Denys Andrianjafy, Author at Canterbury Rugby Club

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 EAST	View League Table
PRE-SEASON
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
17-Aug-24	Esher	H	26 - 45
24-Aug-24	Harpenden	A	7 - 52
30-Aug-24	Blackheath	H	12 - 41
NATIONAL EAST LEAGUE 2
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
07-Sep-24	Colchester	H	53 - 13
14-Sep-24	Sevenoaks	A	27 - 14
21-Sep-24	Worthing	H	49 - 21
28-Sep-24	Guernsey	A	41 - 23
05-Oct-24	Havant	H	36 - 31
12-Oct-24	Westcombe Park	H	39 - 22
19-Oct-24	Tonbridge Juddians	A	40 - 24
26-Oct-24	Barnes	H	13 - 22
09-Nov-24	Old Albanian	A	17 - 54
16-Nov-24	Bury St Edmunds	H	59 - 35
23-Nov-24	Henley	A	17 - 16
07-Dec-24	Oxford Harlequins	H	31 - 10
14-Dec-24	Dorking	A	34 - 35
21-Dec-24	Sevenoaks	H	35 - 22
11-Jan-25	Worthing	A	PP
18-Jan-25	Guernsey	H	24 - 15
25-Jan-25	Havant	A	5 - 61
01-Feb-25	Worthing	A	25 - 29
08-Feb-25	Westcombe Park	A	22 - 18
15-Feb-25	Tonbridge Juddians	H	23 - 46
01-Mar-25	Barnes	A	45 - 35
08-Mar-25	Old Albanian	H	18 - 21
15-Mar-25	Bury St Edmunds	A	38 - 40
22-Mar-15	Henley	H	31 - 28
05-Apr-25	Oxford Harlequins	A	29 - 66
12-Apr-25	Dorking	H	42 - 35
26-Apr-25	Colchester	A

WOMEN'S NC 1 SOUTH EAST (SOUTH)	View League Table
PRE-SEASON
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP SOUTH EAST 2
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
15-Sep-24	Horsham Women	A	43 - 30
22-Sep-24	Medway ladies	H	24 - 22
13-Oct-24	Dartford Valley Ladies	A	75 - 14
20-Oct-24	Heathfield & W Ladies	A	HWO
10-Nov-24	Jersey RFC Women	H	58 - 19
24-Nov-24	Pulborough Women	A	0 - 48
15-Dec-24	Tonbridge Juddian Ladies	H	HWO
05-Jan-24	Medway ladies	A	0 - 10
19-Jan-24	Dartford Valley Ladies	H	36 - 0
09-Feb-25	Heathfield & W Ladies	A	15 - 7
23-Feb-25	Jersey RFC Women	A	20-22
09-Mar-25	Pulborough Women	H	HWO
23-Mar-25	Tonbridge Juddian Ladies	H	HWO
06-Apr-24	Horsham Women	H	30 - 26

COUNTIES 1 KENT	View League Table
PRE-SEASON
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
24-Aug-24	Deal and Betteshanger Lions	A	MATCH CANCELLED
31-Aug-24	Gravesend 1st	H	0 - 10
COUNTIES 1 KENT
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
07-Sep-24	Crowborough	A	15 - 21
14-Sep-24	Sevenoaks II	H	43 - 17
20-Sep-24	Ashford	H	38 - 7
28-Sep-24	Charlton Park	H	HWO
12-Oct-24	Park House	A	9 - 15
19-Oct-24	Deal & Betteshanger	H	43 - 7
26-Oct-24	Bromley	A	35 - 29
09-Nov-24	Beccehamian	H	45 - 7
16-Nov-24	Dover	A	25 - 45
23-Nov-24	Cranbrook	A	0 - 38
07-Dec-24	Heathfield & Waldron	H	26 - 3
14-Dec-24	Sevenoaks II	A	47 - 24
21-Dec-24	Ashford	A	3 - 76
04-Jan-25	Charlton Park	H	71 - 12
11-Jan-25	Park House	H	67 - 12
18-Jan-25	Deal & Betteshanger	A	15 - 54
01-Feb-25	Bromley	H
15-Feb-25	Beccehamian	A	20 - 27
01-Mar-25	Dover	H	43 - 19
08-Mar-25	Cranbrook	H	HWO
22-Mar-25	Heathfield & Waldron	A	7 - 27
05-Apr-25	Crowborough	H	38 - 22

