Author: Denys Andrianjafy

Club Mirror Awards 2022

Canterbury named top club

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury has been named Rugby Club of the Year at a National awards ceremony. The accolade came at the Club Mirror Awards in Leicester. The Club Mirror Media group champions licensed clubs across a wide field, including sport, and makes the awards annually. Canterbury were also finalists in the Social Media category. Chairman Giles Hilton, Club Secretary Sally Taylor, and Communications Manager Denys Andrianjafy accepted the award on behalf of the club. “This is really a recognition of us as an inclusive community club ” said Giles. “The great thing about the Club Mirror Awards is that they look at the activity of the club as a whole, So it really is testament to us as #OneClub.

Pilgrims vs Westcombe Park

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 42 WESTCOMBE PARK 2ND 14

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

A bonus point victory saw Pilgrims maintain their challenge to the leaders and consolidate their third place in Counties Kent 2. The winning margin may have been comfortable but Canterbury were made to work hard by ‘Combe before stretching away with two converted tries in the last ten minutes. Four first half tries put them in a strong position despite the visitors controlling much of the territory but they had to dig in after the break. Pilgrims took an early lead as they intercepted in their own half and Ollie Ashley-Jones scored and converted his own try. The visitors levelled matters with a catch and drive score and Canterbury’s poor discipline, punished by a mountain of penalties, hobbled their attack. When they did break free their extra pace told and the elusive Jack Weaver made inroads before Number Eight Luke Webber got the first of his two touchdowns. Weaver scored the third try after a scorching run from wing Adrian Geddes and in the final minute of the half a tapped penalty saw Webber plunge over again. With Ashley -Jones kicking flawlessly from the tee Pilgrims were 28-7 ahead and in control. ‘Combe responded positively after the break and a chip and chase try, which was converted, put them back in the picture. Pressure now built on a Pilgrims side which had lost fly half Liam Browne to injury and they had plenty to do in defence. They passed the test and then came that late surge with Tom Williams, in sharp form after a long injury lay-off, setting up a try for Tom Ashley-Jones. Brother Ollie, who ended up with a haul of seventeen points, made the break which saw Williams score the final try.

Pilgrims: J.Weaver, T.Ashley-Jones, A.Williams, J.Upward, A.Geddes, L.Browne, O.Ashley-Jones, A.Malik, B.Dunkerley, W.McColl, D.Gill, R.Knott, O.Finn, B.Howard, L.Webber, Replacements: T.Williams, S.Rogers, J.Everett

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Canterbury Pilgrims vs Westcombe Park

Images may be subject to copyright – Ken Matcham
Bury St Edmunds vs 1st XV

Late Effort Not Enough

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Bury St Edmunds 31 Canterbury 17by Andy RogersInjury and illness may have shaped selection for this league encounter at Bury – with four players making their first start of the season – but the outcome was all too familiar. Plenty of endeavour, particularly in the second half but by then the initiative had been lost and so had the game.

As in the previous week, Canterbury shipped their first try within two minutes when Bury winger Mick Stanway waltzed his way through a gaping hole in the defence. In trying to gain a foothold in the game the city side repeatedly failed to kick effectively, inviting Bury’s talented back three to run the ball wide. A 13th-minute try from No 8 Ruaraidh Williams stretched the home side’s lead to fourteen points.Guilty of far too many unforced errors and poor tactical kicking Canterbury did strike on 20 minutes when No 8 Tyler Oliver scored a pushover but whilst the hard work was there the precision needed was not. A further Bury try from Matt Bursey, converted by Kodie Hawkins, saw them go in at the break 21 – 5 to the good.

Twenty five minutes into the second half and Bury had put the game to bed with further tries from Ben Cooper, from a catch and drive, and full back Will Affleck’s interception and 60 metre sprint. It was an unlucky blow just as Canterbury were building some attacking momentum.

With the game now beyond them, the city side went on to grab two scores in the final ten minutes as they searched for a consolation losing bonus point. Relentless carrying from inspirational skipper Jamie Stephens led to tries for winger Guy Hilton and debutant loose head Cameron Macmillan, with Frank Reynolds adding one conversion. Alas, even that single point was to elude them.

