Author: Denys Andrianjafy

Hellfire

Hellfire hasn’t gone cold

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

It seems like a lifetime ago when the country was in lock down and the way we did things changed overnight. But thankfully most things returned to the new norm quite quickly. In the world of wheelchair rugby, however, it has taken a little longer. But finally on February the 19th 2023 after months of having to train in a small and new group Hellfire got wheels on, gloves on and relit the fire at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the home of the Paralympic movement.

A team of five new hopefuls and team captain Steve Brown took to the court for the very first time as a team, with some generous support of an experienced player from each of the three other teams taking part in the tournament to help make up the numbers. The first game against Brighton Buccaneers started off with quite a few nerves, a few glances at Steve for advice but very quickly the smiles formed, the tries scored, the turnovers won and a final score of 9-15, a win for Hellfire!

As the day progressed with the help and support from the other teams taking part as well as sage advice, experience and leadership from former Team GB captain Steve the team started to grow more and more as each minute of the game clock counted down. The next two games were really positive and a lot was learned by our fledgling team members. The heats ended with one win and two losses.

The final game of the day for us was a play off for third and fourth place featuring a highly experienced team with a full bench of substitutes and just six Canterbury Hellfire members cheered on by their family. The loan players from other teams had returned to their original teams but after the first five minutes the whole stadium, all the other teams and all of the supporters we transfixed on the underdog side who not only held their own but we’re starting to believe they could actually win. The cheers from the crowd grew with each try scored by each team until with four minutes of match time left the scores were level. The banging of wheels grew louder as both teams were hitting harder and harder. The calls for the ball from both teams had to be shouted over the noise coming from the crowd. The clock counts down to zero and the score are dead level!

Players from both sides, coaches and supporters were all asking the same question “what happens now?”. Finally, word reached the bench that there would be a playoff where the first team to score two tries in a row would win. There would be no time limit. Whilst the players took a quick water break and tried to control the adrenaline the coaches and family realised that the whole room had stopped what is was doing, staff from the host venue had come in to see what the noise was all about and now everyone was watching. The clocks are reset, the whistle blows and it’s a point for Brighton, then a point for Hellfire, back and forth it goes like an epic Wimbledon final. The noise is truly inspiring, the smiles, enjoyment and confidence from both teams is clear to see. The effort and energy being found as each phase is played now feels limitless; and then the moment comes. A try scored by Canterbury Rugby to take the lead, a fumble from Brighton, a quick smash and grab (literally) and a sprint for the line for Hellfire and a deafening cheer as two wheels cross the line to secure the win and third place in the tournament.

Players: Steve Brown (c), Owen West, Tolga Sasmaz, Bethany Fearn, Sawyer Wright, Archie Beaumont.

Coaches: Ian Lloyd & Jack Lloyd.

Special thanks to Dave Mannings and his team for their help with Logistics and to the travelling families, who are all an essential part of the Hellfire squad.

Pilgrims V Westcombe Park

Match Report v Westcombe park, Saturday 18th February, away

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

A very good Pilgrims team travelled to Westcombe Park to take on the best side that Combe had put out all season! A poor start by the visitors did not help their cause. A knock on from the kick off, followed by a penalty for “holding on” resulted in an easy kick for the home side, who lead 3-0 within a minute! Shortly after this, the Pilgrims gave another penalty away, this time from a high tackle, this time Combe missed, still 3-0.

An incredible kick for touch went into touch by the corner flag, but from the poor throw in by the home side, Canterbury were able to clear their lines up to the twenty-two. Combe came back again, as Canterbury could not get to grips with the game, the wet weather, the slippery ball and everything else! More pressure. After a quarter of an hour ‘Park’ got another penalty for Offside, and this time they made it 6-0.