COUNTIES 4 KENT	View League Table
PRE-SEASON
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
31-Aug-24	Gravesend 2	H	5 - 3
COUNTIES 4 KENT
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
07-Sep-24	Medway III	H	60 - 12
14-Sep-24	Sheppey	A	33 - 44
21-Sep-24	Rye	H	52 - 33
28-Sep-24	Dartfordians II	A	26 - 27
12-Oct-24	Old Colfeians II	H	28 - 17
19-Oct-24	Foots Cray	A	14 - 31
26-Oct-24	Kings College Hospital	H	26 - 7
09-Nov-24	Bromley II	A	13 - 29
16-Nov-24	Cliffe Crusaders	H	19 - 14
23-Nov-24	Old Williamsonians	H	12 - 19
07-Dec-24	Faversham	A	19 - 39
14-Dec-24	Sheppey	H	55 - 0
21-Dec-24	Rye	A	7 -12
04-Jan-25	Dartfordians II	H	45 - 19
11-Jan-25	Old Colfeians II	A	PP
18-Jan-25	Foots Cray	H	102 - 5
25-Jan-25	Old Colfeians II	A	19 - 19
01-Feb-25	Kings College Hospital	A
15-Feb-25	Bromley II	H	46 - 22
01-Mar-25	Cliffe Crusaders	A	22 - 27
08-Mar-25	Old Williamsonians	A	22 - 14
22-Mar-25	Faversham	H	HWO
5-AprIl-25	Medway III	A	12 - 34

KENT RURAL B	View League Table
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
14-Sep-24	SHEPPEY 2NDS	H	PP
21-Sep-24	LEIGH 1ST	A	34 - 46
28-Sep-24	GRAVESEND 3RDS	H	36 - 24
05-Oct-24	DEAL 2NDS	A	57 - 24
12-Oct-24	VIGO 2	A	HWO
19-Oct-24	MAIDSTONE 2	H	AWO
26-Oct-24	THANET 3	A	52 - 12
2-Nov-24	SHEPPEY 2	H	19 - 38
09-Nov-24	SITTINGBOURNE 2	H	21 - 60
30-Nov-24	LEIGH	H	35 - 12
14-Dec-24	SHEPPEY 2	A	AWO
04-Jan-25	GRAVESEND 3	A	40 - 29
11-Jan-25	VIGO 2	H	PP
18-Jan-25	MAIDSTONE 2	A	12 - 35
25-Jan-25	ASHFORD BARBARIANS	H	5 - 41
01-Feb-25	THANET 3	H	10 - 39
08-Feb-25	VIGO 2	H	72 - 0
15-Feb-25	SITTINGBOURNE 2	A	66 - 0
22-Mar-25	ASHFORD BARBARIANS	A	15 - 22
05-Apr-25	DEAL 2	H	31 - 30

KENT RURAL C	View League Table
Date	Opposition	Venue	Score
14-Sep-24	NEW ASH GREEN 2	H	HWO
21-Sep-24	DEAL 3	A	10 - 34
05-Oct-24	FAVERSHAM 2	A	PP
19-Oct-24	GRAVESEND 4	A	35 - 19
09-Nov-24	OLD GRAVESENDIANS 2	H	22 - 29
16-Nov-24	GILLINGHAM 2	A	PP
23-Nov-24	LORDSWOOD 2	H	HWO
30-Nov-24	DEAL 3	H	27 - 10
07-Dec-24	WHITSTABLE 2	A	20 - 20
14-Dec-24	NEW ASH GREEN 2	A
25-Jan-25	GRAVESEND 4	H	34 - 24
1-Feb-2025	GILLINGHAM 2	A	36 - 21
15-Feb-25	OLD GRAVESENDIANS 2	A	12 - 14
01-Mar-25	GILLINGHAM 2	H	33 - 14
08-Mar-25	LORDSWOOD 2	A	AWO
29-Mar-25	WHITSTABLE 2	H

Alison Williams’ Funeral

Posted on 12th January 2022 | by Denys Andrianjafy

A message from Ben and Sam Williams with details of their mother, Alison’s, funeral.

Funeral details for Mum

Dear All

Once again, we must beat the sad drum of time and let you know that after one hell of a fight it is finally time to say goodbye to a mother, friend, colleague, and incredible lady that was Alison Williams.

