Author: Denys Andrianjafy

Whitstable 2nds V Zingari

Match report – Whitstable 2nds V CRFC Zingari

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

This was a different Whitstable from their previous encounter, the Whitstable pack stopped Canterbury from making any serious inroads until twenty minutes into the first half. It was down to Brad Allchurch making a welcome return to the club setting off on a charging run from deep touching down out wide, to give the city side a slim lead. Whitstable pack having the slight edge at the set piece managed to maintain their fair share of possession but seemed unable to make any meaningful breakthrough, mainly due to some fierce tackling that secured the city side a small but significant halftime lead.

At the change round it looked as if things would remain the same until ten minutes in when Will Rayner made a breakthrough to go over near the posts, and with Kev Stevens’ conversion at least daylight could now be seen between the two sides. Whitstable’s response was to try and exercise some dominance using some accurate long-range clearance kicks that seemed to be very effective, but with time running out the city backs caught the Whitstable backs time and again behind the gain line opening up all sorts of possibilities. First to take advantage was Mark Stone slipping through the defence for a converted try, followed by Will Rayner’s second of the afternoon. With the city forwards still keeping up their work rate they unleashed their backs for one final attack in the dying moments, finished by Richard Collins’ tackle-breaking run to go under the posts, and with Kev Stevens added conversion sealed the game for the city side.

Try 

Richard Collins 1

Mark Stone 1

Brad Allchurch 1

Will Rayner 2

Conversions

Kevin Stevens 3

VS Westcliff

Match preview – 1st XV V Westcliff

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Its great for me to wish you happy new year and its also great that January has brought an end to the frozen pitches of December. That said the forecast is predicting a different weather challenge so it might be advisable to bring your wellies!

This time last season some of you may remember our first game back after the Christmas break was against Old Albanians at home. After that performance we were very disappointed, and we agreed we had not returned from the Christmas break in good enough condition. This year to combat repeating the same mistake the players have all been in positional WhatsApp groups and been sharing messages and photos of the sessions they have been doing on their own. The second row group was definitely the best, no bias I promise, and they were posting videos of their workouts, some even edited with background music! We also had an extra session on Monday to get the rust off and a Bronco fitness test on Tuesday in the wind a rain so we can measure how the players have returned. The results are so far showing that the players hard work has paid off, but the real test will be on Saturday afternoon.

There are only a couple of changes to the team that was selected to play against Tonbridge. Jamie Stephens returns to the bench after recovering from his concussion and it’s exciting to have him back in the fold. Tom Halliday had an operation over the break and is still recuperating so he is replaced by Lewis Hollidge. Lewis has joined us on loan from Blackheath and I am looking forward to seeing him have his first run out for Canterbury.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

CANTERBURY TALES

So, a new year is with us but the challenges remain the same. Between now and April we face a test of character if we are to preserve our status as a National Division 2 club. A big part of the problems in the first half of the season have been the team’s inability to come away with points from scoring positions. That lack of a finishing touch has resulted in a poor return of three wins from thirteen games and leaves us just one place above the relegation zone. So what lies ahead? We will no doubt be targeting certain home games starting with bottom club Westcliff and fixtures against Sevenoaks, Guernsey and, in the last, match of the season, North Walsham. Winning on the road is always difficult but next month’s trip to Rochford |Hundred is another potential points earner. On the player front we have new faces in the back division in centre Lewis Hollidge, who is on loan from Blackheath, and Ross Gladdish who joined from Westcliff in December and is another former Blackheath man. The return of skipper Jamie Stephens is a boost to the squad ahead of the Westcliff encounter while the promising Will,Calder, another sidelined recently by injury, is back on duty with the Pilgrims. Aiden Moss and Charlie Kingsman, both missing for over three months, may be declared fit later this month which could help restore some of the firepower we have badly missed.

Happy 2023

Happy New Year!

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

As the new year dawns upon us,and we drop out 22 with fun.Take some time to stop and to reflecton just how far we’ve come. 

As a rugby club of manypartners, players, supporters and fans,bonding through purpose and laughteralways cheering in the stand. 

We’ve had a season of mixed fortune.Emotions up and down,but we’ve built a rugby fortressat the Marine Travel Ground. 

Amber and black, let’s look ahead,reset and keep moving on.Whatever part you have to play,together we are strong. 

We’ll rise up, we’ll take the lead,we’ll be the club other teams fear.We’ll score the tries, we’ll win the game,23 will be our year. 

For those no longer with us,your spirit forever at our games.The tales, the laughs, the tears the jokes,the clubhouse echoing your names. 

A tenant that we strive towardsat our growing rugby hub.Whether on the field or off the fieldwe will forever be One Club. 

To all who travelled with us,to all who turned up to cheer.Raise a glass and drink a toastto a prosperous new year. 

 

View some of this season’s highlights

Thank you to Phillipa Hilton and ken Matcham for the amazing photographs you have taken.