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v Bury St Edmunds - 12 Nov 2022

images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Bury St Edmunds vs 1st XV

Match Preview

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

MATCH PREVIEW

Injury problems have dictated the shape of the squad which travels to Bury St Edmunds on Saturday. Wing Frankie Morgan and flanker Alex Evans miss out after picking up head knocks at Barnes and must follow concussion guidelines. Also out of contention is Will Calder who has a muscle strain. Sherif Lanre fills the wing vacancy and makes his first start in the senior team. A reshuffle in the pack sees Jesse De Vries return to the second row with captain Jamie Stephens moving to Number Six. New front row signing Cameron Macmillan joins the replacements bench where Elliot Lusher returns after recovering from illness. Kick-off is 3pm.

There is good and admission free league rugby at The Marine Travel Ground on Saturday with the Pilgrims, who now sit third in Counties Kent 2, hosting Westcombe Park 2nd. Kick-off is 3pm and there are pre-match lunches available. Our 3rd are also at home to Sevenoaks 3rd.

CANTERBURY TALES

COODBYE AND THANKS ‘COOPS’

Last weekend saw the final appearance in a Canterbury shirt of prop Aaron Cooper who is joining Westcombe Park. ‘Coops’ has been an important and popular player for both the club and the Kent County team since joining from Dover in 2016. The game at Barnes last week was his 136th appearance for the first team. Typical of the great club man he has been Aaron cut short a holiday to join the squad at Barnes when Elliot Lusher had to withdraw through illness. Without Aaron we would have been short of the mandatory front row cover required in league games so we owe him a real debt.. At ‘Combe he will make it a family affair as he joins brother Joe on the player roster.

WELCOME CAMERON

Stepping into Aaron Cooper’s boots is Cameron Macmillan, a Scotland Under 20 and Glasgow Warriors Under 20 loose head prop who can play across the front row positions, He is due to make his first appearance in the Bury St Edmunds game where he is among the bench replacements. Cameron joins us from Scotland Super Six side Stirling Wolves.

Heart screening

Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS)

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged 35 and under die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. This is Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS).

Of the 600 young sudden cardiac deaths that occur each year, 80% are in people with no prior symptoms. Identification prior to death is only possible with cardiac screening.

Through screening services, it has been discovered that 1 in 300 young people screened are identified as carrying a serious cardiac condition. The results have also shown that 1 in 100 screened will have a less serious cardiac condition that could cause health problems in later life.

Since many cases of SDS are preventable, if heart conditions are detected and treated, lives can be saved. For example, in Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, the incidence of young sudden cardiac death has been reduced by 89%.

Screening with an  Electrocardiogram (ECG) is aimed at identifying people with conditions such as cardiomyopathies or electrical faults of the heart. An ECG records the natural electrical activity of a person’s heart. The heart produces electrical impulses which cause the heart to contract. Small stickers known as electrodes are placed on the chest and the wires connect to an ECG machine whilst you lie still. The machine can detect these impulses and therefore tell if there is a problem with the heart. A printout of the heart’s electrical activity is obtained for evaluation by the cardiologist.

Heart screening is also about building an understanding of these conditions as every person evaluated contributes towards more efficient diagnoses in the future.

This test is painless, non-invasive, and takes only a few minutes to perform.

Canterbury Rugby Club & Screening

We at Canterbury Rugby Club take SDS very seriously and want to ensure that all our young athletes are given access to an ECG screening as described above.

We are therefore delighted to announce that screenings have been arranged for the weekend of 19th and 20th November 2022 at the Marine Travel Ground with appointments available between 0900 and 1600 on each day.

We are also pleased to announce that the screening will be free of charge because we simply feel that this is too important to be missed.

Appointments are only available to player members aged 14 – 35 (inclusive) and because the application process for obtaining an appointment involves the completion of a health questionnaire and may make medical history enquiries, you must make the appointment yourself or on behalf of your child.

If you fit the above criteria contact members@cantrugby.co.uk now for details on how to book your appointment.

Please don’t miss this screening opportunity.