Her funeral will be held on Friday 28th January 2022, at 2.40pm at

Barham Crematorium
Canterbury Road (A260)
Barham
Nr Canterbury
Kent CT4 6QU

There is a celebration of her life afterward at Canterbury Rugby Club Merton Lane North, Canterbury CT4 7DZ

All are welcome, though if you are attending both the funeral and the celebration, we would ask that you please contact Kirsty Walder on kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk and confirm, to assist us with the catering. We can’t wait to share a beer and a story and let’s see her off in the style that she deserves.

She did however have some requests:

For years Mum told us that she didn’t want anyone to wear black to her funeral and in her notes we can tell you she really meant it! She would like everyone to turn up in as colourful clothing as they feel comfortable and has threatened to come and haunt anyone who turns up in black – so probably best not!

She also only wanted family flowers and Alison has requested that instead of flowers donations to ’The Alison Williams Foundation’ a Charitable Foundation created through Canterbury Rugby Club to establish an Academy for boys, girls, underprivileged and disabled to further their attainment in rugby.

As you might expect from Alison there will be buckets on each door at Barham on the day to raise money.

Payments can be made to The Canterbury Rugby Charity

Handelsbanken, Canterbury Rugby Charity Sort Code 40-51-62 Account no. 24746710

Or cheques can be sent to;
Kirsty Walder
Canterbury Rugby Charity
Canterbury RFC
Merton Lane North
Nackington Road
Canterbury
CT47AZ

Please understand that through sheer volume of response it is impossible for us to reply to everyone but your voices have all been heard and hugely appreciated. We look forward to see you on the day and in between wish everybody happiness, peace and love as you continue your journey through this game of life.

Big hugs, kisses, cuddles, hand shakes or whatever you feel appropriate.

Ben and Sam

Canterbury Women vs Blackheath 2s

Posted on 11th January 2022 | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury Women’s first match of 2022 was a top of the table clash against Blackheath 2s, the only team to have beaten the side this season. Before the game both sides paid tribute to Alison Williams, who passed away this week. Alison was instrumental for many years in the administration of Canterbury Rugby Club and was a constant advocate for the women’s team. Many past players will have fond memories of her cheering on the side lines with her dog Snoopy.

Canterbury Women celebrated her life and passion for rugby in the best way with an impressive team performance, where everyone wore the Canterbury jersey with pride and a huge smile! This was a game played with incredible team spirit, positivity and running rugby which resulted in six converted tries.

Poor discipline and difficult decisions from the referee made Canterbury’s life hard for the first 25 minutes. As the minutes ticked by, Canterbury regained some composure, before an impressive break and some deft handling allowed Hannah Sheppard to break over the line and put some points on the board. This score provided Canterbury with some much-needed momentum, and two further tries, by Jess Pettafor and Anneka Willis, followed before the half-time break.

Half-time saw the coaches discuss discipline and strategies to exploit holes in Blackheath’s defence. The side came out with renewed vigour, with Canterbury dominating throughout the second half. Canterbury took control of set pieces, securing their own and Blackheath’s line outs. Fluid offloads, opportunistic turnovers, and dynamic breaks from both forwards and backs meant Canterbury had the bulk of the possession and some exciting phases of play, resulting in a second try for Anneka Willis.

Building on recent training sessions, the team ran outstanding support lines, allowing club stalwart Claire Bernthal to score her third try in three games. Pressure from Canterbury, camped on the Blackheath line, meant a poorly executed clearance kick by Blackheath was swiftly converted into a hat-trick try for Anneka Willis.

Ultimately, Canterbury secured a 42-7 win which ensures the team remain top of the league at the start of 2022.

Royce Cadman – 200 caps for Canterbury

Posted on 10th January 2022 | by Denys Andrianjafy

Congratulations to our mighty number 4 Royce Cadman on his 200th appearance for Canterbury 1st XV this weekend. Royce made his league debut against Clifton at home in 2013 and has been a regular first-team player since.

Looking back on his Canterbury career, Royce reflects that victories against teams that have risen to higher leagues are always memories to savour, but being a part of the squad that earned Canterbury promotion to National League 1 is the one of which he is most proud.

Tom Best – 250 caps for Canterbury

Posted on 10th January 2022 | by Denys Andrianjafy

Congratulations to Tom Best on his 250th appearance for Canterbury this weekend. He remembers his first game being against Southend away (2009/10 season), only being called up early game day morning due to a fellow player having suffered an asthma attack. Not a lot of time to prepare, but he pulled on his boots and worked a good shift for us as ever.

Tom has many fond memories of playing with the team, beating Hartpury away (2012/13 season) by 1 point, and kicking a 35-yard penalty in the last 2 minutes when we were 28-0 down at halftime would have to be up there, but scoring the last try against Henley in the last few minutes to win the game to get us to the playoffs is definitely one of the fondest.

