Author: Denys Andrianjafy

Pilgrims travelled to Dover for an early season local derby. The visitors started well, but within two minutes, lost possession missed tackles, and allowed the home side to break through and score an unconverted try, 5-0. Canterbury exerted more pressure, they won a line out 5 yards out but were harshly penalised for a throw that was not straight. Dover broke free, Martyn Beaumont, ex-first team captain, created an easy try which was converted, the lead was now 12-0 to the home side.

More good play and possession followed by the Pilgrims, but they lacked the final pass and were making errors and giving the ball away.  A penalty saw them go 15-0 down within 20 minutes. Then Dan Gill received a yellow card for stamping, Pilgrims lost their cool and Dover walked through for another 7 points. Half-time could not come sooner, 22-0 down and needing a very good second half to get back into the game!

Within minutes of the restart Canterbury messed up again and allowed Dover in for an easy try under the posts, 29-0.

The pilgrims started to get things going, good pressure on the Dover defensive line saw Beaumont transgress and get a yellow. Eoin O’Donoghue did a quick touch and go to score, Ollie Ashley-Jones converted, 29-7. A number of the pilgrims were having a good game individually, but still needed to gel as a team. More possession, but no points. Still errors when in good position, excellent defending by Dover, and the game got scrappy.

The home Partisan crowd played its part, the pilgrims got rattled playing away from home, they could not get the ball wide enough, quick enough, and the home side did not miss any tackles!

Then Eoin O’Donoghue, who had a good afternoon, scored again, Ollie did his bit and it was 29-14. At least Pilgrims won the second half! This new, young side still has much to learn, but there were many positives to take away from the game. Dover travel to Merton lane for the Christmas return game on December 17^th, let us hope they do not play so well and Canterbury improve.

Pilgrims now have two games at home on the trot. This Saturday v Gilligham Anchorians, and the following week v Maidstone. Book into lunch and come along and watch two exciting games.

17th Sept.

Pilgrims 55 v Southwark lancers 7 (H-T 24-7)

Within the first few minutes of the game, Ollie Ashley-Jones got the ball and Ran in a 90 metre try, alas he missed the conversion, 5-0 to the Pilgrims. Eight minutes later Nico Englbrecht, playing his last game before going to University, went on an unstoppable darting run to make it 10-0, this time Ollie converted, 12-0.

After 16 minutes, a poor box kick, which really just went straight up, was pounced on by the visiting Number ten, who proceeded to break through the home defence to score under the posts for a converted try, 12-7. The home side then proceeded to put a lot of pressure on the visitors. Taking control of nearly every scrum they pushed The Lancers back, and were thwarted on a number of occasions by resolute defending. The Canterbury pack were having a good day, and Jake Dengate, went on to have a very good day. James Everatt came on for Dan Gill, as part of the prop rotation, the props swopped sides and within minutes Jack Green was able to lose two tackles, make 40 yards, and used his pace to score, but again, due to a difficult cross wind, Ollie, just missed again, 17-7. The pilgrims were passing the ball quickly through their players, and it was just a matter of time before more points would be added!

From a scrum, and the ensuing 20 yard push, Ollie got the ball out to Max Halliday, whose weaving run deceived the visitors, and he scored a converted try to lead 24-7. On the stroke of half time Southwark Lancers pushed hard and were only stopped from scoring by good defensive work, the home side holding the ball up from what was going to be a certain try, half time arrived with the home side 24-7 up. 4 tries to 1.

The referee was having an excellent game, you hardly noticed him throughout the game. Royce Cadman was captaining the side after his return to rugby from his recent marriage, the squad benefitted from his experience and leadership.

Eoin O’Donoghue, came on immediately looked at home, and make some excellent runs and tackles. The team try of the day soon came. Excellent work from the combined forwards and backs resulted in Jack Green playing Adrian Geddes in for an unconverted try 29-7.

Vaughn Meredith went on a dazzling 25 yard solo run to score, Ollie converting 36-7. Within minutes after a scrum and another excellent push, Luke Webber, who won the supporters player of the day award, got the ball to Ollie Ashley-Jones to score an unconverted try 41-7.

Adam Malik latched into to a good drive by the home side, the ball was given to Meredith who dived and reached with one hand to score a converted try, 48-7. With time running out Meredith completed his hat trick with a superb solo run, Converted by Ollie, 55-7. Pilgrims secured their first league win of the season, scoring 9 tries, 5 converted.

The whole squad played their part, this was a very good team performance.

Their next game is against local rivals Dover at the Crabble on the 24th September, 3:00 kick off, and so it might! Don’t miss it.

Scorers:-Tries – Ashley-Jones, Nico Englebrecht, Jack Green, Max Halliday, Adrian Geddes, Vaughn Meredith, Ashley-Jones, Vaughn Meredith, Vaughn Meredith.

Conversions 5, by Ashley-Jones