Barnes vs 1st XV

Late try wins bonus

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

BARNES 37  CANTERBURY 26By David HaighHaving donated victory to Barnes with a dreadful first half performance, Canterbury hauled themselves off the floor to win won a losing bonus point from the final play of the match. At half time they were trailing by twenty two points and when the home side ran in their fourth try six minutes after the break the city club’s prospects looked even bleaker. Then, late in the day, they became serious competitors and scored three converted tries. There was too much ground to make up to snatch a victory but the lift in momentum was welcome after Barnes had clearly been the better side.   They went ahead in the first minute when Rory Kassapian easily brushed off the tacklers on his way to the line and Simon Keller converted.  It was the first of several gifts Canterbury offered and were eagerly accepted in that first 40 minutes when the home side looked dangerous every time they had the ball. Keller scored and converted the second try after his pack had done the spadework and the fly half added two penalty goals before Canterbury made any impression.  Cameron Murray’s close range try offered a glimpse of daylight but that was snuffed out within three minutes when the gift package was opened again. A pass to no one in particular was seized on by Barnes and Josh Souter left Josh Davies a simple conversion.   The signs that Canterbury might have something to contribute emerged early second half with strong carrying from replacement Alex Evans and the consistent Murray.  That didn’t prevent Barnes full back Paddy McDuell from setting up the bonus point try  for Will Lewin when he turned  a clearance kick into an opportunity and stretched the lead to twenty seven. But now came the shift in fortunes. Despite struggling at the set scrums the city club started to find territory. Frank Morgan was  held up over the line before the backs worked space for Guy Hilton who sent Ben Cooper in for the touchdown. Frank Reynolds converted before there was another set back with a Barnes try for James Crabtree.  However,  Canterbury were now the confident team as Barnes collected two yellow cards and Eoin O’Donoghue, on his senior debut, completed a driving maul with the third try. The forwards then won the bonus point in the final minute as Nathan Morris powered over. Respect if not victory had been restored.Canterbury; R.Howard, (repl T.Halliday), G.Hilton, W.Waddington T.Best, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper, B.Young, N.Morris (repl E.O’Donoghue). D.Herriott (repl A.Cooper), D.Irvine, (repl A.Evans), J.Stephens, H.Andrews, C.Murray, T.Oliver.

Pilgrims vs Sidcup 2

Pilgrims vs Sidcup 2

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Another hard fought game at the Marine travel ground. The Pilgrims started well, but with wind, a wet surface and a slippery pitch, they knocked on too often. Then from a line out, the ball got to Vaughn Meredith, who skipped past the Sidcup defence to score a good try, but Ollie Ashley-Jones failed to convert, 5-0.

Vaughn then went on a 40 metres run, a few more good runs followed, then Ollie got involved with a kick and chase, which just ran out before he and Sherif got there!

Then Sidcup got to grips with the wet and windy conditions. Some poor play by the home side allowed the visitors to gain some territorial advantage. Canterbury then put some great drives together, but could not break the Sidcup defence. Then after another good set of drives, Jack Weaver dived over for a great try, this time Ollie hit the crossbar, 10-0.

The game was getting scrappy, penalties were given to both sides, Pilgrims were playing some good rugby, but were making poor choices in the conditions. Ollie Finn and Jake Dengate were making good yardage. The half-time lead of 10-0 was poor, the second half was going to be interesting!

Early Sidcup pressure, a certain try was avoided because they dropped the ball just short of the line! Within a minute they had scored a converted try, 10-7. Things were not looking good for the home side! Canterbury got a penalty and Ollie Ashley-Jones kicked, 13-7. Within minutes Sidcup got a penalty, between the posts, but missed. Could this be the Pilgrims lucky day. The home side were getting the rough end of the deal in many decisions, maybe it was not going to be their day!

Lots of penalties, but no cards.

Then after a lot of pressure, and a decision going their way, for once, Jake Dengate, Man of the Match, scored, Ollie converted 20-7. Jesse de Vries was leading the pack, Vaughn Meredith was leading the backs, a good team performance, with decisions just not going their way!

In the dying minutes Dan Gill received a Yellow card, but the game was won, but without a bonus point. The pilgrims moved back into third place, the leaders Sevenoaks. Lost to Park House, the league is hotting up.

This weekend Westcombe Park visit the Marine Travel ground. Don’t miss another clash of the Titans. Kick off 3:00 under lights. Book a lunch on line. Have a day out.

Won 20-7 (H-T 10-0) Ollie Ashley-Jones 2+3 (5), Dengate, Weaver, Meredith 5.

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.

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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