Author: David Haigh

Hat Trick Day at Oxford

Posted on | by David Haigh

OXFORD HARLEQUINS 29 CANTERBURY 66

by David Haigh

A commanding performance in the Oxford sunshine brought Canterbury ten tries with hat tricks for Number Eight Tyler Oliver and centre Harry Sloan. Fast, 4G pitches clearly suit the city side as this was the second time this season they have scored over sixty points on the artificial surfaces. After conceding the game’s first try they gradually flexed their muscles, upped their pace to secure a bonus point by half time, then stretched away impressively after the break. They repaired the damage of the early set back with Eoin O’Donohue given space to send Frank Morgan over for the try and Frank Reynolds knocking over the first of his eight conversions. Quins briefly added to Ben Venede’s early score with a catch and drive effort by Jim Roberts, converted by Jamie Whitwell, but that was the last time they enjoyed the lead. Canterbury went to work in expert fashion, putting the squeeze on at the set pieces, carrying hard to create breaks and rattling in three tries in a five minute spell. Oliver, twice, and Garry Jones were the scorers. Quins, lively with the ball in hand despite their defensive problems, staged a mini revival with tries from Jamie Fox and Dave Manning and a Whitwell conversion, but by the end of the half Oliver had grabbed his third from a catch and drive and O’Donoghue’s touchdown pushed the lead to 38-24. From that position a Canterbury side with the breeze at their backs were totally dominant. The second half was full of things to admire, from Reynolds’ 50/22 kick which set up position for Sloan’s first try; the great angles run by the centre for his second and third scores and the effective contribution of the bench replacements. one of whom, Tom Best, had a hand and a foot in two scores. His recognition of space and accurate kick was chased down by Charlie McGovern for the tenth try. Before that, Quins got a consolation score through Ben Bodinham, after Oliver was yellow carded, but this was a day when Canterbury’s class told.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan. W.Waddington, H.Sloan, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.Stephens, J.De Vries, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: C.McGovern, D.Herriott, C.Macmillan, T.Best, W.Calder

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Images may be subject to copyright – Les Gordon Photography

PILGRIMS ROSE TO CHALLENGE

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

The Pilgrims were crowned the Counties 1 Kent winners for the second season running. They did this with a week to spare thanks to their win away at Heathfield and Waldron. The big difference this year is that next season, they will be allowed to take promotion and play in Regional 2. This is a fantastic achievement and the Pilgrims have by no means had it all their own way, fighting hard throughout the campaign. I think the challenge of repeating success shouldn’t be underestimated and Jon Foster has led the lads all the way to another title win. The challenge of playing in the league above next season is exactly what the Pilgrims, and the club, need as we continue to grow as a place where players of all abilities can develop on and off the pitch.

The 1st XV had a good result of their own, beating Henley for the first time since before Covid. We have endured some painful one-point losses in recent fixtures but the players put in an eighty-minute performance to come from behind in the second half and seal the win. The forwards showed how much our maul has improved, scoring two tries from drives and being very close to a third. Frank Morgan scored two of his own and the players put in a good performance across the board.

To maintain our fourth position we must continue to deliver winning performances. Traveling to Oxford Harlequins on Saturday will be another test. They have averaged 37 points per game over the last seven games and we know our defence will be put under the microscope. This is an area where we have shown great improvements this season and, after a week off, the players are feeling fresh and looking forward the game in front of us.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Pilgrims Win Title and Promotion