The pilgrims were still trying to get themselves into the game, nothing was going their way, and some of the decisions were harsh to say the least! After a good move by the visitors and a good lineout, from which the drive nearly forced a try, Combe repelled the attack and cleared their lines. On 26 minutes, the Captain, Vaughn Meredith, went on one of his famous solo dart and dodging runs to score, Olly Ashley-Jones converted and the lead changed, 6-7 to the visitors.

The game was getting spicy, mainly because the referee could not keep up with the fast pace of the game, not totally his fault, and both sides were brought together and spoken to. Lots of indifferent play by both sides. Charlie Kingsman, who had a great game, kicked and chased a loose ball for 70 metres, but the bounce was not favourable. More pressure by the visitors followed. Then Tom Halliday received a yellow, with 4 minutes to go before half-time. The Pilgrims were having a good spell and more pressure near the try line resulted in another pick and drive, this time by Luke Webber, who got over the line, for Olly to convert and the visitors went in at half time 6-14 up.

A ragged second half followed, the pilgrims could not throw straight at line outs, which was proving costly. Their scrum was second best all day to the home side, and from one of many that they lost, Combe peeled off the back and scored an easy try, which they duly converted, 13-14. Another penalty followed for not rolling away, this was kicked and the home side took the lead back 16-14! Was this going to be a banana skin game?

Yet more penalties and more poor line outs. Midway through the half, Luke Webber scored his second try, after a succession of ‘pick up and goes’. Charlie Kingsman converted, Pilgrims back in front 16-21. Then the pilgrims got two penalties within minutes from a very kickable position, but Kingsman missed both. At this point Canterbury were in control of the game. A great move involving the backs sent Tom Ashley-Jones away, but he was crashed into touch a few yards short. The home side kicked out, Luke Webber caught the ball, and then went on an amazing, out of this world run to score out wide, for his Hat-Trick try, this time Charlie Kingsman did not miss, 16-28, bonus point for four tries, and the win to stay top of the table, by one point.

Pilgrims have to play Dover, 3rd and Park House, 4th next. They start this Friday 24th at 7:30 v Dover at the Marine travel ground. Come along and watch the best away side in the league and play the side with the best home record. Dover are the league highest points scorers, Canterbury are second. Promises to be a great night out, come and have a saucy Flo Curry.

Scorers, Luke Webber 15, Vaughn Meredith 5, Olly Ashley-Jones and Charlie Kingsman both 4 points.

VS Sevenoaks

Match report – 1st XV V Sevenoaks

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

CANTERBURY 33 SEVENOAKS 30by David Haigh From the comfort of a fifteen point second half lead Canterbury ended up clinging on for this important National 2 East victory. With both sides hovering on the fringes of the relegation battle there was plenty at stake and Sevenoaks’ domination of the final 20 minutes marked them out as likely winners.   Instead, they were restricted to a second bonus point, earned with a try in the last minute, thanks to Canterbury’s massive defensive effort and astute changes from the bench at a time when the city club were hit with two yellow cards and a sending off.  As the Duke of Wellington said after that long ago skirmish at Waterloo, “it was the nearest run thing you ever saw.”   Surviving the late siege was not the only challenge Canterbury had to overcome as the sharp and focused visitors made a flying start and were twelve points ahead after only eight minutes. Tries from Henry Galligan and Jonny Short, plus a Ben Adams conversion, were  helped by suspect tackling. When  Canterbury came alive, however, they were just as effective in finding holes and won a four try bonus point by half time. A midfield break by scrum half Ben Cooper made the first incision before Lewis Hollidge’s opening try. Continuing pressure saw Oaks leaking penalties and when Frank Reynolds spotted space on the right his cross kick bounced into Cameron Murray’s path.  Oaks pulled back three points with an Adams penalty goal but they could not stop a driving maul which ended in Eoin O’Donoghue touching down.  Jamie Stephens rounded off close quarter work from a clever pop pass to register the fourth and with three conversions from Reynolds, who passed the 100 point mark for the season, the earlier damage was repaired.  When Cooper ran in the opening try of the second half, after good attacking work in mid-field, and Reynolds topped it up the city side looked firmly in the driving seat.  But the lively visitors soon reminded them that if you don’t fasten the safety belt you are unwise and they took control of possession and territory. Adams kicked his second penalty goal then converted Short’s second try on 60 minutes and Canterbury now had a dog fight on their hands. Losing Danny Herriott and Stephens to the sin bin and Tom Best to a red card, put their discipline under scrutiny but their defiance and commitment left Sevenoaks no more time after Galligan’s last ditch score.Canterbury: W.Waddington, G.Hilton (repl T.Best),S.Sterling, L.Hollidge, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper (repl T.Williams), .B. Young, N.Morris (repl E.O’Donoghue), D.Herriott (repl C. Macmillan), D.Irvine, J.Stephens, H.Furneaux, C.Murray, T.Oliver (repl A.Evans).

