lock Henry Kenny to a yellow card Pilgrims held on to a 19-13 lead at half time thanks to aggressive defence. The opening exchanges of the second half proved frustrating for both sides as they found themselves on the wrong side of the referees whistle which caused tempers to flare on more than one occasion, but Pilgrims clicked into gear when Kenny returned from the sin bin. Dover tried to relieve pressure with a long clearance kick, well fielded by Collins before Guy Hilton used his pace, found centre Aiden Moss, who showed his class in beating three Dover defenders and sent Furneaux over for the bonus point try. With Pilgrims moving the ball well between forwards and backs and good line out throwing from Nathan Morris it built the platform to launch more attacks. McGovern and Jake Dengate, who made a strong impact from the bench, were both prominent before the next score. A number of close range drives saw ex Dover man Aaron Cooper power over with Collins again adding the extras. Just as the game started to look comfortable, ill discipline and Dover’s determination saw the gap closed. Cooper was given a ten minute period of reflection after the referee adjudged him to be responsible for foul play before fellow front row forward Jenson Bloomfield joined him in the sin bin for a high tackle. Dover made the most of their two man advantage, first adding an unconverted try following a scrum five metres out and a good Beaumont line break got them behind Pilgrims’ stretched defence for their third try which was well converted to cut the lead to eight points This was as close as Dover came though as the Pilgrims showed their class when back to full strength with two further scores. First Aiden Moss dotted down for a try his individual play deserved after strong running from the returning Gus Lister. Forwards and backs then combined well with good phase play to send centre Sonny True-Neville across the line and put the gloss on a good derby display. Pilgrims travel to Cranbrook next Saturday.

Pilgrims: A.Cooper, A.Demery, N. Morris, H.Kenny, W.Hunt, C.McGovern, H.Furneaux, A,Evans, H.Valladares, O.Collins, A.Geddes, S.True-Neville, A. Moss, M,Campbell, G Hilton, J.Bloomfield, J.Dengate, G.Lister.

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Images may be subject to copyright – Ken Matcham

Jones Points The Way

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 59 BURY ST EDMUNDS 35

by David Haigh

For a second week Canterbury soared past the half century mark as their attacking style produced nine tries, a hat trick for wing Garry Jones and a bonus point victory. Once again it was a first half blitz that sent them on their way in this National 2 East clash and later bought them breathing space to see off a spirited Bury response. By half time the city side had hit the 40 mark and were dominating all areas as the visitors struggled at the set pieces and were shredded by an enterprising back division. Jones set the tone with a try after five minutes and although there was a reply with a close range touchdown from Finlay McCartney, converted by Charlie Reed, the rest of the half was mostly a one-way street. Canterbury rattled up another five tries before the break starting with a driving maul completed by Eoin O’Donoghue and an overthrown lineout leading to flanker Chad Thomas scoring the third city try. Bury, looking to counter from deep when they could, had a score ruled out for a forward pass, but it was quickly back to normal service as Canterbury’s risk and reward rugby made the line breaks. Wing Alfie Orris set up a Kurt Heatherley try, the backs opened space for Jones to cross again and Frank Morgan made a telling run for a Tom Williams try in the 38th minute. With five conversions from Frank Reynolds the game was in Canterbury’s grip, tightened two minutes into the second half when the power of wingman Orris was too much for the last Bury defender. It was now, however, that Bury started to find their feet. A try from centre Samir Kharbouch was quickly rubbed out by Jones’ third touch down, and a Reynolds conversion, but the next fifteen minutes showed the visitors at their best. Kharbouch scored twice to become the game’s second hat trick man, Will Metcalfe rumbled over for their fifth try and with Reed converting everything Bury were in a challenging position. But Canterbury settled again in the last quarter and when a piercing break by Yannick de Moubray set up a converted try for Presley Farrance an entertaining job was done.