Posted on | by David Haigh

Heathfield & Waldron 7 Pilgrims 27

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims are champions of Counties Kent One after this clear cut victory and will be promoted to Regional South East 2 next season, Level 6 in the RFU league structure. It is a fine achievement for a side that has now won back to back titles. At Heathfield they quickly settled into their stride as the forwards imposed themselves with a number of strong drives. The backs almost capitalised with their first foray into the Heathfield 22 after a fine break by returning centre Jordan Constant was only stopped by some last ditch defending. Pilgrims were quick to reapply the pressure and drove deep into Heathfield territory before scrum half Hector Valladares found Owain Collins on the short side. His pace saw him dot down for the first score which he also converted. Pilgrims’ defence was once again excellent and their tenacity was forcing mistakes from the home side. A wayward Heathfield lineout was well recovered, the forwards made inroads and the backs moved the ball to wing Gus Lister who evaded the defence to score his 15th try of the season which kept him top of the league try scoring charts. Collins again converted to take the lead to 14-0. The home side were a danger with ball in hand and had pace on the wings, but the aggressive Pilgrims defence continued to keep them at bay and Guy Hilton’s and Collins’ effective running from deep put them on the front foot. Collins took advantage by adding a penalty goal when Heathfield illegally slowed down a ruck to give Pilgrims a 17-0 halftime lead. The home side started the second half brightly, moving the ball to their pacey wide men and only an over hit kick stopped them from scoring. But Pilgrims responded well and stretched the lead to 24 points midway through the half. Veterans Dan Gill and Nathan Morris did well to keep the ball alive before the backs spread the ball to Adrian Geddes who forced his way over in the corner and Collins expertly converted. The fly half then added another three penalty points before an injury to centre Tom Halliday led to Will Hunt stepping out of the back row and into the centre. Heathfield came back strongly but Pilgrims defence again remained resolute, even after Gill received a yellow card for an infringement. Henry Kenny, McCormack and captain Al Evans led the defensive resistance before the team returned to full strength and looked to add a bonus point try. Despite coming close on a number of occasions, it was Heathfield who got the game’s final score, dotting down under the posts in the last play. The day, however, and the title went to Pilgrims.

Pilgrims: Macmillan, Demery, Morris, Kenny, Hunt, McCormack, Divine, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Trew-Neville, Constant, Halliday, Lister, G Hilton, Gill, Everrat, Geddes.

Canterbury Resist Late Challenge

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 31 HENLEY HAWKS 28

by David Haigh

Another tight finish for Canterbury who, after their recent slump in form, have found ways to win again. They had to come from behind in the second half and then hold off a robust challenge from the Hawks in the closing stages. But a maximum five point return sees the city side hold on to fourth place in National 2 East. Canterbury dominated the early stages and were two tries to the good by the eighteenth minute. Eoin O’Donoghue’s break set the scene for the first touchdown by Frank Morgan, following excellent handling by the backs. Frank Reynolds, making his 100th appearance, celebrated with the first of his three conversions but was off target when O’Donoghue scored the second from a powerful driving maul. It was all Canterbury up that point but Henley are a side that do not lie down and by half time they had edged into a one point lead. Max Titchener got them on the score board with a penalty goal before great footwork by centre George Wood earned their first try. It was a Rory Mason catch and drive score, converted by Titchener, that took Hawks briefly into the lead but that sparked an immediate response from the city side who took a similar route for O’Donoghue’s second. In the final minute of the half Titchener’s penalty goal wounded Canterbury again and soon after the restart another penalty award gave Henley the territory and opportunity for Will Benning to cross. The conversion opened a slightly ominous eight point gap, given Canterbury’s recent second half woes. As the game went into the final quarter, however, they decided there would be no repeat. Reynolds’ threaded a kick behind the defence and Morgan won the chase for the try. They stayed on the front foot and in control when Harry Sloan’s crash ball score brought the bonus point. Other chances beckoned but failed to register points and it was Henley who produced a sting in the tail. Titchener’s third penalty goal cut the lead to three and the city defenders had to resist intense late pressure before restricting the Hawks to a miserly one point, arguably less than they deserved.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, H.Furneaux, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: D.Herriott, T.Best, J.De Vries, T.Williams, S.Rogers

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v Henley - 22 March 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

WE AIM TO FNISH STRONGLY

Posted on | by David Haigh

PILGRIMS CLOSE TO TITLE WIN
Last Saturday we had another first half to be proud of and the defence in the opening minutes set the tone for the next forty. Going in at the break 7-31 is exactly what we knew we were capable of and our tries came from building pressure and clinical finishing. The lesson from the last few weeks has clearly been that we must play for the full eighty and we knew we hadn’t finished the job. Even though the scores narrowed to end with a two-point margin, earning five points on the road and getting back to winning ways was always top of the agenda.

Our set piece stuttered in the second half and this prevented us from capitalising on the positives we created. This ultimately gave a good Bury team too many chances but three penalties from Frank Reynolds were enough to keep us out of reach. The players showed great commitment, winning collisions and coming up with a big turnover to win the game. Not perfect but we worked hard and got the job done.