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v Sevenoaks - 18 Feb 2023

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Match-Preview-1st-XV-V-Sevenoaks

Match preview – Canterbury V Sevenoaks

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

A ham string strain rules out Tristan King from Saturday’s contest.   Harvey Furbneaux takes the vacant place in the back row where Tyler Oliver returns from injury in the Number Eight shirt.  Skipper Jamie Stephens moves to the second row as Jessie De Vries is unfit.  Tom Best,  who missed the victory at Tonbridge Juddians, is named among the replacements together with Alex Evans.  Head Coach Matt Corker writes: “If I zoom out to look at the last block of three games, there have been two great performances and one which is an important lesson for us. I believe that the games against Worthing and Tonbridge have shown what this team is capable of when we are at our best. The intensity that we showed, and the level of work that we were prepared to go through for each other defined the performances, as well as being what underpinned our success. The thorn on the rose was the Saturday we spent away at Dorking, which is the lesson that we can not afford to forget. We are privileged to play in a very competitive league and we have learnt what happens when we are not at our best. Sevenoaks were worthy winners when we visited them earlier in the season, and I have no doubt that this weekend’s fixture will be another strongly contested affair.”

Having taken over as leaders of Counties Kent 2 the Pilgrims travel to Westcombe Park seeking to keep their title push on track.  They face a pivotal game next Friday evening at The Marine Travel Ground when they meet third placed Dover in a re-arranged fixture which was postponed during December’s cold weather snap.

Benny Bell

Benny Bell

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Benny BellWe have learned with great sadness that one of the club’s stalwarts over many seasons, Benny Bell, has died.  Benny served our club in a variety of roles, as  player, sectary, treasurer, and international ticket officer.  Former club president Steve Uglow pays this tribute.  “Benny Bell made the wise decision to leave Maidstone and join Canterbury, playing his first match for the Pilgrims in 1976. He was a talented winger with a good turn of pace, playing regularly for the 1st XV and the Pilgrims.   Age was beginning to catch up but Benny loved the game and was happy to play whether it was the Pilgrims or the Cardinals. In between scoring hatfulls of tries, he took pleasure in discussing the finer points of the laws of the game with the referee, often from the other side of the field. A change in direction came in the 3rd XV under my captaincy – it was an international Saturday and an early morning kick-off at Merton Lane when I confessed to failing to find a scrum half and was begging for volunteers. Benny raised his hand, had a super game AND was too tired to criticise the ref. It was a win-win. By the end of the season, he was playing 1st XV rugby. At the end of season club supper, Benny (in his late thirties) was given the ‘most improved’ player award.  When he stopped playing, Benny threw his heart and soul into the role of club secretary as well as appointing himself as resident thorn-in-the-side of the club chairman. He was a Cumbrian by birth, from Hartsop, in Patterdale. And it showed – nothing got by on-the-nod and Benny would always dig down and check and then check again. He was a man for detail. But it was always the good of Canterbury Rugby that was uppermost in his mind.  In recent seasons, he was always to be found on the touchline, staying involved in the changes in playing membership and coaching. In this, as in so many other areas, he was a man of many opinions, some of them (by the law of averages) right. He also had the disconcerting habit of remembering matches in the dim and distant past, blow by blow, scores, and scorers. Incidents that one had forgotten and wished to keep that way….”