Canterbury; K.Heatherley, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, A.Orris, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver, Replacements: S.Rogers, Y.de Moubray, O.Frostick, H.Young, P.Farrance

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v Bury St Edmunds - 16 Nov 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Responding To The challenge

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

In last week’s preview I wrote about both squads chomping at the bit to put the previous losses behind us. I feel that the players really brought this to life, scoring a combined total of 99 points over the two games. Not learning from losing is the real crime and we feel that we have exorcised some demons. Our challenge now, for both teams, is to back up these strong performances. We know many teams in the league yo-yo between good and bad performances, but to be at the top end we have to be consistently producing our best.

In the 1st XV’s game against Old Albanians, the real turnaround from Barnes was our attack execution. We accumulated three attacking errors, and six turnovers compared to thirteen and twenty three two weeks ago. That might sound a bit negative, focusing on making less errors, but this allows the players to express themselves with the ball in hand and there were some fantastic performances across the squad.

Bury visit the Marine Travel Ground tomorrow and they sit just three points behind us even though they have two less wins. Another reminder of the importance of bonus points. They have a number of new faces this season and their league position will only improve as they bed in. I think we’re in for an entertaining afternoon of rugby and I am looking forward to seeing the team respond to the challenge.

Those of you who came to see the Pilgrims last week would have been treated to a great afternoon of rugby, the lads coming out 45-7 winners against Beccehamians. We travel with a strong squad to Dover this weekend, where last year’s end to end game pushed us all the way. We will have to be at our best again to come away with the result and the players are up for it

Matt Corker, Head Coach.

Charlie McGovern

Club Sign New Forward

Posted on | by David Haigh

WELCOME CHARLIE McGOVERN

The senior squad have boosted their options in the second row with the signing of 22-year-old Charlie McCovern from Australian side USC Barbarians. Charlie made a try scoring debut for the Pilgrims against Beccehamians. Director of Rugby Taff Gwilliam said: “Charlie comes highly recommended. He is a quick, athletic forward who adds depth and competition to our forward pack. His personality lends itself to fitting in well with our squad as a whole.” The 6t 4ins lock, who weighs in at 108 kg (17stones) has British ancestry and joins from the same club as our Kent County wing, Garry Jones.

Charlie McGovern

Mission Accomplished For Pilgrims

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 45 BECCEHAMIANS 7

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims had two aims: to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season against Bromley and to avenge the 63-0 humbling they suffered in the reverse of this fixture at the end of last season. It was mission accomplished. The city side were quick out of the blocks and were being directed around the park well by the experienced 10-12 axis of Will Hilton and Tom Best. They were making inroads into the visitors territory before their momentum was halted by a nasty looking ankle injury to loose forward Max McCormack which caused a lengthy delay. When play resumed Pilgrims’ asserted their set piece dominance with the pack driving Becc’s back at a scrum just inside their half to give Man of the Match Hector Valladares good front foot ball. The backs moved the ball wide with pace which created gaps in the Beccs defence which open side flank Harvey Furneaux exploited with the first of his numerous line breaks. The ball was recycled quickly and simple hands put speedster Max Campbell away for a converted score. This was quickly followed by a second try after the pack drove Beccs back at a scrum with captain Al Evans breaking off the base before new signing Charlie McGovern marked his Pilgrims debut with a deft pick up to dive over. The try was converted. Pilgrims were back on the attack from the kick off and looking to stretch the play at every opportunity. The direct running of Sonny Trew-Neville and Adrian Geddes punched holes in Beccs defence, creating space which Campbell and Harvey Young exploited at every opportunity. The visitors were always a threat on turnover ball, however, and it was they who scored next. A stray miss pass was dropped, allowing Beccs pacey winger to scoop up the loose ball and elude the covering defence. Pilgrims, with the advantage of the slope, were soon back Into their stride in the second half. Al Evans was next on the score sheet, powering over from close range after a tap penalty.  Another quickly followed as good scrum ball was moved well to the left touch line allowing wingman Geddes to touch down. Best showed his class to identify space and his deft chip over the defence was well finished by Campbell before Harvey Furneaux ended the scoring with the try of the day. Bursting through a gap he left any number of defenders in his wake to cap off a solid display The bonus point win keeps the Pilgrims at the top of Counties 1. They make the short trip to local rivals Dover next Saturday for what promises to be another keenly contested encounter.