With Henley visiting the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday we know that we need to continue to show the improvements of last weekend and bring control for the whole duration of the game. Henley are always a strong side and seasoned National 2 campaigners. With only two home games left, we want to give everyone plenty to cheer about and finish the season strongly.

The Pilgrims are back in action and a victory tomorrow away at Heathfield and Waldron will be enough to win the league before the final round. The team know what is at stake and have worked so hard all season, this is their opportunity to be champions.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

RAY EVISON

Posted on | by David Haigh

SUPPORTER, REFEREE, RUGBY MAN
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Ray Evison, a long time member and supporter of the club and a thoroughly knowledgeable rugby man. During a distinguished refereeing career Ray was one of Kent’s leading officials and when the game turned professional became a member of RFU refereeing teams at many top class matches. He was also a founder member of the COBS group (Canterbury Old Boys Senate) which raised the funds for the installation of the stand on the first team pitch. Ray was a Cheshire man but spent many years of his career in Canterbury teaching design and still found time to serve as a respected local magistrate. His sporting interests were wide and he was a popular member of Chestfield Golf Club where he and his wife Lynne often played mixed matches. It is to Lynne and the family that we extend our sympathies and support.
“Ray was a tremendous supporter of CRFC both home and away,” said club Chairman Giles Hilton. “He always had a fair word to say and enjoyed chatting to the match officials after the game! As one of the original team behind COBS all of those who have sat in the stand owes Ray a debt of gratitude.”
Fellow COBS member Peter Hermitage writes: “Ray’s passing is extremely sad. I liked Ray very much and had some good times with him at rugby matches, especially in the context of COBS. He was a bright, sociable man who I will miss. I thought of him last Saturday when I was at Canterbury RFC in the stand and would normally have had a whisky with him at half time. I’ll toast his memory now.”

Details of Ray’s funeral will be published when arrangements have been completed.

First Half Show Earns Win

Posted on | by David Haigh

BURY ST EDMUNDS 38 CANTERBURY 40

by David Haigh

Being on the wrong end of close run things has become Canterbury’s default position in recent games but here they reversed a sequence of four defeats by surviving a second half battering to complete a league double over the Suffolk club. How they came to be in trouble after establishing a 31-7 lead by half time will be top of the post match inquest. In the first forty minutes the city side played some of their most effective rugby of the season as pace, accuracy and flair brought four tries and a bonus point. After the turn round they looked a different side as they came under constant pressure from a motivated Bury who added five tries to their solitary first half score. Canterbury struggled for possession , created only one real try scoring opportunity and it was only the unfailing accuracy of fly half Frank Reynolds kicking, with three penalty goals, that saw them home. It was Reynolds who slotted the first three points of the game before Bury were taken apart. It started with ball spread wide from a catch and drive where Harry Sloan speared over. Next came a sharp break by Presley Farrance, finished by Frank Morgan, and the scrum half was again involved in the move which brought Harvey Furneaux a third try. When Bury made rare progress they gave a small hint of things to come, breaking off a maul for a try by James Harrison converted by Callum Hall. It seemed a minor blip when Jessie De Vries marched over under the posts two minutes before the break and Reynolds kicked his fourth conversions. Then the game was turned on its head by a Bury side determined to mark the start of the club’s centenary celebrations with a better show. They took just three minutes to strike through a catch and drive score by Finn McCartney and the pressure on penalty prone Canterbury very rarely eased. McCartney again, and Alex Earnshaw crossed, both converted by Hall, before Reynolds kept his city side ten points in front. Bury responded with tries by George Grigg-Pettit and, late on, a converted touchdown from George Loose. But it was not enough as Reynolds kept them at bay with a massive strike from half way and another nerveless kick five minutes from time.

Canterbury: A.Moss, H.Furneaux, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.De Vries, J.Stephens T.Mackenzie. Replacements: C.McGovern, D.Herriott, T. Williams, S.Rogers, T.Best

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v Bury St Edmunds - 15 March 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Missed Opportunities

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

To win a game of rugby it isn’t about how may good moments you have, how much possession or field position you earn, it is simply about getting over the white line. When I review our last two games, if I put our best two halves and our worst two halves together there is a very different and contrasting picture. On Saturday by half time we should have put the game to bed. Going in 18-0 isn’t a bad score line by any means but the number of opportunities we failed to convert left the game closer than it should have been. Regardless, our second-half performance falls into the same category as our first half against Barnes, well below what we expect from ourselves. Some poor individual tackling and inaccuracies in the attacking 22 left us within one score going into the final 3 minutes. Getting turned over at the final scrum is something that a top four team can’t afford to do and a different outcome in this moment would have given us the platform to close the game out.

