Author: Denys Andrianjafy

Match Preview v Barnes

Match preview V Barnes

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury travel to West London on Saturday to meet third placed Barnes knowing that they have very rarely come second at the host club’s ground. Last season the game at Barn Elms ended in 20-20 draw and a squad buoyed by last week’s victory over Rochford Hundred will be looking to put in a strong performance. There are two selection changes with wing Guy Hilton returning after completing mandatory concussion protocols while front row man Eoin O’Donoghue joins Guy on the replacements bench.. This will be Eoin’s first team squad debut. Kick-off is 2.30 pm. The weather forecast for Barnes is light rain so supporters should come prepared as there is very little shelter at the ground. AT The Marine Travel Ground the Pilgrims take on Sidcup 2nd, a side currently one place above them in Counties Kent 2, kick-off 3 pm, and on Sunday the Womens’ team are at home to Kent rivals Medway Ladies with a 2.30 pm kick-off. Unfortunately, the 3rd team’s Kent Invicta league home fixture has been cancelled as opponents Beckenham cannot raise a side.

Head Coach Matt Corker writes: “Last Saturday, turning round at half time with a lead of 10 points to nil playing up the hill, we were in an identical situation to the game against Dorking. The growth in the team over the last few weeks really shone through in the next forty minutes and there were many positives that contributed to a strong win. The way we controlled the territorial battle and applied pressure through our kicking game was one of the biggest improvements. Another hallmark of a good performance was the composer that we showed after conceding two quick tries to narrow the scoreline. The team made a plan and stuck to it, and I feel you could see the clarity of purpose that this gave us.

Barnes are eight places above us in the table and have had some good wins in the first eight games but the important thing for us to focus on is that we are only separated by 10 points. Each weekend is an opportunity for us to climb the table but to do this we know our attention must be on getting better every week.”

Deacons back to their winning ways

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

The Deacons welcomed Folkestone 2nd XV to the MTG with the visitors having won their opening two games of the season and the Canterbury side looking to bounce back after their narrow 1-point defeat to Gravesend last time out.

The opening stages of the game set the tone for what was going to be a tough battle from both sides for the full 80 minutes. But it was the home side who would strike the first blow, a loose ball in midfield was hacked downfield by Canterbury fullback Ollie Simpson who gleefully chased, collected, and dotted down to put the Deacons in the lead.

Folkestone mounted then mounted a strong period of pressure with the Deacons struggling to get out of their own half and string any meaningful phases together. However another period of scrappy play around the halfway line opened up a huge gap for other winger Johnnie Gaylor to show a clean pair of heels and race away for the Deacons second of the game. But Folkestone were quickly back piling on the pressure and broke through to leave the score at 12-7 to the home side at the break.

The second half opened with as much intensity as the first had ended, with the 10 from Folkestone kicking them into great field positions. However, in a repeat of the first half, it was the deacons who opened the scoring again in the second half with a series of quick left-hand passes (Joe Pellet would be very proud) opening up a big overlap for Chris Wickington to race through and put the Deacons up 19-7.

A rare breakthrough the middle of the park saw captain James Limmer race towards the posts, only for the ref to controversially call the ball was held up. Protests fell on deaf ears as the skipper was reprimanded by the ref with the home team then conceding a penalty and being marched 10m back up the field.

Folkestone then pinned the Deacons in their own 22 for a prolonged period, the ball coming rushing back every time the Deacons looked to exit. The pressure then paid off with the visitors scoring a close-range effort after sapping the Deacons defence.

But it was the home side with the last laugh, as club stalwart Dan Mills offloaded elegantly in the middle of the park to set Ollie Simpson racing away under the posts for his second of the game.

The game finished 26-12 after a tough contest by both teams, with a man of the match performance dished out by Freddie Chapman on his deacons debut.

View match photos

Images may be subject to copyright – Lisa Godden
Girls Rugby Camp

Girls half term rugby camp

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Our Red Roses are now the most successful rugby team across all genders and nations, with 27 straight match wins, and a hopeful nation looking to World Cup glory in New Zealand. Women in sport are currently at the forefront with the successes of Our Roses and Lionesses to name but two.

In that spirit, Canterbury Rugby Club is running a Girls Rugby camp on October 26th and 27th at The Marine Travel Ground. Only £10 per day and run by RFU level 2 and 3 coaches. They will be focusing on specific game skills such as passing, catching, kicking, throwing, and of course, tackling. This camp is open to all levels.

Register now at – https://bit.ly/crfc-camp-girls-ht 

Grab your kit and we will see you there!