Great Performance Says Corker

Posted on | by David Haigh

OLD ALBANIAN 17 CANTERBURY 54

by David Haigh

Head Coach Matt Corker said he was ‘proud of a great performance’ after watching his Canterbury side demolish Old Albanians in an invigorating display of attacking rugby which was rewarded with seven tries. At a ground where the city club last won six years ago the victory also left Corker praising the team’s reaction to their disappointing show in the loss to Barnes last time out as they took an iron grip in the first half and never let it slip. They gave warning with a flying start, building the phases before fly half Frank Reynolds grabbed the first try and showed his well known accuracy with the boot with a fine conversion. Albanians took only a minute to find a score of their own as missed tackles ended with an Alex Noot touch down but the rest of the half belonged entirely to Canterbury. An impressive and dominant pack set up the platform for a free flowing back division and after Reynolds landed a penalty goal full back Kurt Heatherley gathered the restart, set off down the wing and his kick ahead was carried on expertly to the line by Garry Jones. Reynolds was again on target from wide out, then kept the scoreboard ticking with a second penalty goal. When an increasingly stretched home side lost a player to a yellow card Canterbury took full advantage through a catch and drive try from Eoin O’Donoghue. The conversion and a third Reynolds penalty goal saw them reach the break with a 30-5 lead but the one box they still had to tick was a bonus point fourth try. Two minutes into the second half they put that right as Reynolds launched his backs again. Jones was given space, scrum half Tom Williams was there to take the try scoring pass and Reynolds converted. Albanians finally found relief as they exploited a yellow card for Tyler Oliver with tries from wing Alex Ricci and hooker Charlie Fleckney and a Sam Jones conversion. But as soon as the Number eight returned Canterbury hit them again with two scores in as many minutes, Heatherley on the overlap and centre Frank Morgan from close range. The city side’s replacements, with young lock Yannick de Mowbray making his debut, made an impact and late on more quick and precise handling opened the way to a final try from Jones. With Reynolds taking a minor knock, skipper Jamie Stephens awarded himself the goal kicking role and calmly slotted the conversion to round off his team’s all round excellence.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, A.Orris, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, S.Rogers, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.Cooper, O.Frostick, Y.De Mowbray, C.Thomas, P.Farrance

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v Old Albanian - 9 Nov 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

PUTTING THINGS RIGHT

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

As a group, we can’t wait for tomorrow when we get the opportunity to put the Barnes and the Pilgrims loss at Bromley firmly behind us.
Against Barnes we totalled over twenty turnovers, which was exacerbated by us failing to exploit more than fifteen overlaps. This is a stark reflection how bad a day we had with the ball in hand. When you add in that our lineout quality was at 55 per cent the overall attack performance fell well below our standards. The added disappointment is that we statistically delivered our best defensive shift of the season, with our highest tackle completion and dominant tackle percentages. This Jekyll and Hyde feedback gives a mixed picture, the result however didn’t. We know Barnes are a good outfit and have finished high in the league for several seasons but for us to not show our best at home, in front of our fans who support us so loyally, is something that we have had two weeks to wrestle with.
The result has focused us and this past seven days has been one of our best training weeks of the season. We know this only has value if we put it into practice tomorrow at Old Albanians.
The Bromley result for the Pilgrims meant that we went into the week off with the whole squad feeling exactly the same. They return to action tomorrow against Beccehamians at the Marine Travel ground. This game has become an important fixture for them to get back on track.

Matt Corker, Head Coach