 

East U21 vs West U21 match report

Canterbury leave it late

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

CANTERBURY U21s 34 TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS U21s 24

These East and West Kent rivals served up some lively floodlit Christmas fare as they shared nine tries in the last game of the old year at Merton Lane. The decisive try was scored and converted by Canterbury’s Olly Ashley-Jones three minutes from the end of a match in which forward power played a major role. The Canterbury pack dominated the first thirty minutes and was the keystone in building a 22-point lead. When squad changes came from the replacements bench it was TJs turn to take control of the scrums and reduce the deficit to just three points. It set up an intriguing final session with Canterbury nudging further ahead through a penalty goal before TJs fourth try left everything in the balance with only one point between the sides. Then came the late burst from Canterbury to seal a competitive and entertaining encounter.

East vs West

Wednesday night rugby

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Come and enjoy a big pre-Christmas night of rugby at the club this Wednesday, December 21st, where East Kent Under 21s meet West Kent Under 21s, kick-off 7.45 pm. There will be a strong Canterbury contingent in the East Kent team. Food and drinks will be available in the clubhouse from 6 pm.

East Kent U21 squad

Zach Abott
James Alexander
Stuart Allin
Olly Ashley-Jones
Thomas Ashley-Jones
Harry Dean
Jake Dengate
Noah Dann
Nico Engelbrecht
James Everatt
Harvey Fernaux
Adrian Geddes
Tom Halliday
Max Halliday
Joe Harvey
Gabriel Hayden
Rob Knott
Finnan Langley
Thomas MacKenzie
Cameron MacMillan
Alex May
Will McColl
Cameron Murray
Eoin O’Donoghue
Finn Rowland
Lloyd Sibson-Harris
Monty Spicer
Joe Street
Sonny Trew-Neville
George Uden
Will Wallis

300 Club Winners

300 Club Winners

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Congratulations to our October and November winners:

October

78 x Iain Heatlie
59 x Peter Hermitage
145 x Mark Woolard
98 x Bill Piper
196 x Bob Pilcher

November

7 x Michael White
55 x JD Harris
30 x Chris Daughton
2 x JP Allingham
28 x D W Craig

Senior Fixtures Update

Senior fixtures update

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Four matches cancelled this weekend due to frozen pitches:

Pilgrims V Dover Sharks – Home

3rds V Tunbridge Wells 2nds – Home

Ashford Barbarians V Deacons – Away

Hammersmith & Fulham Ladies V Canterbury Women – Away

We do have a match you can get behind though Tonbridge Juddians V 1st XV

We have a supporters coach leaving from the Marine Travel Ground at 12.00 sharp. There are still some seats left. Come and join the cheering section!

Cost is £15 per person, which includes a LIMITED EDITION BOBBLE HAT, the wearing of which is compulsory!

Strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, please email your name, and the number of spaces required, to Kirsty, our Club & Events Manager at:kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk.

Canterbury Food Bank

Supporters boost food bank

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Thanks to the generosity of club members and supporters a Canterbury charity has been given a wonderful Christmas present. The chair of Canterbury Food Bank went to our pre-match lunch on December 10th expecting to pick up a cheque for £500. By the time the meal was over the amount had risen to £6000. A charity auction raised £1500 and that was boosted by individual donations which included two single gifts of £1000.

At the lunch, attended by over 200 club supporters, the Food Bank’s Martin Ward said: “I was amazed at the generosity of these big-hearted people living in the local community.“We were delighted with the £500 donation – I really didn’t expect to leave with twelve times that amount.

“The Cost of Living Crisis has brought extraordinary new pressures on the people we help. But with donations like this, we will get through it together and make sure no one goes without food.”

The charity, which serves Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, and surrounding villages, provided enough food in the past year to make 96,450 meals for people in the district suffering financial difficulty.

Club Chairman Giles Hilton said: “As a club, we like to feel that we are a big part of the local community of Canterbury. It was important that in these difficult times we support in as many ways as we can. Canterbury Food Bank is just a superb part of the same community and we are delighted to have been able to support on this occasion.“

Match update TJs vs 1st XV

Match update vs TJs

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Please note that the Tonbridge Juddians v Canterbury 1st XV match will take place at

VizzardsLower Haysden LaneHaysden ParkOff Brooke StreetTonbridgeTN9 2PLKick off is 230pmAny supporters traveling we will meet from about 1pm in

The Foresters Arms51-52 Quarry Hill RoadTonbridgeTN9 2RTThe ground is 5 a minute drive approx from the pub.There is still room on the coach which leaves CRFC at 12 noon email kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk. £15 per person to include a 2022 Club Bobble Hat.

TJ's vs Canterbury 1st XV

Cheer on the game before Christmas

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy
Further industrial action by South Eastern Railways scheduled to take place on Saturday 17th December 2022  will doubtless derail (sorry – couldn’t resist it) the travel plans that some of you may have made for our away trip to Tonbridge Juddians.

We are, however, pleased to announce that Giles has booked a coach to leave from the Marine Travel Ground at 1200 sharp.

Cost is£15 per person, which includes a LIMITED EDITION BOBBLE HAT, the wearing of which is compulsory!

Strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, please email your name, and the number of spaces required, to Kirsty, our Club & Events Manager at:kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk.

Please do not delay to avoid disappointment.