Sponsored by
SEC Works Group

Brian Pitchford

Brian Pitchford – Funeral details

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy
Brian Pitchford’s Funeral will be held at Barham on Thursday 20th October at 4 pm and then back to Canterbury Rugby Club. At Brian’s request, no flowers please. There will be donation boxes provided on the day. Casual clothes and sports clothing welcomed.
Please pass on this message far and wide.
Brian Pitchford

Brian Pitchford 1961 – 2022

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Over the past few months, we have lost a number of our members, and we are sad to report that Canterbury Hellfire Wheelchair Rugby Chairman Brian Pitchford sadly passed away in the early hours on the 1st of October 2022 aged 60. He was surrounded by his children Claire, Diane & Tony, and sisters Paola & Janice to whom we send our heartfelt condolences.Brian was, without doubt, a Black and Amber man who came to as many matches as his health allowed. He led the wheelchair section from the front as a player, coach, mentor, and a friend to everyone he met. He was a source of strength and inspiration for all who knew him, he was a brave and courageous man who will be dearly missed.The family will be gathering in the near future to celebrate his life and we will, of course, bring you those details as soon as we can.

Match Report - Bromley RFC Colts vs Canterbury Colts 1stXV

Match Report – Bromley RFC Colts vs Canterbury Colts 1st XV

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury Colts started their National Cup campaign strongly winning away 57-7 against Bromley RFC Colts.

An outstanding performance from the squad on their opening match of the season.

The boys definitely picked up where the season finished. They have worked incredibly hard in pre-season and their structure, fitness and discipline kept the scoreboard ticking in our favour.

Three tries a piece from Max Campbell and Stan Bull topped off a dominant game from the pair.

The Colts 2nd team narrowly lost in a hard-fought friendly against Aylesford Colts 1st team at home.
Their Kent league campaign opens up this coming Sunday away to Blackheath.
Click the image to enlarge
Match Report - Dover vs Pilgrims

Match report – Dover vs Pilgrims

Posted on | by 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 17th, 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.

Pilgrims vs Southwark Lancers

Match Report Pilgrims v Southwark Lancers

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

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

Match Preview vs Tonbridge Juddians

Match Preview

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

CANTERBURY V TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS

We go into the second round of National 2 East with a full blown Kent derby against a Tonbridge Juddians side smarting from a home defeat last week. We could not have wished for anything better than this fixture for the first home game of the new league season. The Canterbury side shows changes from the squad that made such a good start at North Waltham with injuries ruling out fly half Frank Reynolds (hamstring strain) and lock Jesse De Vries who took a knock to the head and stands down for a minimum two weeks under concussion protocols

Tyler Oliver and Tom Williams are still recovering from injuries sustained in pre-season games, In the starting line-up for the first time are back row players Cameron Murray and Harry Andrews while another newcomer, Harry Sansbury who has joined us from Westcombe Park, is in the squad together with Freddie Edwards.

Head Coach Matt Corker says:. “It feels great to be returning home after a long trip on the road last week at North Walsham. After a slow start, we came out after half time and showed how we want to play, and what we are capable of. In a 20-minute period we scored 26 points, and although we did concede a few tries late on, we were proud of the way we turned the game in our favour and earned 5 points in the process.

“I am looking forward to welcoming our rugby neighbours, Tonbridge Juddians to The Marine Travel Ground on Saturday. They return to our league after a season in National 1 and will be full of ambition to return at the soonest opportunity. They will have learnt a lot from their experiences in the league above and I am expecting the match to be a physical encounter, just like all the previous games between these two proud clubs.”

Canterbury; A.Moss, G.Hilton, W.Waddington, T.Best, F.Morgan, C. Kingsman, B.Cooper, B.Young, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens (captain), H.Andrews, A.Evans, C.Murray;

Replacements: A.Cooper ,E.Lusher, H.Sansbury, F.Edwards, W.Calder

CANTERBURY TALES

SURPRISE, SURPRISE

The National 2 East season got off to an intriguing start last week with defeats for Tonbridge Juddians and Worthing. With both clubs tipped to be strong title challengers those results, Judds losing at home to Rochford Hundred and Worthing away at Barnes, were a surprise. One game does, not, of course, define a whole season but it does suggest that this league is not going to be a walkover for any side. Worthing’s website put their defeat down to the absence of all their dual registered Harlequins players, none whom were available. Not a great advert for team building you might think Our own policy is now very much focused on producing young players through the club’s systems and surely that is the right way to go. One benefit of the revamped league set up was reduced travel. North Walsham away knocks that theory slightly on the head. The long trek to Norfolk last week was just like the bad old/good old days of National 2 South with the Summer festival of road works in full swing. Still, to play and win in front of a crowd of over 1000 made it worthwhile.

CHAMPION HILTONS

Last Saturday proved to be a good day for the Hilton brothers, Will and Guy. While Guy was strutting his stuff on the wing at North Walsham Will was playing a major role in St Lawrence and Highland Court cricket club’s successful title-winning promotion bid to reach the Kent League’s Premier division. Will, the team’s leading run scorer this season, added another half century to his total. For Guy, scoring our sixth try at North Walsham, it was a double celebration. As joint captain of St Lawrence & Highland Court second team he was able to dash back and join in the fun as his side also won promotion to the Second Team Premier division. For Will, it’s time now to ditch the whites and pull on the black and amber.