This week has all been about reinforcing clarity in our plan and understanding the behaviours that make us successful, the ones that we exhibit when we are at full flow playing our best rugby. We know that recent results are not because we were outclassed, or not from creating opportunities to win games. It is down to our ability to stay on task and finish. When your back is against the wall you find out about the character of people and teams, tomorrow is a day we will learn what this team is all about.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

SECOND HALF SLIPPAGE

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 18 OLD ALBANIAN 21

by David Haigh

A try in the final minute of the game condemned Canterbury to their fourth consecutive defeat as they let a first half lead of eighteen points slip away. It was a sobering experience for a city side that lost its way in a mixture of flawed decisions, basic errors and Albanians domination of the breakdown. The fall from grace frustrated a big crowd who watched Canterbury control the first forty minutes but never do quite enough with all their territory and possession. Head Coach Matt Corker admitted: “We left points out there ” and that hard fact came back to bite them. They started brightly enough and only an unlucky bounce robbed Presley Farrance of a score as he chased Garry Jones’ chip kick. The scrum half made amends for that in the ninth minute after Eoin O’Donoghue launched the initial break, the forwards piled in and Frank Reynolds converted. The city side went looking for more and, despite the loss of Jones with a ham string injury, they were constantly dangerous in the wide channels where debutant Harry Sloan caused Albanians defence all kinds of problems. He was part of the move that sent Harvey Furneaux over for the second try but although Reynolds conversion attempt hit a post he was to prove the only provider of more points before half time. Canterbury had their chances but failed to deliver and relied on the fly half’s two penalty goals. The visitors had hardly been a threat up to that point but all that changed in the opening minute of the second half. A lineout move and a missed tackle saw flanker Archie Radovanovic cross and Patrick Bishop convert. From there Canterbury failed to exploit their strengths, were turned over in possession all too easily and slumped into mediocrity. A punishing break by OA scrum half Bailey Thomas set up his side’s second try, scored by back rower Ben Alexander and converted by Bishop, and a Canterbury struggling to get front foot ball found themselves hanging on. As the clock ticked down they held up one attack over their own line but in the last play Thomas finished off a barrage of pick and go’s as he squeezed over. Bishop kicked his third conversion to remind Canterbury of how far they had fallen.

Canterbury: A.Moss, G.Jones, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, H.Furneaux, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, O.Frostick, E.O’Donoghue, A.Cooper, J.De Vries, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: C.Macmillan, H.Kenny, C.McGovern, T.Williams, F.Morgan

 

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v Old Albanian - 8 March 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

TIME TO REFLECT

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

I can’t remember a time in my seven seasons at the club of going in 40-0 down at half time. We have had some tough days on the pitch, but this was new. I think after a day like Saturday there are many ways to review our performance and it is important which angle of reflection we choose. The players said it themselves after the game, there is no way we can forget how we played in the first forty. It is equally important not to gloss over what they achieved in the second half, something that no other team has accomplished against Barnes in a long time. Winning the second half 5-35, scoring seven converted tries against second in the league, is arguably as good as the first half was disappointing.

We spoke at half-time about not being satisfied coming off second best in all the micro battles of the game, believing in what we are capable of and remembering that we represent the club every time we pull on a Canterbury shirt. The strength of the reaction shows how much it means to the players to be part of this team and also what they are capable of. If we can iron out some of the small kinks the potential of this group remains very exciting.

With this being the business end of the season, when results decide league positions, tomorrow is an important game. Old Albanians sit eight points behind us, coming off the back of three wins, and it sets up Saturday as a decisive game in this round. We are focused on showing we can play as we did in the second forty minutes of last week, from the first whistle.

With their win against Dover, and tomorrow’s cancellation against Cranbrook, the Pilgrims only have two games remaining for them to maintain their position and be crowned Counties Kent One champions. It may feel very close but we will be taking nothing for granted when the tam return to action on the 22nd March, away to Heathfield and Waldron, before the final game two weeks later at home to Crowborough.

Matt Corker, Head Coach