Benny Bell was an important part of the club’s history. Whether arguing with him or just chewing the fat, he could put a smile on your face. We send our deepest condolences to Sally and all his family.

Benny’s funeral will be held at Barham Crematorium on Monday, March 20th at 2.40 pm. After the service, you are invited to celebrate Benny’s life at the rugby club from 3.30pm.

Family flowers only but donations if desired direct to British Lung Foundation or Canterbury Rugby Club. A collection will be made on the day as well.Please email sallyb46@hotmail.com to let Sally ( daughter) know if you will be attending so that Saucy Flo’s can provide enough food for all!

Match-Report-Zingari-V-Faversham

Match report Zingari V Faversham 2nds

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury 5th v Faversham 2nd
Canterbury 55pts. Faversham 10pts.

Despite the final score line the city side were made to fight for every single point by a Faversham side that refused to give up to the bitter end. In the opening exchanges, Faversham look more than Canterbury’s equal, only to be blocked by some fierce tackling. The city side weathered the storm, and fifteen minutes into the half created a break in midfield for Alex Tucker to touch down, converted by Stevens. With the account now open Canterbury probed the right-wing defence for a try out wide for Finnan Langley, and ten minutes later it was Matt Capper busting through for his contribution to the try count. The Zingari were not finished with the approach of halftime determined to get in on the act Ren Geldenhuys ripped through his would-be tacklers to go under the posts and give Stevens the simple conversion on the stroke of halftime.

The Zingari having built a comfortable cushion were taken aback by the ferocity of Faversham’s opening onslaught splitting the Canterbury defence wide open for their first score of the afternoon. Shaken by this turn of events the Zingari regrouped to play some of their best rugby of the afternoon led by the forwards winning an extortionary number of turnovers at the breakdown, opening all sort of possibilities for both backs and forwards. First to benefit was Brad Alchurch who then proceeded to slot his own conversion, followed by Finnan Langley for his second of the afternoon, and the extra points to follow from Stevens. Brad Alchurch was on hand again for his second converted try, when Faversham always looking to attack when they had possession opened up the city defence to take one back. However, it was Canterbury who had the final word with Clive Johnson squeezing in the corner, followed by Alex Tucker breaking the line to go over near the posts for his second of the afternoon, and Stevens adding the extra points to wind up the proceedings.

​​​​
​Matt Capper​​ 1​
​Clive Johnson​​ 1
​Alex Tucker​​ 2
​Brad Alchurch​​ 2 + ​1 con
​Ren Geldenhuys​ 1
​Finnan Langley​ 2

​Kev Stevens​​​ 4 con

Match-Report-Sidcup-2nds-V-Pilgrims

Match report V Sidcup 2nds

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Won 8-62 (H-T 3-17). 

The pilgrims travelled to Sidcup at the weekend to continue their charge towards the league title. Another must win game saw the home side start well and were 3-0 up within the first three minutes from a penalty in front of the posts. Pilgrims came straight back with some good attacking play, but just could not get things going! A mixture of good and bad. Pilgrims won a scrum, against the head, a great drive by New Father, Alex Evans, to get the ball to Captain Dan Gill, who showed a great dummy pass, to cross the try line to score, only for Olly Ashley-Jones to crash the ball against the upright, 3-5 with thirteen minutes gone.

Sidcup fought back, and some poor defending allowed them to make good ground and to score what they thought was a try in the far corner, but a brilliant bit of defending stopped a certain try. Adam Malik came on for Will McColl. Olly was making some probing kicks, and getting good bounces, causing the home side problems, Vaughn Meredith stole the ball, again, and dodged through for a try, this time converted by Olly, 3-12 Pilgrims were still not in top gear, but they were wearing down the home side.