Ben Williams Tribute to Alison Williams at 1St XV vs Old Albanian game

Canterbury 1st XV vs Old Albanian

Posted on 9th January 2022 | by Denys Andrianjafy

CANTERBURY 3pts OLD ALBANIAN 12pts

by David Haigh

Having worked themselves into a decent position, with a solid first half shift, Canterbury let this first game of the new year drift away. A failure to back up all their good work against the rain and wind was dispiriting and reinforced the feeling that they are not an effective wet weather side. The visitors, whose 7-3 interval lead had looked fragile, took control of the second half and on a day when points were always difficult to come by found the score that mattered. It was in similar conditions earlier this season that the city club failed to register a point against Dings Crusaders. This time they managed a solitary penalty goal from Tom Best, despite dominating territory for much of the first half, winning the breakdown battle and forcing Albanians into conceding a string of penalties. Canterbury lost their slim lead after 28 minutes when a wind-driven Albanians kick led to a goal-line dropout. Centre Alex Brown collected it and his powerful run into the heart of the defence created the pressure for a try from Number Eight Chris West, converted by Greg Lound. Late in the half the city side resisted more heavy pressure and must have headed for the break the happier of the two teams. Any optimism, however, was misplaced as Albanians, prompted by scrum half Elliot McPhun, read the situation perfectly, controlled possession, kicked shrewdly and took their opportunity when it arose. McPhun’s quick tapped penalty had Canterbury backpedalling and wing Alex Noot was released for a sprint finish. It left Canterbury with 25 minutes to take a grip but they were rarely allowed to build momentum. In the whole of the half they created no more than two scoring positions and missed out on both of them. Left to chase the game they became increasingly ragged and out of tune with the no-frills rugby the conditions demanded.

Canterbury: A.Moss (repl F.Reynolds), S.Sterling, W.Waddington, T.Best, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds (repl K.Braithwaite), T.Williams (repl B.Cooper), B.Young (repl W.McColl), W.McColl (repl A.Cooper) A.Cooper (repl A.Evans) , R.Cadman, S.Churchyard (repl J.De Vries), J.Stephens, T.King, T.Oliver

View match photos

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Alison Williams 1949-2022

Posted on 4th January 2022 | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury Rugby Club is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Alison. Our condolences go out to her sons, Ben and Sam, and to Ian Williams. In recent years she has been a wonderful servant to the club as our honorary secretary but her involvement goes back many decades.

Born Alison Helen Turner in 1949, she trained at the Rose Bruford drama school in Sidcup in 1970. Later she was an imaginative and innovative teacher. She enthusiastically supported the fortunes of the club and formed enduring friendships with many players from that era such as Roland Bailey, whom she later cared for when dementia struck.

She and Ian had two sons, Ben (1978) and Sam (1980), who were soon playing in the minis and juniors. She was always present on the touchline, always willing to help and always happy to sponsor the junior club. In recent years, she has been at the club cheering on her grandchildren.

Later, she became a successful businesswoman, in 2000 founding and expanding her field-marketing firm, FDS, a national company based in Whitstable.

Her major contribution was when chairman, Giles Hilton, persuaded her to take on the role of club secretary. Her ‘no nonsense’, ‘can do’ approach gave impetus to many improvements to the clubhouse and to the management of the club. One major initiative were the pre-match lunches: under her guidance as “lunch monitor”, they grew from small get-togethers in the club bar to being an important part of 1^st XV match days, regularly attracting 150 or more, adding to the craic of the occasion and substantially contributing to the club’s finances.

Alison was not only a tremendous servant to Canterbury Rugby but an example to us all in the way she twice fought cancer with courage and amazing will power. She will be remembered for her kindness and support for others. Club President Greg Mayne’s words reflect the thoughts of all who met her: “We were lucky to have known her and to have had so many extra years with her.”

The club elected her a life member and created a garden in her name. It will be carefully tended in her memory. The funeral arrangements will be announced in due course

End of year message from our Chairman

Posted on 22nd December 2021 | by Denys Andrianjafy

A peaceful and happy Christmas is my hope for everyone associated with the club at the end of a strange and challenging year. Despite the problems we have all faced there have been good things to record, not least the support that players, members, sponsors, supporters, and staff have given. It has kept our club in vibrant health with enhanced facilities, including a popular restaurant and a new gymnasium, thanks to a wonderful team and community effort. The return of competitive rugby in September revived everyone’s spirits and despite the fresh challenges that Covid is bringing I am confident we are ready to meet them in the New Year.

My best wishes to you all for the festive season.

Chocolates for the NHS

Posted on 20th December 2021 | by Denys Andrianjafy

A Corker of a Christmas

Canterbury Rugby Club has always had a close bond with our, NHS as supporters, players, and even the odd President: but most importantly as patients and friends and relatives of patients.

This year we set ourselves a challenge to collect a mountain of chocolate taller than our Head Coach Matt Corker, he stands at 6ft 6 (even had a scrum half chocolate orange left over).

Because of your generosity, our rugby family, we achieved it.

The chocolates went to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and the vaccination center in Vauxhall road run by Northgate Medical Practice.

A massive thank you to all those that donated, it makes a difference to those truly in the Front Row on which we all depend, not just for 80 minutes, but every minute of every day.

The only present better than chocolates is to make sure we all get our boosters, and stay alert

Merry Christmas!

Guy Hilton – 100 caps for Canterbury

Posted on 19th December 2021 | by Denys Andrianjafy

Congratulations to Guy Hilton on his 100th appearance for Canterbury. His first run out for the team was in the 2013/14 season at home vs Chinnor. A match we won 20-13, so a great debut!

Wins against the bigger sides always stick out in the memory but Guy’s fondest playing memory wouldn’t be one particular game but rather a run of games. In the December of 2013/14 season, Canterbury beat Ampthill (H) Bishops Stortford (A), and Cambridge (H) in consecutive games to put us 2nd in the table at Christmas.

Canterbury 1st XV vs Guernsey Raiders

Posted on 19th December 2021 | by Denys Andrianjafy

CANTERBURY 29pts GUERNSEY 17pts

Canterbury gave the Christmas crowd just the present they wanted with this five try, bonus point victory. In a performance that shone through the heavy mist shrouding Merton Lane they tamed a lively Guernsey side with a dominant second half display.

There was quality as well a quantity from the city club as they ran in three tries after the interval, two of them scored while playing short handed with Kyan Braithwaite in the sin bin.

A confident back division made light work of that handicap, rewarding the turn over expertise of a combative pack handsomely. The foundations were laid in a shrewd first half display as Canterbury shrugged off a Guernsey try from wing Anthony Armstrong, converted by Dan Rice, and edged in front before the break. Frank Reynolds charge down try came after sustained pressure, Braithwaite converted, and in the last minute of the half they went ahead. The versatile Tristan King, this week starting as a flanker, made a decisive break. When the ball was recycled he was on the end of good handling to make the touchdown. A Canterbury weakness this season has been the failure to capitalise on half time leads; they did not make that mistake this time. Playing with real purpose they forged further ahead after 55 minutes. Replacements Will Waddington, making the break, and Ben Cooper combined for Cooper’s try which left Braithwaite a simple conversion. The moment that might have derailed them came with the yellow card as Guernsey hammered at the Canterbury line. That sparked a fierce response as a great turnover set the backs free, Dwayne Corcoran chipped over the last defender and Aiden Moss won the race for the touchdown.

Guernsey hit back quickly through fly half Owen Thomas, to narrow the gap to twelve points, but classy handling saw Corcoran kill their slim hopes as he skewered them for a fifth try. Consolation of sorts went to Guernsey with a last minute score from Number Eight Doug Horrocks, but the result was beyond doubt by that time.

Canterbury: A.Moss, G.Hilton, F.Morgan, K.Braithwaite, D.Corcoran, F.Reynolds (repl T.Best), T.Williams (repl B.Cooper), B.Young, (rep R.Conlon), W.McColl, (repl W.Waddington), D.Herriott, R.Cadman, J.De Vries, J.Stephenson (repl V.Meredith), T.King, T.Oliver

TEAM	DATE	OPPOSITION	VENUE	SCORE
Men's XV	26-Sep-24	Kings Dev XV	A	7-0
Men's XV	05-Oct-24	CRFC Dev XV	A	40-24
Men's XV	10-Oct-24	Kent College 1st XV	A	37-22
Men's XV	17-Oct-24	The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Dev XV	A	50-0
Men's XV	13-Nov-24	Simon Langton	H
Women's XV	14-Nov-24	Simon Langton	A
Men's XV	28-Nov-24	Kings	H
Men's XV	4-Dec-24	Canterbury Academy	H
Men's XV	12-dec-24	Kent College	H