Then a moment that Presely Farrance will not want to remember on his debut. He was held down at the back of a ruck, and on getting free he lashed out at the culprit, with an open hand, and received a straight red card, with less than 30 minutes on the clock. A great pity, as he was having a really good game, someone to watch for in the future, once he has served his ban. Canterbury, would have to play 50 minutes with 14 players! In the remaining time left before half-time Adam Malik scored his first try for the Pilgrims, but Olly missed the conversion, 3-17. The half-time team talk was going to be important.

A great second half team performance then ensued. A great run by Vaughn Meredith saw his get the ball to Tom Halliday for the first of his four tries, this one under the posts so Olly had an easy conversion, 2-24, and this got Pilgrims the bonus point they needed. More pressure from the visitors,  Meredith playing well, Will ‘Bacon’ McColl making ground whenever he got the ball, they just could not get hold of him, it took three players at least to stop him, so gaps opened up. Luke Webber went on another of his rampaging runs and slipped the ball to Vaughn Meredith for his second try, duly converted 3-31. Sidcup scored an unconverted try, 8-31.

Brandon Dunkerley went on a surging run, passed to Ross Howard who gave it to Halliday, try number two, after an excellent run, unconverted, 8-36. It was then Olly’s turn to go on a great run, but he was tackled by their star played, who must have stopped at least 6 tries with superb tackling, on the twenty-two. Halliday got his hat-trick after a superb piece of work from second half star, Ollie Finn, converted by Olly Ashley-Jones, 8-43.

Luke Webber, the supporters ‘man of the match’, then scored a try, converted by Olly, 8-50. Jake Dengate was running the extra mile to support lone runners on many occasions, this proved vital at times, he, Sam Rogers, Jack Weaver and Jake Upward were all have good games, a true team performance with a player down! But it was not over, the away side piled on the pressure, Tom Halliday got his fourth, Olly converted, 8-57. Alex Evans went on another bulldozing run and gave the ball to Ross Howard to score out wide, this time not converted, 8-62, and the Pilgrims stay at the top of the league, one point ahead of Sevenoaks, with five to play.

This weekend they travel to 8th placed Westcombe Park before they play Dover 1st XV on Friday 24th under lights at the Marine Travel ground, at 7:30 in the evening.

Scorers:- Olly Ashley-Jones 12pts, Tom Halliday 20 pts, Vaughn Meredith 10 pts, Dan Gill, Adam Malik, Luke Webber and Ross Howard 5pts.

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Pilgrims v Sidcup

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Match report TJs V 1st XV

Match report – Tonbridge Juddians V Canterbury 1st XV

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS 29  CANTERBURY 31

by David HaighCanterbury snatched victory with a try in the final minute of this terrific Kent derby. It was a pulsating end to a game that swung first the city club’s way and then, in a  fiercely contested second half, to aresurgent Juddians. After overhauling Canterbury’s  fourteen point half time lead the home side thought they had won it through Tom White’s 79th minute penalty goal.  But one minute can be a long time in rugby and a committed Canterbury hurled themselves back into attack, kept the ball alive skillfully and fly half Frank Reynolds squeezed over by the corner flag.  To add to the tension there was a consultation between the referee and his assistant before the score was justly awarded.   After the capitulation at Dorking the previous week there was a new steel about Canterbury’s approach and the return of long term absentees like Tristan King, Sam Sterling and, from the replacements bench bench, Charlie Kingsman, gave Matt Corker’s squad a more balanced look. They fell behind to an early try from TJs centre Duncan Tout but hit back with three of their own and gave nothing away in defence before thebreak. A dominant lineout and clever turnovers served them well. Cameron Murray finished off a precise handling move for the first score, hooker Nathan Morris completed a catch and drive and, in the last minute of the half, skipper Jamie Stephens crashed through despite Canterbury losing Sterling to the sin bin. The first 20 minutes of the second half put the city side through their sternest test.  They defended brilliantly but lost Jesse Dr Vries to a yellow card and by the hour mark it was all square as the TJs backs produced tries for Bryan Hotston and Howard Packman, both converted by White. Having come through the fire Canterbury’s composure paid off as they worked a fourth, bonus point touch down for front row man Eoin O’Donoghue and Reynolds made his third successful conversion.  That seven point advantage was quickly wiped by the home side as Josh Van Buuren powered over the line and White brought the sides level again. When the experienced fly half nervelessly landed that late penalty goal it seemed like job done but Canterbury still had  last clear message; never write us off.Canterbury: W.Waddington, G.Hilton, S.Sterling, L.Hollidge (repl C.Kingsman), F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper (repl T.Williams), B.Young, N.Morris (repl E.O’Donoghue), D.Herriott (repl C.Macmillan), D.Irvine (repl N.Morris),  J.De Vries, T.King (repl H.Furneaux), C.Murray, J.Stephens

Match preview TJs V 1st XV

Match Preview – Tonbridge Juddians V Canterbury 1st XV

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Tonbridge Juddians v Canterbury

This was the game that should have been the pre-Christmas ‘derby’ but the weather intervened. After last week’s low key performance, there are changes to the squad. Injury and work commitments rule out Tyler Oliver and Tom Best but there is a return for centre Sam Sterling who has recovered from the bug that has affected a number of the senior squad.    Long term injury absentee Charlie Kingsman makes the replacements bench, ironically against the same opposition when he sustained serious thumb damage.

Head Coach Matt Corker writes: “One of the reasons I love rugby is because regardless of how complicated we make it, in essence, it is a simple game. Last week we did not match Dorking physically so we conceded 50 points. The game is great at giving you simple feedback. We are a proud team, representing a proud club and we know we have a responsibility to do the shirt justice every time we have the privilege of putting it on. During the Covid season, we produced a statement of why we play at Canterbury RFC, and the reason that we all collectively come to Canterbury is because we are “Creating an Environment to be proud of”. I believe this to be true and if we want to be an environment to be proud of we need to show how much it means to us to be a part of that.

“The shining light from the weekend was the Pilgrims win against Sevenoaks. A great performance in an entertaining game takes them to the top of the league for the first time this season. They have a good run of games ahead with some big clashes on the horizon as we enter the business end of the season.”

Match report - Thanet 3rds V Zingari

Match report – Thanet 3rds V Zingari

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Thanet 18pts. Canterbury 17pts

The Zingari suffered a setback in their East Kent League losing out to Thanet 3rd by the narrowest possible margin. This was a fiercely fought contest from the beginning as you would expect with these two sides, with most of the action taking place midfield. It was Canterbury who first managed the break through with a well taken break for Will Rayner to touch down, with Brad Allchurch conversion to follow. This spurred Thanet a few minutes later into action with an unconverted try of their own, Thanet maintained the pressure and were soon rewarded with their second try of the afternoon. The city defence tightened and looked to be managing the situation when on the stroke of halftime Thanet broke free from a maul outside the Canterbury twenty-two finding themselves in the clear to touch down.

At the turn round the halftime team talk must have worked as the city side clawed their way back bottling up Thanet in the midfield before making some probing attacks of their own, this eventually gave Will Rayner the chance to finish off his second try of the afternoon with Brad Allchurch adding the extras. With a single point now separating the two sides the city side put on the pressure, only to be blocked by a desperate Thanet defence. This held out until deep into stoppage time before they were forced into conceding a penalty converted by Allchurch to put the city side ahead. The referee decided there was still time for the restart that Canterbury gathered deep in their twenty-two when a moment of madness struck, instead of keeping the ball tight they decided to play the ball wide with disastrous consequences conceding a penalty to give Thanet the win with the last kick of the game.